Report Affirms Effectiveness of Some Non-Opioid Alternatives for Managing Chronic Pain

Report Affirms Effectiveness of Some Non-Opioid Alternatives for Managing Chronic Pain

A new AHRQ evidence review concludes that exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture are among non-drug treatments that can effectively manage some chronic pain conditions for more than one month after treatment. The report follows an update to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which recommend non-pharmacological interventions as a first line of treatment for chronic pain before initiating opioid therapy.  Authors of AHRQ’s report reviewed the evidence on non-pharmacological therapies for common conditions including chronic low back and neck pain, knee and hip osteoarthritis, chronic headache tension and fibromyalgia. The AHRQ review found no published studies that directly compared opioids to alternatives for pain management, and most lacked evidence on long-term effectiveness. The findings in this report can help clinicians, patients and policymakers make better-informed decisions to improve the management of chronic pain.

Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review | Effective Health Care Program