Why You Should Avoid Drugs for Back Pain

Chiropractic is based on the philosophy of aiding your body to naturally heal through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that promote overall health. For Robert C Slater, DC, this means working to reestablish your body's healthy performance to prevent the need for drugs or surgical treatments. We notice that most of our Highland Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota patients are relieved to find a natural answer for their health conditions.

One advantage of chiropractic care is that it helps people reduce or even eliminate the use of narcotics. Medications are frequently supplied to individuals who have back problems. This is such a significant crisis that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a report stating that opioid (painkiller) dangers overshadow the benefits when prescribed for back pain.

Some of the most common narcotics, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Statistics presented by the AAN cite the fact that roughly 50% of the patients taking these types of substances for a period of three months are still taking them five years later. This can further complicate the issue of back pain and healing, especially if an opiate dependency occurs.

Contrast that to chiropractic care which engages natural healing and the benefits are obvious. While a pill might be useful at briefly suppressing the discomfort of a health condition, it's not a real solution to the problem. Drugs can't fix your injured spine; it will only conceal the pain.

Robert C Slater, DC will first examine you to get to the source of your back problems and then work with you to eliminate the spinal interference -- without the need for risky medications.

If you're ready for relief of your pain, naturally, give our Highland Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota office a call at (651) 699-3366 to make an appointment with Robert C Slater, DC.

References

• Risk of opioids outweigh benefits for headache, low back pain, other conditions. American Academy of Neurology;September 29, 2014.
• What are opioids? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids