In a research article published by the Mayo Clinic in 2017, 1702 patients seeking treatment for neck pain were reviewed based on the initial provider they consulted with, (MD or DC or PT etc) and what kinds of health care had been utilized in the first year.
The study concluded that initially seeking care from a non pharmacological provider (like a chiropractor) may decrease a patient's exposure to opioids, and also decrease the use of MRIs or injections.
In the face of the opioid crisis our country faces today, decreasing the likelihood of being prescribed opioid medication sounds like a step in the right direction. Visit your chiropractor for neck pain!
Read the Mayo Clinic article "Influence of Initial Provider on Health Care Utilization in Patients Seeking Care for Neck Pain"
