Study Shows Chiropractic Care Decreases Opioid Prescription for Lower Back Pain by 68%
Recent research suggests that spinal adjustments can reduce dependency on pain medication, such as tramadol.
Could spinal adjustments be a viable alternative to pain pills? Recent studies indicate that chiropractic adjustments may significantly alleviate low back pain and lessen the need for tramadol, providing a non-pharmacological option for managing sciatica pain.
Chiropractic’s Role in Reducing Reliance on Medication
Sciatica affects millions of Americans, causing radiating low back pain down the leg. Frequently originating from compression or inflammation of a spinal nerve, sciatica can lead to pain, numbness, and limited mobility. The discomfort usually follows the nerve pathway, extending from the lower back to the calf or foot, depending on the severity.
Traditionally, tramadol has been the go-to prescription for managing this type of pain, often viewed as a milder alternative to stronger opioids. However, concerns have arisen regarding tramadol’s long-term effects and potential for dependency.
This discovery challenges conventional pain management approaches and underscores the potential efficacy of CSM in providing relief without the risks associated with prolonged pain medication use.
“Previous studies have pointed to a decreased likelihood of opioid prescription in individuals who receive chiropractic care. However, our study specifically focuses on tramadol,” noted Robert Trager, a chiropractor and the study’s lead author, in a press release.
Diving Deeper into the Study
The study utilized health records from TriNetX, an extensive database comprising data from 80 healthcare institutions. Researchers compared two cohorts of 1,171 patients each—one group underwent chiropractic spinal manipulation while the other received standard medical care. To ensure a fair comparison, the groups were matched based on age, health status, and initial pain levels.
Over the course of a year, patients who underwent chiropractic care were 68% less likely to receive tramadol prescriptions compared to those who received standard medical treatment. This disparity in prescription rates emerged early on and persisted throughout the year.
Additionally, the study highlighted similar use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and lumbar imaging between the two groups, further suggesting that the reduced tramadol usage was specifically linked to chiropractic care.
These findings indicate that the initial treatment choice can have long-lasting implications for patients’ well-being. Opting for chiropractic care may offer immediate pain relief and diminish the reliance on pain medications, helping patients steer clear of the hazards and side effects associated with opioid use.
Tramadol: Balancing Benefits with Risks in Pain Management
Tramadol, a less potent synthetic opioid than morphine, is commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain conditions like sciatica due to its perceived lower risk of addiction. However, it can still lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms akin to stronger opioids. A recent analysis by The Epoch Times of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) uncovered nearly 90,000 reports of tramadol-related issues, with over half involving drug dependence.
Tramadol’s side effects span from mild, such as nausea and dizziness, to severe, including serotonin syndrome, which can trigger confusion, rapid heart rate, and respiratory depression. Additionally, its impact on norepinephrine and serotonin levels can induce mood swings and mental health complications, such as depression and anxiety.
Chiropractic Care and Pain Alleviation
Though the recent study indicates a reduced need for tramadol among individuals receiving chiropractic care, it does not delineate how chiropractic adjustments alleviate pain.
Chiropractic manipulation entails adjusting the spine to influence the central nervous system and mitigate pain. According to chiropractic principles, these adjustments rectify spinal alignment, alleviate nervous system pressure, and stimulate the body’s intrinsic healing capacity to diminish pain.
Bradley Rauch, a seasoned chiropractor at New York Chiropractic Associates, expressed in an interview with The Epoch Times, “Chiropractic adjustments directly address the biomechanical dysfunctions of the spine that often contribute to pain and limited mobility. By restoring proper alignment and movement, we can significantly reduce pain signals and enhance overall neural function.”
As a substitute for pain-relieving medications, the American College of Physicians advocates spinal manipulation in conjunction with exercise, acupuncture, stress reduction, heat therapy, or massage for low back pain.
Mr. Rauch underscored the holistic approach of chiropractic care, stating, “We concentrate on the entire individual, not just the symptoms. By enhancing spinal health, we can improve overall well-being and lessen the dependence on pain medications.”
