Breaking the Prescription Cascade: How Chiro-First Healthcare is Preventing Medication Side Effects and Drug Interactions in Elderly Patients

Breaking Free From the Dangerous Cycle: How Chiropractic Care is Revolutionizing Senior Healthcare by Preventing Medication Overload

In America’s healthcare system, a silent crisis is unfolding in the medicine cabinets of our elderly population. Elderly persons are the most at-risk population for prescribing cascades, which occur when the side effect of a medication is treated with a second medication. This dangerous phenomenon, known as the prescription cascade, is trapping millions of seniors in a cycle of increasing medication use that often causes more harm than healing.

Understanding the Prescription Cascade Crisis

Prescribing cascades occur when the side effect of a medication is interpreted as a new medical condition, resulting in a potentially unnecessary drug being prescribed to treat this new condition. The consequences are alarming: prescription cascade can occur when patients are prescribed medications to offset side effects caused by other drugs they are taking, compounding the risk of polypharmacy.

Consider this real-world example: calcium channel blockers may cause ankle edema for which a diuretic may be prescribed. In a cohort study, this particular cascade occurred in 9.5% of older adults who were newly prescribed a calcium channel blocker. What begins as treatment for high blood pressure spirals into multiple medications, each addressing the side effects of the previous one.

The risks of polypharmacy ― taking multiple medicines regularly ― can be serious, and the risk increases with age. By the time they reach age 60, most Americans are taking at least one prescription medication for a chronic health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Regular use of multiple prescriptions ― polypharmacy ― may raise the risk of overmedication, especially in older people.

The Hidden Dangers of Medication Overload

The statistics paint a sobering picture. In the United States, one study reported that 57% of women aged 65 years and older take 5 prescription drugs or more and 12% take more than 9. Complications can include sedation, increased risk for falls and side effects. Taking a particular drug may lessen the effectiveness of another, or worsen its side effects.

A prescribing cascade happens when a side effect of one medication is mistaken for a new medical condition and is treated with another medication. The prescribing cascade can lead to being prescribed more medications than you need. The cascade can also increase your risk of having more side effects and drug interactions.

The Chiro-First Revolution: A Natural Alternative

Emerging as a beacon of hope in this crisis is the chiro first healthcare model, which prioritizes natural, non-pharmaceutical approaches to health and wellness. This approach recognizes that many conditions affecting elderly patients—particularly musculoskeletal pain, mobility issues, and balance problems—can be effectively addressed without adding to their medication burden.

Chiropractic adjustments provide a natural alternative, helping to manage chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis or lower back pain, without the reliance on pharmaceuticals. Chiropractic care provides seniors with a non-invasive, drug-free option to manage pain and improve mobility, making it an attractive alternative for those looking to avoid surgery or medication dependency.

Evidence-Based Benefits for Seniors

Research consistently demonstrates chiropractic care’s effectiveness for elderly patients. Information from SeniorLiving.com suggests that chiropractic interventions can result in pain reduction and stress alleviation, which are particularly beneficial for seniors with limited tolerance for medications.

With the help of regular chiropractic treatments, a lot of seniors find they can reduce or eliminate the need for painkillers for short and long-term pain management. That’s because chiropractic care has been shown to be a safe and effective, natural alternative to opioid use.

The benefits extend beyond pain management. Chiropractic care can aid in improving balance, which is crucial in preventing falls—a major concern for the elderly. Chiropractic care can help by improving balance and coordination. Realigning the spine and supporting healthy nerve function ensures better communication between the brain and body, reducing the risk of falls.

Real-World Success Stories

At Chiropractic First in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. James Heath has witnessed firsthand how this approach transforms lives. At Chiropractic First, our chiropractor, Dr. James Heath aims to provide our patients in Wyoming, Grand Rapids, and Kentwood with comprehensive care and a focus on health and wellness. Dr. James Heath has been helping Grand Rapids families since 1998—right here in Wyoming, at the same location where he started his practice. Over two decades, he’s helped thousands of people get their lives back from chronic pain.

If you suffer from pain or limited mobility, you don’t need medications or surgery in the greater majority of cases. Rather, you need a solution that resolves the underlying cause of your pain. This philosophy represents the core of the chiro-first approach: addressing root causes rather than masking symptoms with medications that may trigger cascading prescriptions.

Breaking the Cycle: A Holistic Approach

Chiropractors often consider the whole person, recommending lifestyle changes, exercise routines, and nutrition improvements to support recovery and overall health. This perspective is grounded in a holistic view, where the focus goes beyond treating symptoms to addressing the underlying causes of a patient’s condition. Emphasis is placed on education, self-care, and lifestyle alterations to achieve optimal health and prevent illness, positioning chiropractic as both a therapeutic and preventative field of healthcare.

There is a strong case to be made for the role of multidisciplinary care in the older adult with musculoskeletal pathology, however to achieve this the practicing chiropractor must develop relationships with those outside the chiropractic profession. This integrated care model has been described and has the potential to improve the overall role of chiropractic in the healthcare system.

Economic Impact and Healthcare Savings

The economic benefits of prioritizing chiropractic care are substantial. Considering the mean cost of a visit to a primary care physician and spine surgery, a reduction in access to chiropractic care was associated with an additional cost of $114,967 per 1,000 beneficiaries on medical services ($391 million nationally). Considering the cost of medical services for spine conditions, a reduction in access to chiropractic care was associated with an additional cost of $8,075 per 1,000 beneficiaries on primary care visits and $106,892 on spine surgeries.

The Path Forward

As our population ages, the need for alternatives to the prescription cascade becomes increasingly urgent. ADRs should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with new symptoms, particularly older adults and those who started a new medication in the preceding 12 months.

The chiro-first healthcare model offers a promising solution by providing elderly patients with effective, natural treatments that address the root causes of their health concerns without contributing to medication overload. Chiropractic care can be a valuable addition to a senior’s healthcare regimen, offering a pathway to improved mobility, pain relief, and a higher quality of life. By reducing pain, increasing mobility, and enhancing bodily functions, chiropractic care can help seniors maintain their independence, participate in desired activities, and enjoy a more active and fulfilling life.

For families concerned about their elderly loved ones’ growing medication lists and potential side effects, exploring chiropractic care as a first-line treatment option could be the key to breaking free from the dangerous prescription cascade cycle. By choosing natural, evidence-based treatments that work with the body’s innate healing abilities, seniors can reclaim their health and vitality without adding to their pharmaceutical burden.