Chiropractic Care vs Pain Medication

Chiropractic care vs pain medication

Do you suffer from mild to severe to unbearable pain? Regardless of its cause, you may turn to pain relievers. (It happens to the best of us.)  These are available over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription. But did you know that OTC pain medication is one of your worst options? Let’s dive into the question of chiropractic care vs pain medication.

As nice as it is to hear that chiropractic care is better than pain pills, you may be wondering why. Where’s the proof? Continue reading on for a detailed comparison.

Fixing the Problem

Pain medication does not fix a problem. Yes, it does provide relief, but only short-term relief. Pain medication only masks the problem. It is still there. As soon as your pain pills wear off, the pain is likely to return. If you suffer from recurring headaches, it may be another day before the next headache returns, but it will.

Chiropractors treat the source of the problem. The pain will be helped, we just go about it differently. They don’t want to mask the problem. Instead, they treat it and by going directly to the source. For many, this is the spine, connecting joints, and muscles. By treating the problem at the source, you will get relief, but that relief should be long-lasting.

Side Effects

Pain relievers are full of side effects. This is particularly true with prescription pain relievers. Patients can experience upset stomachs, drowsiness, nausea, and more. Even the smallest side effects can negatively affect our lives. How can you work if your pain pills make you drowsy? It will be difficult, if not impossible. Pain relief should improve your life, not create a whole new set of problems to deal with.

Chiropractic care is all natural. It involves manual therapy. This is hands-on therapy. Temporary relief is sought with ongoing therapeutic massages. Overtime, they can lead to long-term relief. Another form of long-term relief is chiropractic adjustments or realignments. For example, a patient suffering from arthritis can feel less pain and improved movement with finger joint adjustments.

Safety

Most pain relievers, even over-the-counter pills, have side effects. If it wasn’t bad enough, there are many other additional risks. NSAIDs (like tylenol and advil) can result in stomach ulcers and bleeding. This is common with continued and prolonged use. Some medications interact with others. Pain medications are risky for children, the elderly, and pregnant or nursing mothers. Still, people use them and doctors prescribe them. That however, does not mean they are safe.

Chiropractic care, as stated above, is natural. There is no medication given. Since there is no medication and no invasive medical procedures, it is safe. In fact, chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages. The old, young, and even pregnant and nursing women can seek relief through this natural form of healthcare. All should, as it is safer.

Costs $$$

When it comes to pain relief, think long-term. Pain meds only mask the problem, so the pain is likely to return. This results in the consumption of more medication. Not only is this risky, but very costly. Even with insurance covering the cost of most prescription pain relievers, their costs add up over a period of time.

Always try conservative care first!

Many fear the cost of chiropractors.  Insurance does cover the cost of most treatment. Next, continued care is not required in all cases. Your chiropractor may perform a neck adjustment, have you comeback for a follow-up appointment, and return again to show you helpful at-home techniques to reduce pain. After that, you may be done. Three appointments with a chiropractor, even if you pay out-of-pocket, are cheaper than years worth of pain pills.

In short, chiropractic care is not only safer, but cheaper, less invasive, and long-lasting. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for pain relievers to treat you pain and discomfort, please stop. Make an appointment with a local chiropractor. You may be surprised how easy it is to seek long-lasting or permanent relief.