There are many many many people who do not abuse pain meds, sounds like you’re one, or that are not addicted to these meds. There are many who are. They take the meds not to control pain, but because their body cannot live without the meds.
It’s a complicated issue. I’m not in any way saying these drugs should be stopped. I think that doctors should be careful in their prescribing.
I for one, deal with first line back and neck pain. When a patient fails my treatment, it’s because they need surgery, and surgery helps. And they’re relatively pain free. OTOH I know of many people where a back or neck fusion has made the quality of life worse.
I can only speak for my own experience. When I’m confronted with a patient with acute and chronic spine pain, I’ve had the best success with a McKenzie Clinic. I’ve used this approach for over 25 years, and I’ve been very pleased with the results.
? Have you read the comments below the Linked Article ?
I’m on the 3rd Page.
If what you are doing works for the PT that you treat then great for them and you.
There are probably 10’s or 100’s of Thousands, possibly way more than that needing MORE than Tylenol and tramadol to make their lives better than they are now. At least tolerable if nothing else...