FACT: Chiropractic costs just 1/10 of 1% of all Medicare claims. (6)
FACT: From 2006 to 2008, Medicare experienced (6)
- 10% growth in total spending per beneficiary
- 16% growth in overall Medicare spending
- 18% reduction in chiropractic spinal manipulation per beneficiary spending
CONSIDERATION: Why isn't chiropractic's cost effectiveness and clinical effectiveness not more welcome in Medicare, in insurance, in the Sitka community?
You don't have to answer that, but know that Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers effective chiropractic care.
1.
TREATMENT
Chiropractic is a superior form of treating back pain. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka's goal is control of your pain, not cure. But a study of 42 chronic low back pain patients were arbitrarily
distributed into 2 groups for 8 sessions over 4 to 8 weeks:
- spinal manipulation/mobilization plus active
exercise
- detuned ultrasound plus active exercise
The spinal manipulation group did better. Then, another
study showed that manual therapy produced an immediate analgesic
effect over mock treatment. Followed by specific active
exercises, manual therapy reduces significantly functional disability and tends
to induce a larger decrease in pain intensity compared to a
control group. (1)
2. IMPROVEMENT
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka plans for our Sitka back pain
patients to see results within 30 days. Chronic pain patients who report
improvement at 1 month were more likely to be improved at 3 months. The most
consistent predictor of clinically relevant improvement at both 1 and 3 months
after the start of chiropractic treatment for both acute and chronic patients
is if they report improvement early in the course of treatment. Even radiculopathy
(arm or leg pain) or dizziness does not imply a
poorer prognosis in these patients. (2) Expectations of improvement and treatment at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka are research-documented.
3. IMAGING
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka recognizes that there is a place for MRI and
imaging. However, MRI examinations are costly for images that may show multiple
possible pain sources. It is then most important to correlate the MRI findings
with symptoms from a physical examination. 76% of people without any pain show
disc herniations on MRI (7). Your Sitka chiropractor also knows
that nearly 20% of injured workers with low back pain receive early MRI.
However, early MRI may lead to greater subsequent interventions, potentially
poorer outcomes, and increased health care expenditures. On the basis of the
characteristics of patients with uncomplicated occupational low back pain,
providers may be able to provide customized care
without early MRI examinations. (3) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
often does.
4. REHABILITATION
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka also understands the importance of
rehabilitation in your care. Hamstring stretching exercises arevital. This increase generates a more aligned spine thoracic curve
and more anterior pelvic motion when flexion is performed. This protects your
spine from injury while providing you with maximum comfort in your activities
of daily living. (4) Stabilizing exercises with routine exercises in reduction
of pain intensity, increasing functional ability and muscle endurance is vital
for spine health. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka may well recommend stabilizing exercises to Sitka
patients with low back segmental instability. (5)
So contact Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka. Even though Medicare
doesn't utilize chiropractic as it could, don’t let it stop you! Bring your
back pain to us. We'll use our spinal manipulation to get you going! See you
soon.