If you would try just about anything before
taking prescription opioids to treat physical pain, you're not alone: According to a
new report, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach.
In data collected from nearly 6,300 adults earlier this year as part of the Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Study of Americans, it was discovered that 78 percent of participants prefer finding another option to treat pain rather than taking meds from their doctors. One reason for that? Reportedly, 44 percent of Americans view commonly prescribed narcotics as a "crisis" or "very serious problem"—AKA not something they want to get caught up in.
"These developments could be a sign of a future where patients and health-care professionals alike are trying drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids."
"While public perceptions of options for drug-free pain management vary, these findings suggest that Americans are aware of the dangers associated with opioid misuse and are open to drug-free alternatives for pain management," writes the study authors, according to Time. "These developments could be a sign of a future where patients and health-care professionals alike are trying drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids."
Instead of using pain meds, 68 percent of the participants went with physical therapy as the safest option for treating physical pain, and chiropractic care came in second at 33 percent. It's clear that when it comes to treatment, patients prefer to literally put their health in the hands of professionals and then skip out on prescriptions altogether.
Here's what you should know about the future of physical therapy. Speaking of, you need to see the inside Brooklyn's Pilates and physical therapy center.
