Chiropractors stress alternatives to opioids

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Eunice chiropractors met recently with Mayor Scott Fontenot who signed a proclamation for National Chiropractic Health Month.
The chiropractors were Drs. Robert Turk, Joe Turk, Edward Turk, Jason Smith, J. Kevine LeJeune and Jacque Fruge.
Three chiropractors, Smith, Fruge and Edward Turk, attended Tuesday’s Board of a Aldermen meeting.
National Chiropractic Health Month raises awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered and drug-free approach to health and wellness, according to a news release.
This year’s theme, “Back to Basics” emphasizes simple yet significant strategies for maintaining spinal health throughout a lifetime, as well as the growing body of evidence supporting drug-free approaches to low-back pain treatment.
“Back pain remains one of the most disabling conditions worldwide, and is a common condition for which doctors prescribe pain medications, such as opioids.” Smith said. “We want people to know that there are other approaches to back pain treatment, such as chiropractic care, that does not involve drugs. There are also simple strategies and exercises you can learn to help keep your spine healthy and pain-free.”
Statistics show that every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in the ER for misusing prescription opioid pain medications, and deaths involving the drugs have quadrupled since 1999. Back pain is one of the most common conditions for which opioids are prescribed.
In the wake of the opioid epidemic, many respected health care organizations are recognizing the value of a conservative, non-drug approach to pain. Low-back pain treatment guidelines updated this year by the American College of Physicians now encourage the use of conservative therapies, such as spinal manipulation, for low-back pain before the use of drug therapies and surgery.
Chiropractors are experts in performing spinal manipulation and are trained to offer ergonomic and lifestyle advice to help patients strengthen their spines, enhance overall health and prevent back pain.  
To learn more about NCHM and back pain, visit acatoday.org/NCHM.