Opioid Update: Consumer Reports Recommends Chiropractic, Chiropractors in Hospitals, Leaders Recommend Better Chiro Coverage

Experts are increasingly recommending a new way of treating painful musculoskeletal conditions to avoid opioid painkillers - trying conservative non-drug treatment like chiropractic first, before even over the counter pain relievers (which are riskier and less effective than long assumed).

Chiropractic Recommended as an Alternative to Opioids
Consumer Reports published an article on chiropractic as a safe and effective alternative to medication for back pain. Their survey of more than 3,500 back-pain sufferers concluded, “Nearly 90 percent of people who tried spinal manipulation found it helpful.” They also cited a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association that found chiropractic manipulation to be safe and effective.
 
Hospitals & Chiropractic?
Hospitals will be educating more patients on non-drug pain treatments like chiropractic and looking to connect patients with more of these safe options. The Joint Commission (which accredits US hospitals) released a new standard requiring hospitals to provide education and access to non-drug options for pain, including chiropractic and acupuncture, effective January 1, 2018. The Joint Commission had been blamed for forcing hospitals to over-medicate with painkillers, but now patients will have safer options like chiropractic available in the hospital or by referral.


State & National Leaders Recommend Better Chiropractic Coverage
As more experts recommend chiropractic as a safer alternative to opioids, the need for better coverage of chiropractic treatment is clear. While most insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Workers' Compensation, etc. cover some chiropractic services, many plans still cover dangerous opioid painkillers better than chiropractic.

Leaders are looking for solutions to improve chiropractic coverage. Attorneys General from 37 states submitted a letter to insurers requesting better coverage of non-drug treatment options including chiropractic. The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis recommended Medicare and private insurers remove cost-prohibitive restrictions for chiropractic and other alternatives to opioids. Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor has also released a plan to combat Ohio's opioid epidemic that includes better coverage of chiropractic care.

We will see a quicker end to Ohio's opioid epidemic if more Ohioans start with non-drug treatment like chiropractic first for their pains. Tell your friends and family to start with chiropractic, and try to keep opioids out of the house whenever possible, or they may fall into vulnerable hands.

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