Are you an older adult experiencing back or spinal pain? You’re not alone. Back pain is a common issue, and it’s often treated with pain medications like opioids. However, a recent study suggests that chiropractic care may play a role in reducing the need for these medications.
Key Findings of the Study:
A study published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies in June 2022 looked at Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older with spinal pain. The study involved over 55,000 participants, highlighting the potential impact of chiropractic care on opioid use in this population.
The researchers found that:
- Older adults who received chiropractic care were significantly less likely to fill an opioid prescription (56% lower risk).
- This benefit was most noticeable when patients sought chiropractic care early, within the first 30 days of their diagnosis.
What This Means for You:
This research suggests that chiropractic care could be a valuable option for managing spinal pain in older adults, potentially reducing reliance on opioid medications. Opioids can have serious side effects and risks, especially for older individuals who may be taking other medications.
Chiropractic Care: A Non-Drug Approach:
Chiropractors use a variety of non-drug techniques to treat back and spinal pain, including:
- Spinal manipulation: Gentle adjustments to the spine to improve alignment and reduce pain.
- Exercises: Specific stretches and exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
- Lifestyle advice: Recommendations on posture, ergonomics, and other factors that can contribute to back pain.
Conclusion:
Chiropractic care offers a promising, non-pharmacological approach to managing spinal pain in older adults, and this recent research provides further evidence of its potential benefits. Avoiding an opioid prescription in even a small proportion of older patients with spinal pain, apart from benefitting the individuals greatly, could impart huge savings in the healthcare system in general as the downstream negative consequences of opioid use could be avoided.
Reference:
Whedon JM, Uptmor S, Toler AW, Bezdjian S, MacKenzie TA & Kazal LA. Association between chiropractic care and use of prescription opioids among older medicare beneficiaries with spinal pain: a retrospective observational study. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2022; 30: 5.
Written by Dr. Simpson Leung
