What You Need to Know About the Opioid Epidemic

By Dr. Katie Benson, D.C.
Associate Chiropractor at MyoCore of Overland Park

With the current COVID pandemic at the forefront of everyone’s minds, another devastating epidemic is still on going in this country: the opioid crisis. Many reading this have heard of the opioid epidemic, but what exactly does that mean and what can be done to combat it?

According to the Surgeon General, as many as two million Americans are currently addicted to or dependent upon prescription opioids. In 2014 as many as 10 million people reported using opioids for nonmedical reasons. This epidemic currently costs the United States economy an estimated $78.5 billion annually. Yes, you read that correctly: $78.5 billion annually! 

That is a staggering amount of money, but the impact on American lives is even more costly. Opioid overdoses kill 91 Americans every single day. Simply reducing the number of prescriptions though will not solve this complex problem as it will leave millions without the means of managing their pain. 

So what can be done? 

That’s where we at MyoCore can come in! 

We specialize in drug-free, non-invasive treatments that relieve pain through soft tissue therapies, rehabilitation exercises and joint manipulations. The American College of Physicians recommends first using non-invasive, non-drug treatments such as heat therapy, massage, acupuncture and spinal manipulation before resorting to drug therapies. Each patient receives an in-depth examination to determine the proper diagnosis and customized treatment plan that will work to decrease pain and improve function. 

Our doctors utilize soft tissue therapies, such as myofascial release, Graston, Active Release Technique (ART) and dry needling to decrease muscle tension and improve mobility. Our chiropractors are also trained in rehabilitation exercise techniques like McKenzie Method of Diagnosis and Therapy, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS) and strength training to improve range of motion, strengthen weakened muscles and get you back to doing the things you love quicker! Last but not least, we use a variety of joint manipulation techniques to decrease joint stiffness, decrease pain and improve mobility. These range from gentle joint mobilizations to manual manipulations. 

Your doctor will determine which adjustment type best suits your needs and comfort level. This customized approach to pain management allows our patients to manage their pain outside of our office and can help decrease their need for prescription opioids. A study found that patients receiving chiropractic care were 55 percent less likely to fill an opioid prescription than those who did not receive chiropractic care in conjunction with their prescription! That’s an astounding reduction in opioid usage. 

In addition to our customized pain therapies, we also work closely with other healthcare providers to offer our patients a collaborative care approach to address their complex needs. Our referral network includes acupuncturists, massage therapists, physical therapists, primary care providers, counselors, orthopedists, and many more. Our goal is to build a team for our patients to help manage their healthcare needs. And that includes you! 

We are here to help you manage your pain and return to living the life you want to live! Our doctors strive to help you get back to doing the things that fill your life with happiness whether that’s being able to get on the floor to play with your grandkids, golfing with your friends or running your first 5K. 

We are here to help, so don’t delay your journey to decreased pain and a more active life.