With all the attention about the opioid and chronic pain crisis on prescription medication, one area that is often overlooked is the potential health effects of common over the counter medications (OTC’s).  You would be shocked at not only at the number of patients that consult our office taking OTC’s to help with their pain, but the amount they are taking each day.

If you know anything about our office you know that we are probably the most “medically-integrated” chiropractic offices in Columbus.  Over half of the people that walk through our door were referred by another physician.  We are not the office that sits here and bashes medication, in fact we commonly refer our patients back to their physicians for co-management if we feel this will accelerate the process.  What we do make a point of, in regards to medication, is that our patients are informed of the potential health risks and the safe alternatives available.

It is common knowledge that excessive OTC use can result in health complications like GI disorders, GI bleeds, liver disorders etc. A recent study looked at a common OTC, Ibuprofen and its effect on male sexual health.  The results are some what shocking…

“The study shows that ibuprofen use results in selective transcriptional repression of endocrine cells in the human testis. This repression results in the elevation of the stimulatory pituitary hormones, resulting in a state of compensated hypogonadism, a disorder associated with adverse reproductive and physical health disorders.”

Read the full article here

Interested in safe and effective alternatives to pain management? Make sure to ask us on your next visit!