Chiropractic Care Is an Important Part of Health Canada’s Opioid Action Plan
Did you know that Canada has the second-highest consumption rate of prescription opioids in the world and that half of all drugs-related deaths in Canada every year are related to the use and abuse of prescription opioids?
Health Canada knows it. That’s why they asked The Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre at McMaster University to develop recommendations related to the opioid crisis on behalf of Health Canada.
The statement was made on January 30th, 2017.
“There is compelling evidence that opioids are often prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions like back pain,” said Dr. Jason Busse, DC, PhD, Associate Professor at McMaster University. “Shifting away from opioids as first-line options to help manage pain is key to reducing the number of new opioid users. Ensuring access to evidence-based, non-opioid alternatives [such as chiropractic care] will be an important part of this strategy.”
Two major things they came up with included the need to reduce the amount of opioids being prescribed in the first place. The second is addressing back pain, a large contributing factor as to why the class of drugs are issued to patients.
CCA’s Response
In response to the statement, Alison Danatas, CEO of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), said that chiropractic services are an important alternative to the prescription of opioids and that the CCA will collaborate closely with prescribing parties to “…help prioritize non-pharmacological approaches for pain management…”.
This will be crucial in reducing the amount of opioids prescribed to those suffering from conditions that are easily treatable elsewhere, such as lower back pain.
“Integrating chiropractors into interprofessional care teams has been shown to reduce the use of pharmacotherapies and improve overall health outcomes. This effort is even more important now because the new draft of Canadian prescribing guidelines strongly discourage first use of opioids.”
Participating Organizations
Health Canada has recognized that chiropractic care will play an important role in the new initiative, and has asked the profession to participate in Canada’s opioid action plan that was created in late 2016.
Other parties who have joined in on the plan include:
- Federal government
- Provincial health ministries
- Dentistry associations
- Medicine associations
- Nursing associations
- Pharmacy associations
*Sourced from the Canadian Chiropractic Association
Managing Pain in Different Ways
Chiropractors can treat musculoskeletal conditions such as back, neck, shoulder or joint pain using various techniques. Some of those include:
- Applied kinesiology and muscle testing
- Cold laser therapy
- Disc rehabilitation / spinal decompression therapy
- Soft tissue / myofascial release therapy
- Nutritional supplements
Are you suffering from pain or symptoms from an injury and wonder about alternative health care options other than opioids? Chiropractic can help you get back onto the road of health!
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Book Your Chiropractic Appointment Today
Call us today at 403-284-2082 or send us a message below and we will be happy to book you in for a chiropractic assessment at your earliest convenience. See Revelation Health Centre’s Office Hours, Location and Contact here.
We are looking forward to helping you accomplish your personal health goals!
