Natural Alternatives to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

A prevalent concern today is the overuse of medications. Turn on the TV and there are a myriad of different commercials stating that this medication is “guaranteed” to be the next best thing.

One of the main medications that is overused is opioids. As many as one in four patients who receive prescription opioids long term for non-cancer related pain struggle with addiction. Every day, in the emergency room setting, more than 1,000 patients are treated for the misuse of opioid medications.

The staggering use of these medications leads to a much deeper question – why? Opioids are used for the alleviation of pain. Why are so many Americans suffering with high levels of pain? Often, pain is simply thought to come with aging. This is somewhat true, but is not necessarily the only cause. Chronic micronutrient depletion, inability to absorb nutrients, hormone imbalance, and systemic inflammation can all play a factor in chronic pain. Nutrition and neurologic rehabilitation can be a great way to decrease this chronic pain pattern.

The body is GREAT at prioritization. For example – what is more important? – Your hair, skin, and nails or your internal organs? The internal organs. Therefore, the body will “steal” nutrients from the “nonessential” parts of the body and give it to the “essential”. Though hair, skin, and nails are very important and have immune and protective functions, they are not “essential” to survival. This nutrient imbalance may result in pain in the muscles or joints. Therefore, a crucial part of combatting chronic pain is to ensure that we have enough of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, that serve as the building blocks for our tissues.

Many of the different medications on the market to decrease pain simply shut down pain pathways within the brain. This does help in the short term, however, it does not address the root cause of that pain. Pain can often be compared to the check engine light on your car. The light doesn’t specifically identify the cause of the problem, just alerts for further inquiry. Pain perception is a similar concept, it is the body warning that something is not right. However, if this continues for a long period of time, years even, then the brain will rewire itself and make this pain response “easier” to achieve.

Chiropractic and acupuncture have been shown by research to be a great alternative to opioids for pain reduction. In fact, the FDA recommends chiropractic as the best substitute for opioid medications. Both modalities can “block” the pain pathways and begin to restore proper neurological balance. They do this by several different methods:

• Pain gate theory: Chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture stimulate the same sensory pathway as pain. Therefore, an adjustment or acupuncture can “block” the pain sensation due to the speed in which that signal reaches the brain.
• Circulation: These modalities increase blood flow. Increased blood flow aids in healing and repair of tissues. This will often decrease the perceived pain in an area.
• Balance nervous system: Specific adjustments and acupuncture points can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of healing and repair.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, “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 non-invasive, non-drug treatments before resorting to drug therapies. ACP’s guidelines, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and based on a review of randomized controlled trials and observational studies, cite heat therapy, massage, acupuncture and spinal manipulation (a centerpiece of chiropractic care) as possible options for non-invasive, non-drug therapies for low back pain. Only when such treatments provide little or no relief, the guidelines state, should patients move on to medicines such as ibuprofen or muscle relaxants, which research indicates have limited pain-relief effects. According to the guidelines, prescription opioids should be a last resort for those suffering from low back pain, as the risk of addiction and overdose may outweigh the benefits.”

The danger with opioid addiction is not only in the addiction. Due to the major pain reduction that accompanies opioids, individuals are more likely to over exert themselves and create further injuries. Additionally, overuse of opioids often leads to liver, kidney, gut, and even brain damage. Therefore, it is important to find natural alternatives that not only create pain reduction, but support overall health and wellbeing. Chiropractic and acupuncture can be the first line defense in the opioid epidemic.