A paper regarding opioid use authored by Dr. Mark Pfefer, director of research at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), has been accepted by the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee for presentation at the at the Kansas Opioid Conference. The presentation, titled Potential opioid use reduction with chiropractic care and other complementary health care interventions: A narrative review, addresses the growing concern over opioid usage and how that usage can be curtailed through the use of chiropractic care and other non-pharmaceutical interventions.
The research paper will be shared at the conference on Nov. 14 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Topeka, Kan. It will offer Pfefer the ability to educate people from around the region about a more natural solution for pain relief instead of pharmaceuticals.
“The acceptance of Dr. Pfefer’s paper and the presentation at this opioid conference, on behalf of the University, is yet another opportunity for the chiropractic profession, to gain increased visibility within the Midwest region healthcare community,” Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, CUKC president, said.
Pfefer is focused on the possibility that his research may lead to greater usage non-pharmacological alternatives for pain relief, specifically, chiropractic care.
“I am hopeful that the Kansas governor will support and even mandate reimbursement for chiropractic care as states like West Virginia have done, to potentially reduce opioid use for treatment of musculoskeletal problems,” Pfefer said. “There are a number of painful conditions affecting the aging baby boomer group which chiropractic care can be quite helpful with, not only back pain, but also knee and hip pain. And, of course, our approach does not rely on drugs, and is a very safe and cost-effective intervention.”
The 2019 installment will be the 3rd Annual Kansas Opioid Conference.