Chiropractic: The Natural Approach to Back Pain

Chiropractic is based on the concept of helping your body to heal naturally through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that stimulate wellness. For Dr. Ernst, this involves working to reestablish your body's healthy functioning to prevent the need for drugs or surgery. We find that most of our Arlington, WA patients are pleased to find a natural approach for their health problems.

One advantage of chiropractic care is that it helps people minimize or even eliminate the use of narcotics. Prescriptions are frequently 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 overshadow the advantages when administered for back pain.

Some of the most well-known opiates, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Data supplied by the AAN mention the fact that roughly half of the people taking these drugs for a period of three months are still on them five years later. This can further complicate the difficulty of back pain and recovery, particularly if an narcotic dependency occurs.

Compare that to chiropractic care which features natural healing and the benefits are obvious. While a drug might be helpful at briefly reducing the discomfort of a health problem, it's not a long-term solution to the problem. Drugs can't mend your damaged spine; it will only mask the pain.

Dr. Ernst will first examine you to get to the source of your back pain and then work with you to solve the problem -- without the need for risky medications.

If you're ready to get out of pain, naturally, give our Arlington, WA 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