Why You Should Avoid Drugs for Back Pain

Fairfax Natural Approaches to Back Pain with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic is centered on the principle of allowing your body to naturally heal through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that stimulate overall health. For Dr. Zapf, this means working to restore your body's normal functioning to avoid the need for drugs or surgical treatments. We notice that most of our Fairfax patients are happy to find a natural answer for their health conditions.

One benefit of chiropractic care is that it helps people minimize or eliminate the use of drugs. Prescriptions are commonly issued to patients who have back soreness. This is such a significant problem that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a report stating that opioid (painkiller) dangers overshadow the advantages when administered for back pain.

Some of the most popular opiates, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Data supplied by the AAN cite the fact that about 50% of the patients taking these types of substances for a period of three months are still taking them five years down the road. This can further complicate the problem of back pain and healing, especially if an opiate dependency arises.

Contrast that to chiropractic care which engages natural healing and the advantages are clear. While a drug might be useful at briefly reducing the symptoms of a health issue, it's not a long-term solution to the problem. Drugs don't fix your injured back; it will only mask the pain.

How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help You?

Dr. Zapf will first examine you to get to the source of your back pain and then work with you to correct the spinal interference -- without any risky medications.

If you're ready for relief, naturally, give our Fairfax office a call at (703) 455-9555 to make an appointment with Dr. Zapf.

References

• Risk of opioids outweigh benefits for headache, low back pain, other conditions. American Academy of Neurology;September 29, 2014.
• What are opioids? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids