Relieve Neck Pain Naturally: How Chiropractic Care Cuts Down on Pain Drugs

Neck pain affects daily life in ways that many do not fully appreciate. This pain can make simple tasks feel difficult and limit movement. Studies show that neck pain cases have grown over time, with the condition affecting millions around the world. If neck pain interferes with your everyday activities, finding a treatment that addresses the source of the discomfort becomes essential.

Relying on pain medications can mask discomfort without solving the cause. Many in America turn to prescription drugs, including opioids, to ease pain. Research shows that patients who choose chiropractic care tend to rely less on these medications. One study found that those who saw a chiropractor early on had a lower risk of filling an opioid prescription. These findings suggest that addressing pain with natural care may offer a safer route to relief.

I saw this firsthand when I practiced chiropractic in Ireland years ago. I remember one patient, Liam, who was training to break the Irish national record in the 100-meter dash for his age group. Liam had been struggling with severe, persistent pain that forced him to start medication. He believed that pain relievers were just covering up the real issue. Liam asked for help to fix the source of his discomfort, get off medication, and return to his training. Over the course of his care, chiropractic adjustments helped him move better and reclaim his active lifestyle. Liam’s progress reinforced the idea that working on the underlying cause of pain can lead to long-term benefits.

Research supports that chiropractic care can be a safe and effective solution for neck pain. One study concluded that spinal manipulation offers better relief for chronic neck pain than other methods. Other research indicates that patients who seek chiropractic care are less likely to need opioid prescriptions. Such results provide solid evidence that natural care can ease pain and help avoid the risks that come with prescription drugs.

If neck pain is disrupting your life, consider a visit to a skilled chiropractor in Cranston, RI. Choosing natural treatment may help restore mobility and reduce the need for pain medications. Research and personal experiences like Liam’s remind you that addressing the root cause of neck pain can lead to a better quality of life.

References:
GBD 2021 Neck Pain Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain, 1990-2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Rheumatol. 2024;6(3):e142-e155. doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00321-1.

Safiri S, Kolahi AA, Hoy D, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain in the general population, 1990-2017: systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. BMJ. 2020;368:m791. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m791.

Hurwitz EL, Aker PD, Adams AH, Meeker WC, Shekelle PG. Manipulation and mobilization of the cervical spine. A systematic review of the literature. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996 Aug 1;21(15):1746-59; discussion 1759-60. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199608010-00007. PMID: 8855459.

National Research Council (US); Institute of Medicine (US). U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health. Woolf SH, Aron L, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2013. PMID: 24006554.

Kelsey L Corcoran, Lori A Bastian, Craig G Gunderson, Catherine Steffens, Alexandria Brackett, Anthony J Lisi. Association Between Chiropractic Use and Opioid Receipt Among Patients with Spinal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Pain Medicine. 2020 Feb;21(2):e139–e145. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz219.

James M Whedon, Andrew W J Toler, Louis A Kazal, Serena Bezdjian, Justin M Goehl, Jay Greenstein. Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain. Pain Medicine. 2020 Dec;21(12):3567–3573. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa014.