Opioid Management and the Impact of Chiropractic Care

Course overview

Describe the scope of the opioid crisis in the United States and identify musculoskeletal pain as a primary driver of opioid prescription and long-term use. Summarize key research findings demonstrating the association between chiropractic care and reduced opioid prescription rates in patients with spinal pain. Explain how early chiropractic intervention influences the likelihood of opioid prescription compared to primary care physician-initiated treatment. Interpret research methodology including retrospective cohort design, odds ratios, and meta-analysis as applied to chiropractic and opioid outcomes studies. Apply current evidence to support chiropractic as a first-line, non-pharmacological treatment option in the clinical management of spinal pain.