Why YOU Should Choose Conservative Care First

There are many health care options available to you, so why should you choose chiropractic care first? While there are many reasons ranging from pain relief to financial benefits, you might be surprised by the difference.

#1. Let’s start with the financial benefits of conservative care first. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that low back pain treatment initiated by a doctor of chiropractic cost 20% less than low back pain treatment initiated by a medical doctor. This study collected data from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) beneficiaries over a two-year span. The population of the study had open access to medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of chiropractic (DCs). There were also no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays. Researchers estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million for BCBS. The actual paid costs for episodes of care initiated with a DC were almost 40% less than episodes initiated with an MD. Even after risk adjusting each patient’s costs, they found that episodes of care initiated with a DC are 20% less expensive than episodes initiated with an MD. These results suggested that insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care for low back pain may, inadvertently, be paying more for care than they would if they removed these restrictions. (1)

#2. A second reason to choose chiropractic care is because of the positive outcomes in treatment. A well-rounded approach to treatment of musculoskeletal injury including joint manipulation, soft tissue treatment, and exercises therapy has been shown in multiple studies to have a better outcome and patient satisfaction than the use of medication alone. Here are just a few of those:

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine compared medication, spinal manipulation, and home exercises for treatment of acute and subacute neck pain. Spinal manipulation was found to be more effective than medication in both the short and long term! Meanwhile, prescribed home exercises with a few instructional sessions were found to have comparable outcomes to medication.

“For participants with acute and subacute neck pain, SMT (spinal manipulative therapy) was more effective than management with medication in both the short and long term.”

Another study found that workers with low back pain had over a 40% chance of undergoing surgery if their initial point of contact was a medical doctor or surgeon. Patients who sought out a chiropractor as the initial point of contact had only a 1.5% chance of undergoing surgery! (3)

A study in the British Medical Journal evaluating the effectiveness of manual therapy and corticosteriod injections for lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow found that “An approach combining elbow manipulation and exercise has a superior benefit to steroid injections in the long term and may be recommended over corticosteroid injections.” (4)

#3. In addition to the short term pain relief and long term benefits of chiropractic, another reason to choose conservative care is the low risk of adverse side-effects associated with manual therapy. The most common side-effect of our treatment approach is temporary muscle soreness, usually lasting less than 24 hours before a patient begins to experience relief of symptoms. The negative side effect of chiropractic that gets the most publicity is the possibility of causing or contributing to complications involving a stroke. While there is a very small chance of stroke with cervical manipulation, there are also tests and screening measures that can be performed to nearly eliminate that risk. To put the risk of stroke following cervical manipulation in perspective, there is a 25 times greater risk of death from taking aspirin. There is a 500 times greater risk of death from cervical spine surgery.

Chiropractic and manual therapy is one of the safest, most cost-effective forms of treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, in addition to relieving pain and helping you live a better life! If you have been hesitant about chiropractic care for you or your family, please give us a call and set up a free 15-minute consultation. It would be a privilege to meet with you and answer any questions you may have.

More information can be found on the American Chiropractic Association website: www.acatoday.org

References:

1. Liliedahl RL et al. Cost of Chiropractic Care. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2010;33:640-643.

2. Bronfort, Gert et al. Spinal manipulation, medication, or home exercise with advice for acute or subacute neck pain. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156:1-10.

3. Keeney BJ et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury. Spine;2013 May 15;38(11):953-64. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182814ed5.

4. Bisset, L et al. Mobilisation with movement and exercise, corticosteriod injection, or wait and see for tennis elbow: randomised tiral. BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.38961.584653.AE (published 29 September 2006)