Back Pain Helped by Accessible Chiropractic Care in Cost and Relief
Back pain and neck pain are often painful as well as costly and oftentimes complex. Overall health care spending in the US keeps rising: $1.4 trillion in 1996 to $3.1 trillion in 2016. It makes up 18% of the US economy as of 2020. Of the top 154 conditions paid for by insurers,
low back pain and
neck pain were the most costly at $134.5 billion.
(If you’re curious, #2 was musculoskeletal disorders, and #3 was diabetes care.) (1) In a Medicare expenditure study of chiropractic spine care, researchers reported that $400 to $500 million was spent each year. They also stated that
higher accessibility to chiropractic lowered the reliance on primary care services for spine pain conditions. Further, some monetary savings for care of spine pain conditions was reported for ambulatory patients that may well add up to large savings since spine pain conditions are seen so often in older adults. (2) Ambulatory patients can get themselves to a healthcare provider, and many go to chiropractors. Chiropractors are known for their care of the spine and spine-related, musculoskeletal conditions. A recent study noted that they, not surprisingly, most often chose
spinal manipulation for clinical encounters involving spinal conditions and soft tissue approaches for extremity pain conditions.
(3) Chiropractors are well-trained to diagnose co-morbidities, conditions that spine pain patients have in addition to spine pain that are not related to the spine. Researchers are presently collecting data that will show just how many such conditions chiropractors find in their patients.
(4) This existence of non-spine related conditions is the basis for chiropractors’ intensive diagnostic training and familiarity with co-management with other medical care as is necessary. Your chiropractor is prepared to examine, diagnose, and treat your
spine-related pain condition no matter its complexity in a cost-effective, gentle, evidence-based manner often via
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
TIP OF THE MONTH: Understand Spinal Muscle Care: Electrical Current
Paying attention to the spinal muscles is essential, too. This applies to the young and old! For the older folks, it’s really important as loss of skeletal spinal mass - which affects lumbar lordosis, too - makes them vulnerable to chronic low back pain. (5) Fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscles correlated greatly with a higher risk of back pain and disability in a recent study. (6) Electrical stimulation (as well as exercise and nutrition which your chiropractor also supports!) is helpful in enhancing spinal muscle. Interferential current was said to be better than placebo at decreasing pain and disability immediately after use in chronic low back pain patients. (7) Your individualized St Peters chiropractic treatment plan may include such add-on care alongside spinal manipulation. Embrace it!
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jay Young on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about use of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to treat and contain back pain in a patient with degenerative disc disease.
CONTACT Old Mill Chiropractic
Schedule your next St Peters chiropractic appointment with Old Mill Chiropractic now. We’ll see you soon! And we're happy to share our chiropractic services to help relieve your pain.
