Many people suffer from acute or chronic pain. Spinal conditions, such as neck and lower back pain, result in a large number of patients with varying degrees of discomfort. This article will discuss safe alternative treatment options for pain and non-drug selection in our country's opioid epidemics.

We all know that people with pain can take various measures to get relief. Rest for mild pain and pain, and healing often works most of the time. Sometimes, a person can use over-the-counter medications, topical ointments or creams, cold compresses or heating pads to help restore comfort.

Many people seek the care of a health care practitioner when discomfort becomes more intense and may be intolerable. These types of healthcare providers may recommend using prescription drugs for treatment.

There are also alternative treatment options for pain, such as chiropractic, massage, physical therapy and acupuncture.

Patients and their providers should work together to find out what each person needs to control pain.

We all know that a drug called opioid has been used to control pain. Opioids such as Percocet, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are commonly used. Initially, these types of drugs were targeted at people with refractory pain, such as those with advanced cancer. These drugs are often addictive. Unfortunately, these drugs are also prescribed for discomfort that may be otherwise treated.

The excessive use and abuse of opioids has seriously affected the lives of tens of thousands of people in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] points out that as many as one in four patients receive long-term prescription opioids for non-cancer in primary care settings and are struggling with addiction. More than 1,000 people are treated every day in the emergency room because of the abuse of prescription opioids.

Numerous studies have been conducted to seek non-drug replacement pain control. In 2017, the American College of Physicians recommended non-invasive non-pharmacological treatments before resorting to medication. The American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also called for the use of non-pharmacological methods for pain management.

Experts point out that chiropractors, massage therapists, physiotherapists and acupuncturists have achieved great success in providing patients with the discomfort they desire. These types of practitioners use methods that not only relieve pain, but also correct the original cause of the condition and promote healing.

West Virginia should be commended when dealing with opioid epidemics. Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill No. 273 on June 7, 2002, “Reducing the use of certain prescription drugs” to become law. The bill requires insurance companies to cover 20 alternative therapies such as chiropractic, massage, physiotherapy and acupuncture. For those with pain, this is a non-pharmacological treatment. In addition, patients can receive alternative therapies without a referral from a PCP or other practitioner.

Because scientific research suggests non-drug treatment, non-invasive pain control methods, it seems sensible for other countries and even the federal government to adopt safer methods of pain management and management.

Safer pain management method was originally published on Spring