At one time in the not-far-off past, doctors’ first line of defense against low-back pain, neck pain, sciatica, stenosis, etc, was to prescribe painkillers. It was during this time the medical community didn’t fully understand how addictive opioids would be. With more companies bringing these powerful painkillers to the market, doctors were prescribing more opioids than ever. It didn’t take long for the public to realize we had a big problem on our hands. That problem became known as the Opioid Crisis.
More and more people were becoming addicted to these painkillers. This had widespread effects on not only the patients who were suffering in pain but also their families. Since the medical community has realized that physical medicine has better outcomes than pharmaceuticals, opioid prescriptions have been steadily declining.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend in the medical field as doctors increasingly opt for alternative approaches to pain management, steering away from the traditional prescription of opioids. This shift is not arbitrary but is instead a response to the growing awareness of the opioid epidemic and its devastating impact on individuals and communities.
One primary reason for the decrease in opioid prescriptions is the heightened understanding of the addictive nature of these medications. Medical professionals are now more attuned to the risks associated with prolonged opioid use, including dependency and the potential for substance abuse disorders. In response, physicians are exploring and implementing safer, non-addictive alternatives to address their patients’ pain.
Another factor contributing to the decline in opioid prescriptions is the increased focus on personalized and holistic healthcare. Doctors are now adopting a more comprehensive approach to pain management, incorporating physical medicine techniques like non-surgical spinal decompression. This highly effective treatment not only relieves debilitating pain, numbness, tingling, and burning but also at the underlying cause of the problem. Oftentimes, the cause of spine pain originates from the intervertebral disc. Many patients deal with bulging and/or herniated discs every day.
This non-invasive, non-addictive approach to spine care not only addresses pain but also considers the individual’s overall well-being, promoting long-term health and reducing reliance on opioid medications.
More doctors now than ever are using non-surgical spinal decompression to treat spine pain. This is not limited to Chiropractors or Physical Therapists. Medical Doctors and Osteopathic Doctors are utilizing technology like the DRX-9000 in their practices worldwide. To date, 1,600 DRX-9000 True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression tables are in use in the United States.