In my practice I often come across patients who have used prescription painkillers to manage their pain. Very often,they go to see their family doctors or a doctor at a walk in clinic and they complain of severe back or neck pain. After a usually brief exam and history, they are sent home with a prescription for Tylenol 3, Oxycodone, Naproxen etc. Usually when I uncover this during a history in my office, the patient admits that they don't want to become "hooked" on the medication for the long term. They are looking for an alternative. A more natural method of pain relief and management, without the aid of prescription drugs. These people are concerned, and according to this study being published today in the the Annals of Internal Medicine, they should be.
This study reviewed the pharmacy files of nearly 10, 000 patients who were prescribed opioids such as; oxycodone and hydrocodone, for 3 months between 1997 and 2005. The results were alarming, but perhaps not surprising. The researchers found that 51% of the patients overdosed on these drugs and tragically, 6 of these overdoses were fatal.
The study found a clear correlation between the risk of overdosing and the dose prescribed. Those who were prescribed a higher dose were 9 times more likely to oversdose. "The rate of overdose was strongly related to dose," said senior study author Michael Von Korff, a senior investigator at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle. "For patients currently receiving higher-dose regimens, their rate of overdose was almost 2 percent per year, which is a lot."
One reason for the greater reliance on opioids is a recognition among physicians that chronic pain is a serious problem, hindering people from working, sleeping and enjoying their lives, Von Korff said. These types of "chronic pain" included; back or neck pain, headaches, jaw pain, pain in the extremities, arthritis and menstrual pain or injuries.
Coincidentally, a Chiropractor can offer very reasonable and effective treatment options for all of the above noted conditions.
On a personal note, I am not a Chiropractor who will advise my patients to steer clear of all prescription medications. I do however believe that a patient needs to be educated and aware of the risks and benefits of medication, especially for pain. I believe that helping patients find strategies to manage their pain involving a healthy lifestyle with sustainable health practices is far superior than to just popping pills.
If you're in pain and want a natural way to find relief, visit your COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR HERE!!!!
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