Unless you are living under a rock, you have likely heard about the devastating effects the overprescription of opioid drugs has had in certain communities. For years, doctors have prescribed these drugs for problems such as back pain thinking that their patient would have relief. It's not just opioids that are the problem with the medical approach to back pain. The truth is that drugs do not solve back problems; they make them more chronic which is why so many people have been seeing physical therapists or chiropractors first. The newest studies show that opioids which are highly addictive are not an effective solution for back pain according to NPR. The truth is that the Medicines one size fits all approach for back pain doesn't fit because drugs don't fix mechanical problems ever. What they do result in is chronic problems which over time can become more debilitating without the right intervention. Consumer reports realized years ago that Chiropractors had the best reputation for treating back pain for good reason; back pain is a movement problem that chiropractors solve through the use of manipulation, exercises, and soft tissue techniques such as myofascial release and Graston Technique. They have rated chiropractors as the most effective and well-regarded with respect to lower back pain. Medical doctors read this same information so why are they suggesting drugs when active care from a chiropractor prevents chronic back pain with active rehab and manipulation? Check out the article from NPR Opioids are overrated for some common back pain, a study suggests June 28, 20237:12 PM ET By Will Stone Back and neck pain afflicts millions of American adults, driving many to seek relief from their family doctor or even the local emergency room. When these episodes of pain are acute and nonspecific — meaning there's no clear cause or explanation — it's generally advised to start off with everyday remedies like over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and alternatives like heat therapy, massage or exercise. If that's not doing the trick though, doctors may prescribe a short course of opioids, with the goal of relieving pain and improving a patient's function. But the results of a rigorous clinical trial published Wednesday cast doubt on using opioids even in this situation. In a study of more than 340 patients suffering from low back or neck pain, a team of Australian researchers found there was no difference in pain severity after six weeks between those who received opioids versus a placebo sugar pill. Read more