The case for alternative approaches in fighting the opioid epidemic

February 14, 2018
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Have you heard? Due to soaring opioid overdose deaths (deaths in the U.S. from opioid-related overdoses jumped another 21% last year), American life expectancy dropped for the second year in a row in 2017.

It’s no great secret that powerful pain killers have become a major problem, both in dense urban areas and in rural cities and towns. From the deep south to the Pacific Northwest, this is an epidemic that touches every corner of the country.

As a result, there has been a big spike in interest surrounding alternative pain treatments and medicines. Whether it be yoga, massage, or better nutrition, people from coast-to-coast are ditching pills in favor of a natural pain-free life.

Even more, researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that something as simple as regular yoga can go a long way in relieving the symptoms of chronic pain. They also studied acupuncture, relaxation techniques, massage therapy, and nutritional supplements.

While many of the studies in question did not specifically comment on the effects of alternative treatments in reference to opioid use, it does suggest that people could greatly benefit from alternative treatments where treating chronic pain is concerned.

Further studies are ongoing, but the initial findings are promising. In the search for safer options than the powerful pain killers we’ve become accustomed to, alternative medicine is a welcome sight.