Toronto, ON (November 16, 2016) – Opioids have quickly emerged as one of the primary means for treating chronic pain. Currently, Canada is the second-highest consumer of prescription opioids in the world, with available evidence pointing to back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions as one of the key drivers. Deaths associated with prescription opioids may now exceed 2,000 Canadians annually.
It is clear that we are facing a national crisis. In response, the Canadian Chiropractic Association is today releasing A Better Approach to Pain Management in Canada. This white paper looks beyond the immediate critical challenges of substance abuse to review available evidence on measures that can help reduce the pressure to prescribe opioids for back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Canada needs a comprehensive, patient-centred approach to reducing opioid prescribing. The CCA white paper makes four key recommendations that together will help more Canadians access safer and more effective non-pharmacological approaches to managing chronic pain, including chiropractic care.
The chiropractic profession, as musculoskeletal experts treating 4.5 million Canadians each year, is committed to being a part of the solution to this crisis. The profession will be participating in the national Opioid Conference and Summit on November 18 and 19, 2016. The CCA will be represented by Alison Dantas, CEO, and CCA First Vice-Chair Dr. Gerald Olin.
For more information, please contact:
Ashley Rensler, CCA Public Affairs
Telephone: 647-317-9057
Email: ashley@impactcanada.com
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The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) is a national association representing 7,800 of Canada’s 9,000 licensed doctors of chiropractic. Approximately four and a half million Canadians use the services of a chiropractor each year. The CCA advocates on behalf of members and their patients to advance the quality and accessibility of chiropractic care in Canada and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system. For more information on the CCA or for a referral to a doctor of chiropractic, please visit www.chiropractic.ca.