Changing How the VA Manages Pain

A groundbreaking study reveals the significant role of chiropractic care in reducing opioid prescriptions among veterans with low back pain (LBP) within the Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare system. Published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the research, led by Anthony Lisi, DC, tracked over 128,000 veterans for one year. It found that veterans receiving chiropractic care were 23% less likely to be prescribed opioids compared to those who didn't; only 13.0% of chiropractic users received opioids versus 16.8% of non-users.This landmark study supports the use of nondrug treatments as a crucial first step for musculoskeletal pain. Its strength lies in its robust methodology, matching patient complexities and observing real-world VA care. Crucially, even though chiropractic patients were still within the VA system and could have received opioids from other providers, their opioid use remained lower. This suggests that expanding access to chiropractic care could significantly decrease new opioid prescriptions, potentially reducing the risk of opioid dependence. The findings firmly position chiropractic treatment as an evidence-based, viable alternative to opioids for managing LBP, offering a powerful tool for patients and providers seeking to minimize analgesic use.