The dependence of opioids in chronic pain

Chiro 8 Assignment

Overview of Assignment

This is the essay required for REHA2211.

It is a critical essay to be based on one of the topics presented through the semester. You will need to decide on your own “question”/topic within those topics presented. This does include ones that have yet to be presented at the time of posting this essay.

To be at 2000 words, +/- 10 %

I would suggest that you pick a narrow focus for your question so that you can do the topic justice.

eg; “The History of Chiropractic in Australia”, vs “Integration of Chiropractic into Australia..the early years”… with the latter easier to handle.

You are expected to define your standpoint and then offer evidence to support it.

Please make sure you are familiar with critical essay structure (see below).

You will be marked according to the rubric below.

Referencing style: I will accept either Harvard, or APA (in text)  or Vancouver.  MOST importantly, it needs to be consistent.

Topic: The dependence of opioids in chronic pain – are people with chronic pain dependent on opioids

Should opioids be used for chronic pain? – Less effective in nerve pain, more reliant in chronic pain

Could discuss:

• Talk about sleep patterns
• Efficiency of opioids
• Relationship of opioid use and dosagelevels in older chronic pain patient
• Long acting opioids for chronic pain (quality of life)
• Potent opioids
• Guidelines for prescribing
• Addiction
• Efficacy in chronic pain patient

Opioids = pain relief including anaesthesia, when reaching opioid receptors has effects similar to morphine

Chronic pain = persistent pain caused by inflammation or dysfunctional nerves

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.38329 – poor sleep quality strongly associated with pain

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/chronic-pain-app-1.5224751?fbclid=IwAR1YZcQtC7gBRM6H2Sp2aEmMdqYCZizG4JN6Aq5j-6sh-lktjjcQ-FptrD0 – test app to manage symptoms, use less opioids

https://www.asra.com/page/46/treatment-options-for-chronic-pain?fbclid=IwAR2xsN_ZckueQjJcnxrLJ5VcTP4T35e9_-wvltpttJlSqPirjMmMOVVMCrg – treatment options for chronic pain

Why changing how we view pain can help us address the opioid crisis

https://www.asra.com/page/46/treatment-options-for-chronic-pain

https://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?q=opioids+and+chronic+pain&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DgBXe5OLAgQIJ

Intro:

Introduce topic (rhetorical questions work well here)

Give reader an understanding of what opioids are and what they are used for

Why are they used for chiro patients with chronic pain (WHAT IS CHRONIC PAIN)

Is this a good or bad thing? BAD THING

Why? (touch on three reasons why)

be mindful that chiro cant cure everything alone

evidence that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for pain

the basis of

Should opioids be used for chronic pain?

The use of Opioids is often seen as controversial within the chiropractic industry. Opioids, commonly known as a pain reliving drug, have been used throughout all human history. But how necessary are they for chronic pain? Chronic pain, often a pain associated with chiropractic patients can be referred to as a persistent discomfort that patients endure for prolonged durations. Chronic pain is unrelated to the initial diagnosis or injury of the patient, rather it relates to the changes to the nervous system that keep the nerves in a constant pain signalling state. Whilst Opioids may be a‘quick fix’ for to relieve pain, the durability of the drug is often problematic and can result in long term destruction, which also contradicts the philosophy of Chiropractic.The most common cause of destruction inflicted by opioids is addiction.

The basis of chiropractic draws on natural healing as an alternate way to correct.

Body paragraph 1:

Addiction and overdose of opioids

– Quality of life

Body paragraph 2:

Philosophy of chiropractic – Natural alternative healing without the use of opioids

Body paragraph 3:

Efficacy of opioids – not effective over prolonged course

Potential new paragraph:

Opioids may be used in certain circumstances, but not necessary for chronic pain.

Conclusion:

whilstopioids may be necessary for acute or more sever pain, they can be overused and lethal when not used correctly.