Chiropractic Care or Pain Killers

Our Scottsdale, AZ chiropractor discusses the differences between chiropractic care and pain killers to help you decide which option is right for you. Chiropractic care is not appropriate treatment for some diseases but it is often the right therapy for arthritis, whiplash, joint problems and other painful conditions because there are no known side effects to chiropractic care.

Scottsdale, AZ Chiropractor Compares Chiropractic Care with Pain Killers

Prescription pain killers are effective analgesics but are associated with a number of dangerous side effects, especially physical dependence and addiction. Nearly two million Americans abused prescription painkillers in 2013, according to the CDC, and more than 16,000 Americans died that year after taking these drugs.

Even non-prescription pain killers pose dangers to the consumer. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common in prescription and over-the-counter medications. Non-prescription NSAIDs treat pain and fever while prescription NSAIDs treat arthritis and other painful conditions.

In July of 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthened their warning that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke that can lead to serious debilitation or even death. These serious side effects can occur within the first few weeks of using an NSAID but the risk for heart attack and stroke may rise the longer you use NSAIDS.

According to a study published in The British Medical Journal, acetaminophen is ineffective against low back pain and offers only minimal, short-term pain relief to those with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. The BMJ study confirms results from 2014 research published in The Lancet.

Chiropractic care, in comparison, avoids the above mentioned serious side effects. This conservative approach is often less expensive and frequently relieves pain faster, with greater long term results than NSAID drugs. Chiropractic care is relaxing, safe and effective.

The next time you are in pain and trying to decide whether to take pain killers or undergo chiropractic care, call our Scottsdale, AZ chiropractor, Dr. Daniel P. Secrest, DC at 480-994-4411.

Have you ever taken pain killers when chiropractic care would have been the better option?