The year 2017 will be memorable for many reasons. Within the world of spines, lower backs, and necks there were some big advancements to help us move forward into 2018 with great momentum.

The majority of patients that show up in my clinics have had previous episodes of lower back and neck pain. For many, the treatments that they had to help with those conditions may have done more harm than good. Their care was mismanaged along the way. Too often, drug therapies were the treatment of choice. Great for killing the pain, but not so good for fixing the cause of the pain.

2017 Back Pain Guidelines Get Updates

In 2017, we saw 2 significant organizations either update their guidelines for the treatment of back pain, or create a complete new set of guidelines altogether for the treatment of back pain or pain alone. In January of 2017, the American College of Physicians updated their guidelines stating that non-drug treatments should be the first choice of physicians. Recommending spinal manipulation as the treatment of choice!

In June of 2017, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the wake of the ongoing opioid epidemic that is gripping the United States, published a new guideline. This guideline recommends for physicians to avoid the prescribing of narcotic prescription medications and recommended spinal manipulation for those suffering from back or neck pain.

A Look Forward to 2018

2017 was the year of talking about the opioid crisis that is having a devastating effect on the United States, 2018 will be the year of taking action. Strong action is being taken in physicians offices across the country to advise physicians to minimize the use of opioid medications, and to make it harder for patients to obtain these medications. We should see more patients flowing into chiropractic offices across the country, as they have the proper tools to help back and neck pain patients.

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