Chiropractic: The Natural Approach to Back Pain

Chiropractic: The Natural Approach to Back Pain

Chiropractic is based on the concept of enabling your body to heal naturally through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that encourage overall health. For Dr. Ernst, this involves working to reestablish your body's normal functioning to avoid the need for medications or surgery. We notice that many of our Arlington patients are happy to find a natural approach for their health problems.

One advantage of chiropractic care is that it helps people decrease or even eliminate the use of drugs. Prescriptions are commonly supplied to people who have back problems. This is such a significant crisis that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a report stating that opioid (painkiller) risks outweigh the advantages when prescribed for back pain.

Some of the most well-known narcotics, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Figures presented by the AAN cite the fact that about half of the patients taking these drugs for a period of three months are still on them five years later. This can further complicate the issue of back pain and recovery, especially if an opiate addiction arises.

Contrast that to chiropractic which involves natural healing and the benefits are evident. While a pill might be helpful at briefly suppressing the discomfort of a health issue, it's not a real solution to the problem. A drug won't mend your damaged spine; it will only conceal the pain.

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

If you're ready to get out of pain, naturally, give our Arlington office a call at (360) 659-8464 to make an appointment with Dr. Ernst.

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