Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief: Could It Reduce the Need for Opioid Medication?

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare. For many, it’s not just a dull ache—it can radiate down the leg, causing what’s known as radicular low back pain (often linked to sciatica). Traditionally, medications—including opioids—have been prescribed to manage this type of pain. But new research highlights how chiropractic spinal manipulation (CSM) may play an important role in reducing the need for these medications.

The Problem with Opioid Prescriptions

While opioids can sometimes help with short-term pain, they carry well-known risks: dependence, side effects, and long-term health consequences. Even less potent opioids, like tramadol, can lead to unwanted reliance. That’s why finding effective, non-drug options for pain management is more important than ever.

What the Research Shows

A large U.S. study looked at adults aged 18–50 with newly diagnosed radicular low back pain. Researchers compared two groups:

One group received chiropractic spinal manipulation
The other received usual medical care

Here’s what they found:

Patients who started with chiropractic care were significantly less likely to be prescribed tramadol during the following year.
The reduced reliance on tramadol wasn’t just short-term—it was consistent over the entire year.
Other care measures like imaging, physical therapy, or use of NSAIDs were similar between both groups.

This suggests that chiropractic care may help manage pain in a way that reduces the need for prescription opioids.

What This Means for You

If you’re living with low back pain or sciatica, chiropractic care offers a safe, natural approach. By addressing the underlying function of your spine and nervous system, chiropractic adjustments aim to reduce pain, improve movement, and support your body’s natural healing—without relying on medication.

While every case is unique, this study reinforces what many patients already know: chiropractic care can be an effective first step in managing low back pain and may help you avoid unnecessary prescriptions.

Taking Care of Your Back, Naturally

At our clinic, we focus on helping patients find long-term solutions to back pain. If you’ve been struggling with ongoing low back pain, or if you want to explore non-drug pain management options, chiropractic care could be a valuable choice.

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The image shows a professional performing a hands-on treatment on a patient lying on a massage table in a clinical setting.

Reference:

Trager RJ, Cupler ZA, Srinivasan R, Casselberry RM, Perez JA, Dusek JA. Chiropractic spinal manipulation and likelihood of tramadol prescription in adults with radicular low back pain: a retrospective cohort study using US data. BMJ Open. 2024 May 1;14(5):e078105. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078105. PMID: 38692725; PMCID: PMC11086504.