Why Non-Drug Pain Management & Chiropractic Care Are Safe Alternatives to Opioids

In the face of the ongoing opioid crisis, individuals suffering from musculoskeletal pain – particularly those living with chronic pain – are increasingly seeking alternatives to long-term opioid use. This is where non-drug pain management strategies shine—specifically chiropractic care as an alternative to opioids. Drug-free pain relief options help patients avoid medication risks while addressing the root causes of pain. At Chiro One, we specialize in evidence-based chiropractic care that supports opioid alternatives for pain relief in a safe, effective way.

Why Consider Drug-free Pain Relief?

• Opioids, while sometimes helpful, carry serious risks including dependency, overdose and limited long-term benefit.
• Clinical guidelines now recommend non-opioid therapies and non-pharmacologic treatments as first-line for musculoskeletal pain.
• Many patients prefer natural pain relief options over drugs and are open to non-opioid pain management.

What is Chiropractic Care & How it Helps

Chiropractic care involves a licensed practitioner (typically a Doctor of Chiropractic) who uses spinal adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and patient education to treat musculoskeletal conditions. It offers chronic pain management without drugs, and when applied correctly it supports why chiropractic care is safer than opioids.

Key Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Manual spinal adjustments and therapeutic movements target the source of pain rather than just masking symptoms.

Encourages active participation in recovery (movement, posture awareness, exercise) rather than passive reliance on medications.

Integrates well as part of a multidisciplinary plan, especially for conditions like back pain and neck pain. For example, in a pragmatic clinical trial, adding chiropractic care to usual medical care yielded significant improvements in low back pain intensity and disability.

Provides an opioid free pain solution pathway by reducing the likelihood of opioid prescriptions in patients with spine pain. For example, one large retrospective study found patients with spinal pain who saw a chiropractor had approximately half the risk of filling an opioid prescription compared to those who did not.

Evidence & Research Summary

Here’s a table summarizing key research supporting chiropractic care and non-drug pain management as safe alternatives to opioids:

Study / Finding	Key Insights
Association Between Chiropractic Use and Opioid Receipt Among Patients With Spinal Pain (systematic review)	Chiropractic users had 64% lower odds of receiving an opioid prescription vs non-users (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.30-0.43) in patients with back/neck pain. PubMed+1
Effect of Usual Medical Care Plus Chiropractic Care vs Usual Medical Care Alone on Pain and Disability Among US Service Members With Low Back Pain (JAMA Network Open, 2018)	In active-duty personnel with low back pain: adding chiropractic care improved pain intensity (mean difference -1.1) and disability (-2.2 on Roland-Morris) over 6 weeks; fewer used analgesics including opioids. JAMA Network
A retrospective analysis of pain changes and opioid use patterns temporally associated with a course of chiropractic care	In a publicly funded inner-city setting, chiropractic care was associated with significant decreases in pain scores and opioid use. PMC
Cost of chiropractic versus medical management of adults with spine pain (2024)	Chiropractic care as first provider was associated with reduced opioid dispensing and potentially lower downstream costs (e.g., fewer surgeries, less opioid use). BioMed Central

These findings support the position that chiropractic care offers drug-free back pain treatment, reduces reliance on opioid prescriptions, and aligns with guidelines recommending non-pharmacologic therapies.

Why Non-drug Pain Management + Chiropractic Care is a Safe Alternative to Opioids

• Lower risk of addiction: Unlike opioids, which carry the risk of dependence and overdose, chiropractic care avoids those dangers while addressing pain.
• Addresses the root cause, not just symptoms: Chiropractic focuses on underlying biomechanical, postural or musculoskeletal imbalances, rather than simply masking pain.
• Supports long-term function and mobility: By promoting movement, strength and alignment, chiropractic care supports sustainable wellness—critical for chronic pain management without drugs.
• Aligned with opioid-reduction strategies: With the opioid crisis and pain management intimately linked, shifting to evidence-based opioid alternatives for pain relief is timely and responsible.
• Proven effectiveness and safety: As summarized above, clinical evidence indicates chiropractic care can produce meaningful pain relief and reduce medication reliance.

When is Chiropractic Care most Appropriate?

You may be a good candidate for chiropractic-based pain relief if you:

• Are experiencing musculoskeletal pain (back, neck, joint) and want to avoid or reduce opioid use.
• Want a natural pain relief option rather than immediate reliance on strong medications.
• Are seeking non-opioid pain management and want to explore how chiropractic helps reduce painwithout medication.
• Prefer hands-on, movement-based treatments and are willing to be an active participant in your recovery.

At Chiro One, we customize care plans that may include spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises, posture correction, lifestyle guidance and ongoing monitoring—forming a holistic, drug-free strategy for pain relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is chiropractic care only for back pain?

While commonly used for back and neck pain, chiropractic methods can also support certain joint pains, headaches and musculoskeletal dysfunctions—always under proper evaluation and clinical judgement.

Q: Will chiropractic care completely eliminate the need for opioids?

Every case is unique. Chiropractic care does not guarantee zero opioid use for all patients, especially those with complex pain or medical conditions. But the evidence shows it significantly reduces the odds of starting or continuing opioid therapy. For example, early chiropractic use was linked to 12% lower odds of incident opioid use in one large observational study.

Q: Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes, when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. Adverse events are rare; the key is proper screening, clinical judgement and clear communication between patient and provider. The study of active-duty military personnel reported no serious related adverse events.

Take the Next step: Schedule an Appointment with Chiro One Near You

If you’re looking for an opioid free pain solution, or seeking drug free pain relief through personalized care, now is the time to act. At Chiro One Wellness Centers, our team specializes in evidence-based chiropractic care tailored to your needs.

Call or book online today and let us help you explore safer, non-drug pain management and chiropractic care as an alternative to opioids. Your path to natural, sustainable relief begins here.