The most commonly recommended drugs consumed by back pain sufferers consist of Tylenol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs, and opioids. These categories of drugs come with the risk of harm and adverse events.

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Long thought to be safe and the most widely used non-opioid pain killer in the world, acetaminophen was recently reported to be associated with significant toxic effects including hepatic and renal disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and high blood pressure (particularly at higher doses).

NSAIDs (Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Celebrex, Aleve, etc.) Doctors most commonly prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for older adults with chronic non-cancer pain. NSAID drugs carry an increased risk of gastrointestinal reactions and a one hundred percent increased risk of heart failure. Patients using NSAIDs endure an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Opioids Adverse effects of opioid therapy include depression, sexual dysfunction, myocardial infarction, addiction, and increased risk of death due to overdose. The alarmingly high risk of adverse drug effects due to opioids continues to rapidly escalate. Opioid use and abuse created a worldwide epidemic due to the destruction and devastation inflicted on users and their families. The rate of death from opioids involved overdoses increased by 200% since 2000.

Better education and distribution of facts serves to benefit society on an individual basis. 59% of American adults who ingest prescription opioids suffer from back pain. Alternative solutions exist for back pain sufferers. A 2018 study determined that Chiropractic based solutions and strategies for back pain lowered the risk of adverse drug events by 51%. Chiropractic care provided healing and relief which allowed patients to use lower or less frequent doses of pain medications. Patients experienced reduced risks of NSAID drug-induced bleeding, opioid overdoses, and other adverse drug events.

Nearly 80% of adults reported that they prefer non-pharmacological care over the use of drugs for the treatment of pain. Too many people have witnessed or learned of the devastation inflicted by someone’s dependency on a drug regimen that never provides a permanent healing solution. A growing population of adults adamantly wants non-drug strategies for pain relief. Chiropractic continues to play an increased and important role in healthcare. Availability and increased utilization of Chiropractic promotes a reduction in both drug prescriptions and the risk of adverse drug reactions. An increased understanding of the scientifically proven benefits of Chiropractic care serves to benefit the health care options available to those wanting to trade a pharmaceutical solution for better healing and a brighter future.

The post Chiropractic Helps Avoid the Dangers and Risks of… Tylenol, NSAIDs, & Opioids first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

1. 800 mg of iron- this ensures the proper production of RBC.  Iron is found in lean red meat, most dark leafy vegetables or a liquid supplement is often available. (Vit C helps in iron digestion)

2. Folic acid (folate) is important to nervous system development and must not be omitted.  Luckily it’s found in most of the same foods you find iron.

3. 1200 mg of calcium.  This is found in dairy, and also almonds.  (Vit D helps in the absorption of calcium)

*Luckily with the advancement of technology, there have been many great “pre-natal vitamins” created to make the consumption of these vitamins and minerals a cinch, but don’t rely purely on a supplement and neglect the food intake.  You want to get as close to the source as possible.

Weight Gain

It wasn’t that long ago when mothers-to-be were told to restrict weight gain to 8-10 pounds.  This is no longer the case.  The latest research shows that weight gain of 25-35 pounds or more is healthy as long as it’s on a high protein diet that is well balanced and the foods are not laden with chemicals, preservatives or refined sugars.  Be cautious when taking too much Vitamin B when pregnant because it tends to reduce the amount of available breast milk.  Another interesting facts are that babies do not like garlic so try to avoid that if breastfeeding and too much chocolate can lead to diarrhea in babies.  Moms have also been told to restrict their salt intake but natural sodium is important in the production of extra blood volume and a lack can be disastrous.  I recommend salting your food to taste with Celtic or Sea Salt.  In the end, listen to what your body tells you.  With our first, my wife craved saltine crackers and pickles (she must have needed the sodium).  And boy, does my daughter love crackers and pickles still to this day.

Pregnancy No-Nos

1. Alcohol- this has been shown to cause problems with the baby’s nervous system.  Some researchers say a little is okay, but error on the side of caution and avoid it if possible.

2. Caffeine- found in coffee, soda, teas and chocolate.  Too much has been linked to birth defects so it’s best to limit your intake or again, avoid it completely.

3. Artificial sugars and sweeteners- it’s a good rule of thumb for all of us to avoid these but it’s an absolute necessity if you are pregnant.  Avoid these at all costs.

4. Medications- be cautious with medications because many have the tendency to cross the placental barrier and affect the baby.

One of the most common nuisances in pregnant moms is morning sickness.  It affects everyone differently and it is often caused by hypoglycemia or “low blood sugar”.  Since your baby steals your food as you sleep, you’ll generally wake up in the morning with very low blood sugar which is often what causes the sickness.  A trick that worked for my wife was to keep a snack near the bed.  The moment her eyes opened in the morning, she was consuming something and she didn’t suffer like others (maybe she was just lucky?).

Can you receive chiropractic care while pregnant?

This is a fantastic question and one that I have talked extensively about and even made some videos for social media.  Not only is chiropractic care okay during pregnancy, but it’s encouraged.  The main reason you’ll want chiropractic care during pregnancy is that your body will be going through so many rapid changes which often lead to pain and discomfort especially in the lower back and sciatic nerve.  We can often facilitate the changes to happen more smoothly and avoid the pain.  Many moms also swear that chiropractic care during pregnancy makes delivery much more tolerable and some state that it reduces labor times.  And lastly, chiropractic care has been shown to aid in the proper positioning of babies when moms present early on with breech presentations.  A combination of chiropractic, acupuncture and exercises/stretching can do wonders for these situations.

As always, the first step on the road to health is a consultation with Dr. Travis Ring of Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic.  It’s as easy as a phone call to 918-940-4630 and we can get you started down the right path.  Moms that experience chiropractic care often says they wish they had known about it during their previous pregnancies.  Don’t be the one who wishes they would’ve made the call.

The post How should I change my habits now that I’m pregnant? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.