Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic
In recent years, numerous independent researchers and various government agencies have conducted studies, which focus on the efficacy, appropriateness and cost effectiveness of Chiropractic care
The Manga Report11
In 1993, the Ontario Ministry of Health commissioned and funded a study to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic management of low back pain. The report concluded that:
“There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to Chiropractors… Users of Chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only.”
Victorian Work Care Scheme12 This workers’ compensation study published in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia compared Chiropractic and medical management of 1,996 cases of work-related mechanical low back pain. The number of compensation days (paid days off from work) taken by claimants was found to be significantly lower with Chiropractic care (an average of 6.26 days for Chiropractic patients and 25.56 days for medical patients). The average cost of the Chiropractic care was $392 & for medical management, $1,569, or four times greater than Chiropractic management.
There was also a significantly lower incidence of progression to a chronic low back pain status in those patients who received Chiropractic care.
UK Beam Trial 200413
This study of physical therapy for low back pain shows convincingly that both manipulation alone and manipulation followed by exercise provide cost effective additions to care in general practice.
The study authors stated ‘Indeed, as we trained practice teams in the best care of back pain, we may have under estimated the benefit of physical therapy (spinal manipulation) when compared with “usual care” in general practice.’
The detailed clinical outcomes report reinforces these positive findings by showing that the improvements in health status reported by patients reflect statistically significant improvements in function, disability, pain, physical and mental aspects of life quality and beliefs about back pain.
Comparison
Doctors of Chiropractic have long been dedicated to delivering the safest and most effective methods of care for their patients. To achieve this, the Chiropractic profession has been dedicated to scientific evaluation for their diagnostic procedures, treatment methods and techniques.
Chiropractic Treatment v Outpatient Management for Low Back Pain:
In a randomised comparison study over a three year period British medical researchers found Chiropractic treatment significantly more effective than hospital outpatient treatment, especially in patients with chronic and severe back pain. Those treated by Doctors of Chiropractic gained more benefit and long term satisfaction than 14 those treated by hospitals.
Chiropractic Treatment vs. Physiotherapy:
A randomised comparison of four treatment types by Dutch medical researchers, on patients who suffered from persistent back and neck pain found that spinal manipulation provided greater improvement of symptoms compared with physical therapy. The patients receiving spinal manipulation had better physical function and less pain at 12 months than those receiving physiotherapy15.
Chiropractic Care vs. Bed Rest:
A Study published in the British Medical Journal followed a group of 152 patients suffering from acute low back pain who were treated either by spinal manipulation or bedrest. After 1 week 50% of the individuals in the spinal manipulation group were symptom free compared with 27% of those receiving bed rest only16.
Chiropractic Care vs. Deep Heat Applications:
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine found that Patients suffering from a prolapsed intervertebral disc who received spinal manipulation showed significantly better post-treatment range of motion and a shorter time to obtain pain relief than those receiving deep heat applications.
“It was concluded that manipulation therapy as shown by this study is superior to the conventional method.” 17
Sport & Exercise
You are never too young or too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity. Chiropractors encourage and promote regular exercise to all patients educating them on the benefits that regular exercise will have on their health. These benefits include protecting against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity and back pain as well as increasing energy levels.
Why Exercise is Essential if You Have Neck Pain
Since exercise often leads to improved posture, range of motion and functionality of your body, it can help prevent chronic neck pain from developing. Exercise helps prevent and relieve pain through a number of mechanisms including strengthening key support muscles & restoring flexibility.
Not surprisingly, repetitive strain injuries have become increasingly common as so many people spend most of their work days sitting in front of computers. Many types of neck pain can be traced back to poor posture at work or during one’s relaxation time.
A study published in the Annals of Internal National Medicine18 and funded by the National Institutes of Health, highlighted that medication is not the best option for treating neck pain. After following 272 neck-pain patients for 12 weeks, those who used a Chiropractor or exercised were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who took medication.
Physical Exercise in Schools
There is a health crisis in our younger generation. Many children are unable to fully perform physically and reach their expected physical milestones. Many children are not achieving the basic levels of literacy, numeracy and the knowledge needed to help them live long and healthy lives.
Encouraging children to perform regular activities from an early age will help build habits benefiting postural muscles as well as improve fitness levels. Research shows that concentration levels and learning ability are improved with regular exercises that focus on posture and co-ordination (TES April2005.)
Chiropractic is perfectly placed to help the children of our communities to learn more about health.
Sport
There is a growing use and acknowledgment of the importance of Chiropractors by sportsmen and women. Chiropractic offers a balanced approach to the recovery and healing of sports injuries by many athletes, including premiership footballers and Olympians, many of whom would now not be without their Chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care helps to achieve maximum health and peak performance.
References:
11 The MANGA Report (1993) “A Study to Examine the Effectiveness & Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain
12 Mechanical Low-Back Pain: A Comparison of Medical and Chiropractic Management Within the Victorian Work Care Scheme. Ebrall, PS. Chiropractic
Journal of Australia – 1992;22:47-5
13 UK Beam Trial – British Medical Journal 2004 (Dec 11); 329 (7479): 1381
14 BMJ1995;311 doi10.1136/bmj.311.7001.349 (published 05 August 1995)
15 Randomized Clinical Trial of Manipulative Therapy and Physiotherapy for Persistent Back and Neck Complaints: Results of One Year Follow Up. Koes,
B.W. et al. British Medical Journal – 1992;304:601-605.
16 Low-back pain Treated by Manipulation. Coyer AB and Curwin I. British Medical Journal – 1955;1:705-707.
17 Relative Therapuetic Efficacy of Vertebral Manipulation & Conventional Treatment in Back pain Management. Nwuga VC. American Journal of Physical Medicine – 1982;61:273-278
Manipulation in the Treatment of Low-back Pain – A Randomised Clinical Tria. Rasmussen GG. Manuelle Medizin – 1979;1:8-10. 19 Annals of Internal Medicine January 3,2012 Vol 156 no.1 Part 1-10
Original article was put together by the Alliance of UK Chiropractors and can be found on the UCA website: https://www.united-chiropractic.org/
