Chiropractic and Acupuncture – Alternatives to

Traditional Pain Relief

By: Robert Badman and Jack Iffert

Intro to Alternatives

Left: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Da_Vinci_Vitruve_Luc_Viatour.jpg

"Take two Advil and call me in the morning." Is something we're willing to bet that you've heard from a medical practitioner before. Our reliance on drugs and medication is higher than ever. American doctors are quick to prescribe expensive and ineffective drugs to help you forget about your pain, but how often does Advil actually help solve the underlying problem? Alternative medicine practices, such as acupuncture and chiropractic care are rarely discussed, but they are very effective in treating pain at its origin, rather than merely masking the pain until it's time for the next dose.

Especially in the United States, there is a notable rift between those who practice Traditional Western Medicine and those

that practice Alternative medicine. Alternative medicine is viewed with a

negative stigma, that the treatments are magic and not based on real results. In this photo essay we hope to dispel some of the

misconceptions held against alternative medicine, and spread awareness that

alternative medicine is a very viable option for treating back and neck pain and

promoting general wellness.

Conflicting Viewpoints

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Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is often used to alleviate back

pain. Doctors manipulate the back and joints to

remove current pain and to prevent future pain.

Chiropractors often incorporate a better diet

and rehab into the treatment for back pain.

It turns out that chiropractic care is also great for helping with neck pain, headaches,

osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia! If you are

experience a pain in your back, please consider

visiting your local chiropractor soon!

http://casechiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spine.jpg

http://www.acatoday.org/portals/60/Images/Infographics/surgery_infographic.png

http://www.acatoday.org/portals/60/Images/Infographics/opioid-infographic.png

http://www.acatoday.org/portals/60/Images/Infographics/surgery_infographic.pnghttp://www.acatoday.org/portals/60/Images/Infographics/20percent_infographic.png

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Across America, adults have a greater than 1 in 2 chance to be on a prescription painkiller. MDs are more likely to prescribe painkillers than a chiropractor or acupuncturists. See if you can find your state on the map! If you use alternative medicine, you are less likely to contribute to the unbelievably high numbers of painkillers in that state.

Below: https://biofreshblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/piles-

of-pills.jpg

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http://www.drjamesodell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/acupuncture.jpg?quality=100.3015061321280

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has numerous benefits for your body. Whether it's helping get rid of those long-lasting headaches or improving your mood in the long run, acupuncture patients report feeling more healthful and happy after long term treatment. People report clearer sinuses and less heartburn compared with increased dosages of western medication. Regardless of the health issue, you can visit your local acupuncturist to see if they can help you today!

Left: http://www.prevention.com/sites/prevention.com/files/static/Accupuncture-Your-Body-On.jpg?1421425834

Below: http://www.acupuncture-for-weight-loss.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/WHAT-DOES-ACUPUNCTURE-TREAT.jpg

At its inception in China over 2,500 years ago, acupuncture's purpose was to help balance the body's natural energy, or chi. However, the practice has recently been backed by substantial scientific evidence. A 2010 study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that acupuncture releases the amino acid, adenosine, which is used to reduce pain in injured areas. Further research shows that acupuncture is a viable treatment for ailments from emotional disorders to chronic degenerative diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Amino Acid Adenosine

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http://www.acupuncturestatecollege.com/what-is-acupuncture/

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If you are still doubting the effectiveness of alternative medicine, check out this information! When asked a variety of questions, participants in a survey reported very positive effects from trying acupuncture! If you are concerned about pain, look at the size comparison of needles to other small objects!

http://www.fusionchiroacu.com/acupuncture.html

Are you stressed? Tired? Apathetic? Do you have

reduced sex drive or increased fatigue? Well,

this isn't a Viagra commercial, but

acupuncture can help you more in the long term

than popping a pill when you need it! Acupuncture is also unisex: anyone can

use it!

In conclusion, acupuncture and chiropractic care are very viable alternatives to traditional western medicine. These practices do not rely on prescription drugs and focus on carefully reducing the pain at its source, rather than masking the pain or

performing risky surgeries. While many Americans are skeptical of alternative medicine, know that over half of American adults have seen a chiropractor, dissolving

the myth that alternative care is an unpopular form of care in the United States.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/184910/majority-say-chiropractic-works-neck-back-pain.aspx?g_source=chiropractic&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles

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How to Get Involved: Try Chiropractic. The service basically sells itself! Try it once and you'll be hooked. Feel better your whole life, with fewer drugs and lower costs.

Try Acupuncture. Again, the service basically sells itself! Try it once and you'll be hooked. Feel better your whole life, with fewer drugs and lower costs.

You can also get involved with the American Chiropractic Association at ACAToday.org.

If you want to donate money, you can subscribe to newsletters through www.aaaomonline.org. They are the premier group to pass acupuncture legislation in America!

Finally, you can sign the petition here: https://goo.gl/z4aQO9 This petition is to approve funding for veterans and seniors to get access to acupuncture to help with conditions best treated by alternative medicine.