At Duggan Chiropractic we believe in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. We offer several conservative care approaches. Research statistics confirm Chiropractic care supports a better health outcome for most patients healing back injury and pain. Back pain is an increasingly prevalent and costly issue in the United States. Chiropractic care is a cost effective approach that has high patient satisfaction and better health outcomes in comparison to spinal surgery (Crownfield, 2012).
As of January 1st, 2012, The University of Pittsburg Medical Center has been mandating three months of Chiropractic conservative care before authorizing spinal surgery (Crownfield, 2012). The goal of this guideline is to improve the quality of care and to increase the active participation of patients in their health care and decision-making process when considering back surgery (Crownfield, 2012). Research statistics have shown that surgery is only necessary when other conservative treatments fail (Spine Medical Journal, 2013). Three years researching the Washington State’s Compensation Disability claims for back injuries revealed that patients who first consulted a spine surgeon were 28 times more likely to undergo spinal surgery, versus an average of 1.5% of patients that consulted first with Chiropractic Care Providers (Spine Medical Journal, 2013). Statistics confirm that if you see a surgeon first, you are most likely to have surgery.
In 2010, researchers reviewed records of 1,450 patients from the Ohio Bureau of Workman’s Compensation and found that the outcome rates of spinal surgery make it an unfortunate treatment choice for a strong majority (Smith, 2011). Out of the 1,450 patients reviewed, 50% underwent spinal surgery, and 50% did not and pursued Chiropractic care. After two years post injury, of the patients that chose surgery, only 26% had returned to work, 36% had surgical complications, 27% had a second surgery, 76% were still on Opiods, 41% were consistently increasing painkiller use, and 17 had died (Smith, 2011). The patient statistics for those that chose Chiropractic care revealed significantly better health outcomes and satisfaction rates (Smith, 2011). As 67% returned to work, and only 2% claimed disability (Smith, 2011).
At Duggan Chiropractic we provide neurological and physical approaches for managing back pain, education on self-management techniques, and support in all aspects of your health care needs. We offer a combination of treatments to support multiple phases of care that go beyond spinal adjustments. We offer several physiotherapeutic services such as laser light therapy, ultrasound electrical stimulation, Viro-Trac extension therapy, taping, private and group therapeutic exercise coaching, physical therapy, nutritional consulting, cleansing programs, products and multiple laboratory tests. For more information on our nutritional consulting, programs, cleansing products and laboratory tests visit our previous blog posted 9/17/2014, “Do you know your foods and environment may be making you sick?” Keep checking in, as we are excited to post future informational blogs introducing our multiple treatment techniques with supporting research into the benefits of conservative care in spine and overall health.
References:
See a surgeon, get surgery (2013). Spine Medical Journal, 38(11), 953-964. Retrieved from ChiroPlanet.com.
Crownfield, P. W. (2012). Chiropractic before spine surgery for chronic LBP: University of Pittsburg medical center health plan mandates conservative care before considering surgery for chronic LBP cases. Dynamic Chiropractic, 30(11). Retrieved from http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=55882
Smith, T. C. (2011). Back surgery: Too many, too costly, too ineffective. Dynamic Chiropractic, 29(7). Retrieved from http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=55255