Opioids
ACA offers resources to help communicate the value of chiropractic’s nondrug approach in preventing opioid use disorder (OUD).
While efforts to address opioid use disorder in the United States have led to a decrease in the number of prescriptions written, the overuse and abuse of these powerful drugs continus to be a problem. Federal health agencies have acknowledged the need for a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention strategies involving nonpharmacologic (nondrug) treatments. Never before has the value of chiropractic’s patient-centered, nondrug approach to pain management been more apparent.
Chiropractic is a part of the solution to the opioid crisis, and ACA’s opioid toolkit offers members resources to help them share this important story in their communities. Historically, back pain was one of the most common reasons why opioids were prescribed to patients, yet research shows there is no evidence that they provide clinically significant relief for chronic low back pain. Meanwhile, a growing body of research shows that early intervention with chiropractic services can have a significant impact by lessening the long-term use of prescription opioid pain medications.
In addition to the ACA Opioid Crisis Toolkit (available for download below), click the following links to find additional information and resources that support the value that chiropractic services offer in reducing reliance on prescription opioid pain medications.
Learn ACA Webinar: The Chiropractor’s Role in the Opioid Crisis
A Common Sense Strategy to Fight Opioid Abuse (PDF)
Hands Down Better: Chiropractic and the Opioid Epidemic
ACA Is a Trusted Resource in Advocacy Circles for Information on Non-drug Approaches
ACA Comments to CDC Regarding Proposed 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids (PDF)
Please login to access the ACA Opioid Epidemic Toolkit
The resources in the Toolkit can help you tell this story to patients, other providers, community members and payers. They include a sample powerpoint presentation, key messages, relevant research studies, a sample blog post, and infographics.
