When back pain arises (and/or has transitioned
into chronic low back pain) so too does the question of
which healthcare professional to consult. It is
a valid question! Research reports that the first healthcare provider
sets the course for care, cost, and outcome of the back pain flare-up.
A new study stated that first-provider chiropractic care was less expensive than care by other first-provider healthcare professionals.
The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR provides individualized treatment plans for Colorado Springs
back pain relief and prevention.
CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: Contributing and Preventing Factors
Even though chronic low back
pain is notably common in older adults, research just hasn’t
defined what contributes to it or to its
prevention. One analysis of 4 databases of 31,080 older adults uncovered
an extensive list of issues that may contribute (from being
female, obese, anxious, depressed, having fallen,
lifestyle issues like smoking, having weak abdominal muscles, occupational issues
like having a job for more than 10 years that necessitated
bending/lifting, etc.) and factors that may prevent chronic low
back pain (intermediate level of leisure-time physical activity). (1) These
researchers, The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR, and our patients would like to know more definitively
what influences chronic low back pain!
Even more wanted is direction on how to handle
it.
REFERRALS FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE
A survey of US office-based physicians tackled how referrals
affected the care of back pain. The participating physicians
were queried as to their referrals for certain
complementary health approaches like herbs/non-vitamin supplements,
chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation, acupuncture and mind-body therapies
(meditation, guided imagery, progressive relaxation). 60% of the physicians said
they advocated these approaches when patients asked
for them. More female than male physicians reported
using evidence in peer-reviewed journals as reasoning
for recommending such approaches. (2) An additional concerning
factor for female back pain patients is that they are consistently
seen as having higher levels of frailty than men. (3) Frailty is always of concern in our older patients. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR is always prepared to share the benefits
– perceived by patients and verified by
research – of chiropractic and more specifically, Cox® Technic, with interested healthcare
providers and spine pain patients.
CHIROPRACTIC RISES TO THE TOP
Another review of 3,799,593 low back pain patients surfaced this past month highlighting how influential
the first healthcare provider was in their study on cost and outcome for back
pain. Healthcare utilization (imaging, prescriptions, tests, visits, etc.),
opioid prescribing, and cost were greater when seeing
certain providers first: orthopedist ($9434), acupuncturist ($9205), primary
care physician ($5660), and chiropractor ($5093). (4) Consulting
which provider first was the least expensive without any detrimental effect on diagnosis
or serious illness? The chiropractor! With regards to
back pain, neck pain and spine-related pain, Colorado Springs chiropractic care
makes sense.
CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Keith Bartley on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the good
outcome for a lumbar spinal stenosis low back pain sufferer who found
relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management after she had consulted
other healthcare professionals.
Schedule your Colorado Springs chiropractic
appointment today. The question of which healthcare provider
to consult arises, think of your
Colorado Springs chiropractor!