Government Report on Pain Management Recommends Non-drug Treatment Including Chiropractic for Pain

Chiropractic is recommended before painkillers

As part of the response to the national opioid epidemic, federal agencies were directed to work together to draft a report on pain management best practices. The report offers potential solutions to the problems that created the epidemic and continue to negatively affect the health of millions of Americans.

The Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report focused on initial key concepts that included a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain that includes non-drug treatments like chiropractic manipulation, exercise rehab, acupuncture, yoga, and others. The Report acknowledges that some of these treatments are underutilized and more education is needed along with improvements in reimbursement for these services.

More specifically, the Report directs clinicians to "consider and prioritize, when clinically indicated, nonpharmacologic approaches to the management of pain...including mind-body behavioral interventions, acupuncture and massage, osteopathic and chiropractic manipulation, meditative movement therapies, and natural products, among others."

"Improved reimbursement policies for complementary and integrative health approaches as well as improved education for medical professionals and a greater workforce of pain management specialists can address key barriers to acceptance and implementation of complementary and integrative health approaches for pain. Additional research, greater patient and clinician education — including clinical guidance and indications for use — and expanded coverage of complementary and integrative health approaches are essential for a comprehensive solution to reduce the reliance on opioids."

This Report follows other state and federal guidelines and recommendations that highlight chiropractic and other non-drug treatments as an important solution to avoiding opioid dependency or addiction. Now years into the epidemic, Americans continue to struggle and overdose on opioid pain pills. Bigger changes are needed to improve the way we treat pain without such high risks of side effects or death.

It all starts with our family and friends. Make sure they are avoiding painkillers when possible, and starting with non-drug treatments like chiropractic first before riskier options.

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