In 2015, opioid overdoses resulted in more than 33,000 fatalities, including deaths caused by heroin, prescription opiates, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Among these deaths, prescription drugs alone were responsible for almost 18,000 fatalities. The surge in fatalities is alarming and begs the question of what has caused such a significant increase in death rates and the growing popularity of opioids like fentanyl and heroin. This situation demands that we examine how the medical system in our country manages chronic pain and the reasons behind the difficulty in achieving patient recovery.

Before 1990, the medical community widely acknowledged “opiophobia,” a reluctance to prescribe opioids to patients due to the addictive and hazardous nature of painkillers. However, starting in 1990, doctors began receiving pressure from the pharmaceutical industry to prescribe opioids based on their effectiveness in treating chronic pain. Since then, there has been a cultural shift and policy change towards prescribing opioids, which has led to a rise in opioid addiction, overdoses, and fatalities. Consequently, the United States is now grappling with an “opioid crisis.” Opioids are not only highly addictive, but they also have a range of negative side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, liver damage, brain damage (caused by respiratory depression), and the development of tolerance.

At Ramos Center, we offer a range of pain management solutions that can provide long-term relief while preventing the addiction to harmful drugs. We believe in treating patients holistically to achieve sustainable outcomes. This approach entails utilizing standard medical practices as well as integrative and functional medicine to identify the root cause of the problem. Often, this involves examining a patient’s diet, lifestyle habits, and emotional well-being.

We have found that many of our patients can live a pain-free and fulfilling life without resorting to opioids as a solution. Our alternative treatment plans are drug-free and prioritize improving overall lifestyle to foster good health and positivity. Our team comprises a nutritionist, personal trainer, scanning team, surgical team, and general doctors who are all dedicated to helping you live your best life. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment. Don’t suffer in pain any longer, let today be the beginning of a new chapter.