Two recent Time Magazine articles explore the problems with Pain Management in America.

The Problem with Treating Pain in America Time Magazine January 12, 2015

The number of prescriptions written for opioids as well opioid overdose deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, highlighting a growing addiction problem in the U.S. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a report in January citing major gaps in the way American clinicians are treating pain. The NIH says that based on its assessment, healthcare providers in the United States are poorly prepared for managing pain, and many hold stigmas against their own patients seeking relief. For better care, the NIH says the medical community needs to start applying individualized treatment for chronic pain, and a multi-disciplinary approach should be used.

America’s Pain Killer Problem is Growing, Federal Data Shows Time Magazine February 25, 2015

This article was triggered by new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) that the percentage of adults using prescription pain killers remains significantly higher than in the past, while the painkillers people are taking are stronger than they used to be. This is resulting in an epidemic of pain killer addiction and related deaths, especially for women. Prior data from the CDC has also shown that nearly 50 Americans die from an overdose of prescription painkillers every day.

Absolute Wellness Center offers sports medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, and massage therapy for conservative pain management in Eugene, OR.