Treat Low-Back Pain with Chiropractic Before Painkillers

According to a recent press release by the American Chiropractic Association, research suggests that managing spinal pain with acetaminophen may not be as efficacious as once thought.  The ACA states,

According to the British Medical Journal study, the widely used painkiller is ineffective against low-back pain and offers only “minimal short-term benefit” for people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. Similar conclusions were reached in a study published in The Lancet in July 2014, that acetaminophen “does not ease low-back pain.”

Before turning to painkillers, which can be addictive, ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC, says, “Research supports the use of more conservative treatments as a first-line defense against pain. This sensible approach not only reduces healthcare costs, but may also help some patients avoid riskier treatments altogether.”

A "conservative care first" approach includes using chiropractic treatments to support spinal health.  The ACA goes on to say,

A “conservative care first” approach to health care encourages emphasis on more cost-effective and safer approaches over potentially addictive medications for pain management and health enhancement. Conservative management of painful conditions may include chiropractic manipulation combined with exercise and stretching prior to moving on to high-risk procedures. Chiropractic physicians are the highest-rated healthcare practitioners for low-back pain treatments due to their patient-centered, whole-person approach that provides greater interaction and communication for appropriate diagnosis and development of more cost-effective treatment plans.

For those who are currently pain-free, the exercise tips, posture recommendations and guidance on injury prevention routinely provided by chiropractic physicians can help people maintain a healthy back throughout their lives. To learn more, visit www.acatoday.org/backpain.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.