Almost eight in 10 Americans have an episode of lower back pain at some point in their lives. Chronic back pain can result in lowered productivity, which can adversely affect your earning potential — not to mention your quality of life. Often, pain-killing opioids are prescribed as a quick-fix solution. Excessive use of opioids can be detrimental to your health. National Chiropractic Month, observed every October, emphasizes alternative methods of treatment, which yield better results.