Data collected for the Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Study of Americans reveal that “78% of Americans prefer to try other ways to address their physical pain before they take pain medication prescribed by a doctor.”
In addition, “44% of Americans see prescription painkillers as a ‘crisis’ or ‘very serious problem’ in their local area, and 55% of those who know about the problem place ‘a lot’ of blame on ‘the pharmaceutical industry encouraging doctors to use opioids. Fifty-three percent place ‘a lot’ of blame on ‘doctors overprescribing painkillers to their patients.’”
The report states “these data could be a sign of a future where patients and healthcare professionals alike favor drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids.”
The findings are encouraging for massage therapists, who can offer drug-free methods of pain relief.
