So , knowing that over 100 people die every day in the US alone , you'd think there would be enough bad news about opiods. Need another reason to avoid opioids and embrace drugless options such as chiropractic care for pain relief (not to mention pain prevention)? How about this: BIG money and BIG manipulation (no not adjustments )  – both used by big Pharma (Drug company and opioid manufacturers ) to fuel the opioid epidemic over the past decade.

While its true that growing awareness of the opioid crisis has spurred some changes at both the (government  and Medical ) policy and practice level, things may have been significantly less dire if not for the relationship between drug companies and patient advocacy groups, according to a report from the U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee.

Fueling an Epidemic: Exposing the Financial Ties Between Opioid Manufacturers and Third-Party Advocacy Groups "provides the first comprehensive snapshot of the financial connections between opioid manufacturers and advocacy groups and professional societies operating in the area of opioids policy," according to the executive summary, which outlines the disturbing nature of the "connections" and their impact on the opioid epidemic:

"Disclosures from Purdue Pharma L.P., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mylan N.V., Depomed, Inc., and Insys Therapeutics, Inc. ... describe nearly $9 million in payments from the drug manufacturers to over 14 different  groups working with  pain and other opioid-related issues between the years of 2012 and 2017. In addition, private physicians affiliated with these groups accepted more than $1.6 million in payments from the five of these manufacturers between 2013 and the present."

"Initiatives from the groups in this report often echoed and amplified messages favorable to increased opioid use — and ultimately, the financial interests of opioid manufacturers. These groups have issued guidelines and policies minimizing the risk of opioid addiction and promoting opioids for chronic pain, lobbied to change laws directed at curbing opioid use, and argued against accountability for physicians and industry executives responsible for overprescription and misbranding."

Why Chiropractic can help

Fortunately, some policy- and practice-level changes are being implemented at higher levels to replace prescription pain-relief medications such as opioids with safer alternatives as the first option. This in many cases can and should include chiropractic care(chiropractors have always provided effective pain relief ).

Now, they're finally being  recognizedas a better, safer option that can not only help manage pain but can in fact save lives. If you are someone who suffers from chronic pain call us or your local chiropractor for more information.