Chiropractic medicine is one of the least invasive and most effective ways to treat chronic pain. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way of managing pain without prescription drugs or surgery.
October is Chiropractic Health Care Month. Every year, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) uses the month of October to educate the public about the benefits of chiropractic treatment for chronic pain and spinal issues.
This year, their focus is “Back to Basics,” with the intention of reminding the public of the importance of maintaining good spinal health throughout their lives.
What Does Back to Basics Mean?
Getting back to basics for the ACA means educating people about the important role that spinal health plays in their everyday lives. People who do physical labor must be careful not to hurt their backs, but people in sedentary jobs are at risk, too.
The “Back to Basics” campaign is designed to emphasize simple methods of maintaining good spinal health, preventing spinal injuries, and getting the proper nutrition to live a healthy life.
Chiropractic doctors focus on a holistic approach to healing, preferring non-invasive methods of treating pain. The practice of chiropractic medicine is not new, but now more medical doctors are recommending non-drug treatments for pain, including chiropractic treatments.
New Guidelines for the Use of Opioid Drugs for Pain
As awareness of the growing opioid epidemic increases, a growing number of doctors are hesitant to prescribe pain medication for their patients. Instead, they’re recommending non-invasive treatments that eschew drugs.
The Joint Commission, an organization that accredits all major hospitals in the United States, recently released new guidelines regarding the treatment of pain that will go into effect in January, 2018.
Specifically, they said that hospitals must provide non-drug pain treatments to their patients. They have also provided guidelines for the safe prescription and use of opioid drugs.
This marks a significant change from the way pain was treated just a few years ago. Patients are learning that chiropractic treatments can provide real and lasting relief from pain because chiropractors identify the root cause of pain and treat it instead of masking the pain with drugs – and that means that patients don’t have to deal with the unpleasant side effects and risk of addiction that come with prolonged use of pain medication.
David Herd, DC, is the president of the ACA. He points out, “Almost everyone experiences back pain at some point in their lives, and more people are becoming interested in non-drug approaches to treatment.” Throughout the month of October, the ACA will be educating the public about the benefits of chiropractic care and injury prevention. You can visit their website to learn more.
