Happy National Chiropractic Health Month!
This month we wanted to bring awareness to how chiropractic care can be used to treat some of the most common musculoskeletal complaints and the current recommended guidelines for those complaints.
Chiropractic care has so many health benefits, but it is the most effective in treating musculoskeletal conditions. It is a conservative, non-drug, evidence based approach to treating acute or chronic pain. Effectively managing musculoskeletal related pain will drastically improve a person’s quality of life, health, and well being.
Here is some data on the most common areas of pain experienced by people globally and what our most current guidelines for treatment are from the American Chiropractic Association (source):
“Globally, back pain ranks as one of the most common and debilitating causes of chronic pain. It is the No. 1 single leading cause of disability worldwide.
Headache disorders ranked No. 3 and neck pain ranked No. 15 among global causes of disability.
In 2017, the American College of Physicians (ACP) updated its guidelines for the treatment of acute and chronic low back pain to recommend first using noninvasive, non-drug treatments—including spinal manipulation—before resorting to over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
In the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promotes “diverse approaches and varied pain management solutions” and specifically encourages use of non-opioid/nonpharmacologic therapies as a first line of treatment against subacute and chronic pain.
A 2020 study published in the journal Pain Medicine found that chiropractic users had 64% lower odds of receiving an opioid prescription than non-users.
A 2017 study published by the Mayo Clinic found that people with neck pain initiating care with chiropractors had lower odds of using advanced imaging, injections and opioid medications. “
Being experts of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors have the skills and tools to evaluate, diagnose, and treat such conditions. Using different techniques, chiropractors can address the the dysfunction in joints, muscles, and movement patterns, promoting a better balanced musculoskeletal and nervous system. This will help reduce pain, improve function, and reduce the likelihood of debilitating pain.
Chiropractic care is complementary with other alternative treatments. It can be used alongside massage therapy, acupuncture, and even medical intervention to help manage symptoms.
Whether it be to treat an acute injury or condition, manage chronic pain, prenatal care or wellness visits to help your body function in an optimal state. It is a recommended, encouraged, and cost effective course of care for acute and chronic pain.