Alternative Treatment Options to Opioids for Patients with Chronic Pain

In 2017, the US Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the US Opioid Epidemic.  This epidemic, or crisis, is the widespread overuse, misuse, abuse, and overdose deaths caused by opioids.  Opioids are pain medications that are frequently prescribed and taken for chronic pain.  Unfortunately, opioids can be highly addictive with multiple side effects and the risk of overdosing.  So great efforts are being made to find alternative treatment options for patients with chronic pain to replace or at least decrease the use of opioids.  The 2017 review below found evidence that acupuncture, massage, and spinal manipulation may have benefit for chronic pain.  This review found strong evidence for acupuncture as a complementary treatment for chronic pain that decreased opioid usage.

Using Integrative Medicine in Pain Management: An Evaluation of Current Evidence

Lin, Yuan-Chi, Limeng Wan, and Robert N. Jamison. "Using Integrative Medicine in Pain Management: An Evaluation of Current Evidence." Anesthesia and analgesia 125.6 (2017): 2081-2093.