A recent article in Chiropractic Economics written by Rebecca Moore came across my desk about how there’s a new study out that Chiropractic can be a solution to the opioid crisis. We know this. However it’s nicer to know that there are studies out there being conducted to prove it further. For more information on the opioid crisis, see this post.

James Whedon, DC, director of health services research at the Southern California University of Health Sciences published a study in 2016 under the title Association between Utilization of Chiropractic Services and Use of Prescription Opioids, Among Patients with Low Back Pain. The study found that “55 percent reduction in the likelihood of people filling prescriptions for opioids in those who received chiropractic care as compared to those who did not. Furthermore, the charges for filling opioid prescriptions and providing clinical services for chiropractic recipients were 74 percent and 78 percent lower respectively.”

In a more current study Whedon will be doing this same study except on a larger scale. His study will include from 12,000 to a million people. The larger selection of data will give chiropractors a better more qualitative outcome.

The public is ready for more hands on care according to the poll done by the Palmer College of Chiropractic, “nearly 80 percent of the public surveyed want a non-pharmacologic approach to physical pain.” Research can make the public’s desire a reality.

As more advanced studies come out to prove hands on care as the best solution for pain management more policies can take place to counter opioids. And with policy comes compliance by health care providers for their clients. This means insurance companies (private or federal) will expand more hands on care in their coverage to meet public and policy demand.