Chiropractic care is helping veterans manage low back pain while reducing opioid use. Studies show that veterans receiving chiropractic treatments are 64% less likely to be prescribed opioids. Early intervention further decreases the likelihood of initial opioid use by 12% and long-term dependence by 44%.
Key findings include:
- 23% lower risk of receiving opioid prescriptions within the first year of chiropractic care.
- 34% fewer opioid prescriptions filled over 12 months.
- Reduction in pain intensity by 34.1% and improvement in functionality by 35.9%.
Despite its benefits, only 3.5% of VA patients accessed chiropractic care in FY 2022. Expanding access can improve pain management and reduce opioid reliance among veterans.
Direct Effects of Chiropractic Care on Pain and Medication Use
How Chiropractic Treatments Reduce Pain
Chiropractic care helps ease low back pain by realigning the spine and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. By improving spinal alignment, these adjustments enhance nervous system function, promote blood flow, support tissue repair, and reduce inflammation [4][3].
Research Results: Chiropractic Care and Opioid Use
A study conducted in May 2025 involving 128,377 veterans revealed a 23% lower risk of receiving opioid prescriptions within the first year of chiropractic treatment [2]. Key findings from the study include:
- 12% lower odds of initiating opioid use
- 44% lower odds of developing long-term opioid dependence
- 34% lower rate of prescription opioid fills over 12 months
- 73% reduction in prescription refills compared to those not receiving chiropractic care [6]
These results highlight how chiropractic care not only reduces reliance on opioids but also significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients.
Treatment Results in Veteran Patients
Clinical research further supports the benefits of chiropractic care, showing notable improvements in pain relief and physical function among veterans. For example, female veterans with low back pain experienced an average improvement of 27.3% in symptoms after 7.9 chiropractic sessions, with 47% achieving clinically meaningful pain reduction [7].
"The goal of SMT is to improve not only pain, but also patients’ physical condition, something the study suggests occurred." – Dr. Paul Dougherty [5]
For older male veterans dealing with chronic low back pain, the outcomes were similarly impressive:
- 34.1% reduction in pain intensity scores
- 35.9% improvement in back-specific functionality
- 57% of participants achieved significant pain relief
- 59% demonstrated meaningful functional improvements [7]
Between 2004 and 2015, the number of veterans receiving chiropractic care surged from 4,052 to 37,349 – an increase of 821.7%. Over the same period, chiropractic visits rose from 20,072 to 159,366, reflecting a 693.9% increase [7]. These figures underscore a growing recognition of chiropractic care’s role in managing pain and reducing medication dependence among veterans.
#355 Chiropractic & Less Pain Medication
Current Status of VA Chiropractic Services
The VA continues to build on the demonstrated benefits of chiropractic care, particularly its role in reducing reliance on opioids, by striving to make these services more widely accessible across the country.
Limits to VA Chiropractic Access
Despite the growth of chiropractic services within the VA system, access remains uneven. In FY 2022, only 3.5% of VA patients received chiropractic care. Services were available at 142 of 173 VA Medical Centers and 170 VA outpatient clinics, but the distribution was far from uniform:
- 2.0% of patients accessed care through the Community Care Network (CCN)
- 1.3% received services on-station within VA facilities
- 0.2% utilized both options [8]
Many major VA centers still lack on-staff chiropractors, leading to longer wait times and requiring veterans to travel greater distances for care.
"Chiropractic care is not just limited to spinal manipulations. We provide a broad range of evidence-based approaches to support patients in managing their health."
– Valerie Johnson, Supervisor of Chiropractic Services and Chiropractic Residency Director, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System [11]
To address these challenges, the VA has launched several initiatives aimed at expanding access to chiropractic care.
Ways to Improve VA Chiropractic Services
The VA anticipates that chiropractic care utilization will increase to 8.9% by FY 2027 [8]. Here’s how they plan to make that happen:
Expanding Services
The VA provides chiropractic care both on-station at its facilities and through the Community Care Network (CCN), which connects veterans to non-VA providers [8].
Improving Access for Female Veterans
The percentage of female veterans utilizing VA services has risen from 11.7% in FY 2005 to 17.7% in FY 2021 [10], highlighting efforts to better address the needs of women veterans.
Cost-Effective Care
An analysis from 2015 underscores the financial benefits of in-house chiropractic services:
| Service Type | Annual Visits | Patients | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Care | 159,533 | 19,435 | $11,155,654 |
| VA In-House | – | – | $8,415,960 |
Between FY 2016 and FY 2019, the number of VA-employed chiropractors grew from 102 to 167 [9], allowing the system to meet rising demand while keeping costs in check.
Telehealth Expansion
Telehealth services for chiropractic care have remained above pre-pandemic levels [9], offering veterans more flexible options for treatment. This approach not only improves access but also aligns with the VA’s broader mission to explore effective alternatives for pain management, reducing the need for opioids.
These ongoing efforts demonstrate the VA’s commitment to improving care and providing veterans with more accessible, affordable, and effective treatment options.
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Treatment Options for Low Back Pain
Recent efforts by the VA to expand non-drug pain management options have highlighted new evidence comparing treatment outcomes for veterans with low back pain. These findings emphasize the VA’s commitment to safer and more effective strategies for addressing pain.
Chiropractic Care vs. Physical Therapy Results
Non-drug treatments for low back pain show varying outcomes among veterans. For instance, only 40-43% of patients receive physical therapy (PT) care that aligns with clinical guidelines [13]. However, combining chiropractic care with standard medical treatment has shown measurable benefits for active-duty military personnel [12]. One study reported the following improvements when chiropractic care was added:
| Outcome Measure | Improvement with Chiropractic + Medical Care |
|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | −1.1 point reduction |
| Disability Score | −2.2 point reduction |
| Patient Satisfaction | +2.5 point increase |
| Global Improvement | Odds Ratio: 0.18 |
These benefits were consistently observed across multiple facilities, with participants reporting a significant boost in their overall perception of improvement after six weeks [12]. This data provides a strong case for further exploring chiropractic care, particularly in comparison to opioid-based treatments.
Pain Management: Chiropractic vs. Opioids
Chiropractic care also emerges as a promising alternative to opioids for managing pain.
"Patients with noncancer spinal pain who received chiropractic care were less likely to obtain a prescription for opioids than patients who did not receive chiropractic care." – ScienceDirect [14]
Key findings include:
- At one year, 51% of patients without chiropractic care had been prescribed opioids, compared to only 29% of those who received chiropractic care.
- Early chiropractic intervention (within 30 days) was linked to a 71% lower risk of receiving an opioid prescription [14].
- A systematic review revealed that patients receiving chiropractic care were nearly two-thirds less likely to be prescribed opioids (odds ratio: 0.36) [14].
The stakes are high: veterans prescribed higher doses of opioids face twice the risk of suicide compared to those on lower doses [1]. Research suggests that non-drug treatments, like chiropractic care, may help reduce risks associated with opioid use, including the development of substance use disorders, opioid poisoning, and even suicidal thoughts or attempts [1].
Conclusion: Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Veterans
Research clearly shows that chiropractic care plays a significant role in reducing opioid prescriptions among veterans dealing with low back pain. For instance, a study involving 128,377 VA patients revealed that only 13.0% of chiropractic care users were prescribed opioids, compared to 16.8% of non-users. The study also highlighted a number needed to treat of 27, emphasizing the measurable impact of this approach [15].
In fiscal year 2021, over 70,000 VA patients received more than 300,000 chiropractic treatments. Notably, 54% of these patients were managing both PTSD and chronic pain, showcasing the dual benefits of chiropractic care in addressing complex health conditions [16]. These findings reinforce the value of non-drug therapies in reducing opioid reliance while tackling the root causes of pain.
Here are some key outcomes that underline the effectiveness of chiropractic care:
| Outcome | Impact of Chiropractic Care |
|---|---|
| Opioid Prescription Risk | 64% lower odds compared to non-users |
| Service Growth | Increased from 4,000 to 37,000 veterans (2005–2015) |
| Patient Coverage | Expected to reach 2.3% of VA healthcare users by FY 2027 |
These numbers highlight the growing role of chiropractic care in improving veterans’ overall health. This is especially crucial as low back pain remains the most common musculoskeletal diagnosis in VA facilities, accounting for 18.3% of outpatient visits and affecting 43.1% of unique patients [2]. Additionally, veterans who incorporate chiropractic care into their treatment plans tend to require fewer other healthcare services, such as advanced imaging, injections, and medications [2].
FAQs
How can chiropractic care help reduce opioid prescriptions for veterans with low back pain?
Chiropractic care provides a drug-free option for managing low back pain, making it a valuable alternative for veterans. By using hands-on techniques, spinal adjustments, and tailored care plans, chiropractors aim to alleviate pain and improve physical function – without the need for medications.
Studies reveal that veterans who include chiropractic care in their treatment plans are significantly less likely to receive opioid prescriptions. In fact, research highlights up to a 71% lower risk of being prescribed opioids when chiropractic care is introduced early. This not only offers effective pain relief but also reduces the dangers tied to long-term opioid use, such as dependency and adverse side effects.
What challenges do veterans face in accessing chiropractic care through the VA, and how is the VA improving access?
Veterans often encounter hurdles when trying to access chiropractic care through the VA. These challenges include limited service availability, difficulties in scheduling appointments, and a general lack of awareness about the care options available. Many clinics operate with restricted hours, making it tough for veterans to find convenient times for visits. On top of that, chiropractic care isn’t always seamlessly integrated into their broader treatment plans. A shortage of chiropractors within the VA system only adds to the problem, further restricting access.
In response, the VA is working to expand chiropractic services to more facilities and enhance staff training to make referrals smoother. They’re also focusing on educating veterans about the advantages of chiropractic care, particularly as a non-drug approach to managing pain. By weaving these services more effectively into treatment plans, the VA hopes to improve access to alternative pain relief methods and reduce dependence on opioids.
How does chiropractic care compare to physical therapy in managing low back pain for veterans?
Chiropractic care has shown to be an effective way to manage low back pain (LBP) in veterans, often working alongside traditional non-drug treatments like physical therapy. Research reveals that veterans who combine chiropractic care with standard medical treatments tend to experience better outcomes. They report greater relief from pain and improved mobility compared to those relying solely on standard care. In fact, within just six weeks of chiropractic treatment, many patients see noticeable reductions in both pain intensity and disability.
Chiropractic care also plays a role in reducing reliance on opioids for managing pain. Studies show that veterans using chiropractic services are significantly less likely to be prescribed opioids within a year compared to those who don’t. This makes chiropractic care not only a tool for pain relief but also a way to lower the risks of opioid dependency among veterans.
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