Over the last decade, prescription pain medication use has grown exponentially. In 2012, over 37% of adults over 20 were prescribed opioids like oxycodone, methadone, and fentanyl. That same year 16,001 people died from prescription opioid overdose forcing the CDC to recognize the problem as an epidemic. For decades, chiropractors and spine specialists in Springfield, IL, have offered an alternative form of pain management. How Opioid Addiction Happens Addiction is a condition of the brain when it develops a certain level of tolerance to a substance like prescription pain medication. As a result, the patient feels they must take more of a particular substance in order to achieve pain relief. Once addicted to opioids or another type of pain medication, it is extremely difficult to stop using them. Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and hypertension in addition to the return of chronic pain. Alternative Pain Management For patients with recent injuries or chronic pain, it is important to ask your doctor about alternative pain management options like chiropractic care. Opioids are often prescribed for people with chronic back and neck pain but opioids only target the symptoms of the problem. A chiropractor can help correct the alignment of your back, neck, and hips. Correcting posture with chiropractic techniques also strengthens the body while relieving pressure usually related to chronic pain. The Impact on Insurance It is very difficult to find a medical insurance plan that covers alternative pain management. However, many legislators are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing numbers of deaths due to opioid and painkiller addiction. With alternative medicine making huge strides in the field of pain management, more insurance companies are considering adding this option to their insurance plans. For more information on real pain relief and whether or not a chiropractor can help you with chronic pain, contact a local spine specialist Springfield IL.
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