To Your Health
November, 2021 (Vol. 15, Issue 11) |
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Chiropractic: The Drug-Free Pain Reliever Seniors Need
By Editorial Staff
Know what
NSAID means? It's the acronym for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and you've almost certainly taken one before; you just didn't know what it was. Next question: Have you ever popped an Advil, Motrin, Aleve or aspirin for pain relief? You were taking a NSAID ever time.
Children and adults take far too many NSAIDs, considering the potential side effects compared to nondrug pain relief such as chiropractic, but seniors with osteoarthritis and/or back pain should absolutely avoid NSAIDs according to new research. Published in Pain Practice, the study evaluated the safety risks associated with NSAID use by elderly patients (≥65 years) compared with younger patients (<65 years) suffering from osteoarthritis and/or chronic low back pain.
The risk of suffering a gastrointestinal (GI), renal or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) event – all three of which are "well-known events associated with NSAID use," according to the study authors – in seniors taking NSAIDs was higher than in younger patients; the increased risk was particularly high in patients ages 70 and older – and "remarkable" in patients over the age of 80: twice the risk, seven times the risk and 10 times the risk of experiencing a GI, AMI or renal event, respectively.
Based on their findings, the study authors conclude that to reduce these risks, "NSAIDs should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible." Unfortunately, what they don't suggest is the no-brainer: why not avoid NSAIDs altogether and reduce your risk of a NSAID-related health complication altogether? Considering chiropractors routinely manage patients with chronic back pain and osteoarthritis, it's the safer, sensible choice for seniors – and adults – instead of turning to the medicine cabinet for another pain pill.
