PMMA Joins Washington Leaders in Fight Against Opioid Abuse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - June 15, 2016 - PRLog -- The Physical Medicine Management Alliance (PMMA), a subsidiary of the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO), recently convened with several congressional leaders and offices during the AAPAN Capitol Caucus Public Policy Forum. The focus of the Forum was on healthcare challenges, including effective strategies for reducing opioid abuse and addiction.

NASHO Chairwoman and PMMA Member Tabatha Erck - CEO of ChiroCare of Minnesota - participated last month in the forum that included Senator Pat Toomey (PA) and Congressmen Charles Boustany (LA) and Gene Green (D-TX) which highlighted the benefits and advantages of conservative care for musculoskeletal disorders and pain management. Erck also met with Minnesota's Senate delegation:  Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar. "An emphasis on non-pharmacologic, conservative care pathways including chiropractic, physical therapy and acupuncture can significantly reduce the risk of opioid abuse and dependency," stated Erck.

In March, President Obama iterated his administration's imperative to escalate the fight against prescription opioid abuse and the heroin epidemic. Meanwhile the National Institutes of Health expects to spend nearly half a billion dollars to support pain research, including the exploration of other treatment options to work either in replace of, or in conjunction with opioids.

"Specialties such as chiropractic care, physical therapy and acupuncture have all proven effective at mitigating pain and treating musculoskeletal conditions without the risks and expense associated with prescription drugs and invasive procedures," added NASHO Executive Director Julian Roberts. "Our members strive to facilitate direct and primary access to quality, specialized care that often delivers higher efficacy at lower costs."

About NASHO

NASHO is a subsidiary association of the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO) (www.aappo.org), founded to advance and evolve specialty healthcare delivery in the United States. Its mission is to enhance and promote the value proposition of specialty health organizations. To learn more about NASHO, visit www.nasho.org.

About PMMA

The Physical Medicine Management Alliance (PMMA) consists of organizations representing care management companies who specialize in physical medicine/musculoskeletal care and wellness. PMMA members partner with provider specialists to facilitate care delivered via specialty services that include, but are not limited to, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic Care, Acupuncture, and Complementary and Integrative Health.