The problem with opioids is well documented. It’s basically taking Heroin in a pill. They can cause constipation, are addictive and people overdose on them and die everyday. Overdoses involving opioids killed nearly 47,000 people in 2018, and 32% of those deaths involved prescription opioids.2 More than 750,000 people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose.1 Two out of three drug overdose deaths in 2018 involved an opioid.2
Yes, opioids can reduce your pain, but they do nothing to SOLVE the problem. Opioids are substances that work in the nervous system of the body or in specific receptors in the brain to reduce the intensity of pain. Overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids (like fentanyl), have increased almost six times since 1999.1
Statistics show that 50% of people with low back pain go see a physician and of these people 50% are prescribed opioids and only 7% are prescribed physical therapy or referred to a physical therapist! Know this, you don’t need a referral or prescription to see us at Expert Doctors of Physical therapy. Call today at (678) 532-7754 schedule an appointment.
References
- Wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER). Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2020. Available at http://wonder.cdc.gov.
- Wilson N, Kariisa M, Seth P, et al. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—United States, 2017-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:290-297.