Can Chiropractors Prescribe Pain Medications

Patients in Brandon, FL and the surrounding areas come to the chiropractic foot specialists from Brandon Chiropractic Associates with many medical conditions and health concerns. Some patients experience chronic, severe pain in their neck, shoulder, back, or legs due to spinal misalignment, pinched nerves, and other problems.

They often ask, "Can chiropractors prescribe pain medication?" Generally, the answer is no, but there are several factors to consider.

Why "Can Chiropractors Prescribe Pain Medication" Isn't Always the Best Question to Ask

At Brandon Chiropractic Associates, we do everything we can to make our patients comfortable and relieve their pain. Patients sometimes ask us whether we can prescribe pain relievers such as opioids to treat pain. Our philosophy is to avoid dependence on pain medication and address the root cause of the pain. 

We take a holistic approach to pain management. The root cause of pain could involve your spine, joints, and the soft tissue of your back and neck. We aim to treat the whole person, so asking, "Can chiropractors prescribe pain medication?" isn't central to our therapeutic approach.

Who Can Prescribe Medication?

Chiropractors cannot prescribe medication in Florida and most other U.S. states. If a patient needs pain medication, they must consult a physician or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with medical training in pain management. 

Although we might coordinate our treatment with a medical doctor who prescribes narcotics, we are not in the business of masking pain. Instead, our goal is to restore your pain-free lifestyle by guiding your spine into a natural, healthy alignment.

Physicians and other medical doctors can prescribe medication for pain relief and other conditions. Meanwhile, psychiatrists can prescribe drugs to treat the psychological aspects of chronic pain, such as anxiety. Additionally, physician's assistants can prescribe medication in Florida with some restrictions.

A chiropractor would only be able to prescribe medications if, in addition to their credentials as a chiropractor, they are also a licensed medical practitioner in good standing in one of the professions listed above.

Pain Treatments from a Chiropractic Practice

The answer to the question, "Can chiropractors prescribe pain medication? is "no" in most cases. However, that does not mean that chiropractors cannot treat pain. Chiropractors can recommend alternatives to drugs for pain relief, such as:

• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Dietary and herbal supplements

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or treatments you are taking since these treatments can interact with medications or affect the course of other medical treatments. It is important to us that our patients achieve mental wellness and whole-body physical wellness. Patients often benefit from a combination of chiropractic and non-chiropractic treatments.

Make an Appointment for Chiropractic Services from Brandon Chiropractic Associates

At Brandon Chiropractic Associates, we have considerable experience treating all kinds of pain. We are confident you will be happy with the results when you sign up for a course of chiropractic treatments with us. Instead of asking, "Can chiropractors prescribe pain medication?" ask yourself, "How can a chiropractor relieve my pain safely and effectively?"If foot pain, leg pain, back pain, or any other chronic pain condition interferes with your quality of life, don’t wait for it to worsen. Call Brandon Chiropractic Associates for a consultation with a member of our qualified chiropractic team to explore natural remedies that restore balance and alignment to your body. Learn more on what to expect on your first chiropractic adjustment in this article.