www.njchiropractors.com I 3 TM Insurance Update MEDICARE Q&A L ANJC Leadership Executive Director’s UPDATE rs UPDATE Le “I Can’t Believe That I Really Am a Drug Addict” Yup… that’s exactly what I heard from a patient I had been treating for chronic degenerative lower back problems for several years with a pain management doctor who gave oral opioid medications the entire course of care while also performing SI joint injections, transforaminal facet injections, radiofrequency ablasion and then suggesting implantation of a spinal cord stimulator. Presenting to the office for her first visit, she had the sweats and was extremely nervous because she had used her prescribed medications as well as her allotment of breakthrough medications. She decided her only choice of last resort was a seeing a chiropractor for relief. She said it was her last resort. It should have been her first! We have all had very similar stories like this where patients have been on medica- tions for extended periods of time, got minimal relief, then turned to conservative care because they did not want to continue down the medication path. Many got hooked and suffered the various consequences of the drugs. While these medications are important at times, the over-prescribing of pain/ opioid medications has led to a nationwide epidemic and cries out for the chiropractic profession to step forward and take its rightful place as the leader of drug-free pain relief in the world. Who better than the profession that for the past 100 years has been telling anyone who would listen that chiropractic care just might make a difference in their health without the use of drugs and surgeries? We have been the quiet leader, but now I challenge each and every one of you to be a vocal leader in fighting the drug crisis that – guess what – we had absolutely nothing to do with in the first place! Opioids… Opioids… Opioids Although we can help a wide variety of conditions, patients predominantly walk through our door initially for some type of pain relief. They want to feel better and stay away from medications as best as possible. Our role as a primary healthcare provider in New Jersey is to fully educate the patient on the pitfalls of extensive use of medications as well as the benefits of non-drug, conservative care. Have you talked to the patient about their medica- tion list and suggested maybe they need to go back to the allopathic doctor to review their medications to see what really is necessary? Send a written report to the patient’s PCP that one of your main goals is to reduce the need for the pain medications the patient has been on. Include an article on the impact chiropractic has on various conditions. Keep it professional and on point. Time to Change The Public’s Thinking to Non-Drug Pain Relief First, Not Last! The time is now, right now, to start our statewide effort to educate each and every patient that walks through our door that the overuse of prescribed pain medications could get them addicted and/or possibly kill them, and that they need to understand non-drug, conservative care must be their first attempt to get relief from their problems. [ CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ] By Dr. Steve Clarke ANJC President What’s Inside: President’s Letter Page 3-4 ANJC Leadership Page 4 Our New Members Page 5 Executive Director’s Update Page 5 Featured Articles: Legal Ease Page 6 Legal Q&A Page 7 Legislative Update Page 8 Vacation Injuries Page 9 Nutrition Council Page 10 Insurance Update Page 12-14 Medicare Q&A Page 15 Rehab Council Page 16-19 Technique Council Page 20-21 Our Sponsors Page 24-29 Chiro Assist Page 30-31