Chiropractic and Health Care Costs

As the cost of health care rises, insurance coverage becomes more limited, and unnecessary medical tests continue to be ordered, patients suffer. Unfortunately this is the cycle that continues in our U.S. health care crisis. So where does chiropractic care come into the picture? Chiropractic has been shown to be a less expensive option for treatment of back pain and neck pain as compared with medical treatment and physical therapy. Additionally, and most importantly, the research supports chiropractic care as a therapy that is at least or more effective at reducing back and neck pain than care from an MD.

A 2007 study in JMPT (chiropractic’s leading journal) showed that chiropractic care patients had over 60% less hospital visits and surgeries, and an 85% decrease in pharmaceutical costs compared to those who did not receive chiropractic care. This makes sense, as chiropractors don’t use drugs to treat pain. In the journal Medical Care (obviously not a chiropractic journal) an article by Stano et al. compared medical and chiropractic costs for common low back conditions. They found the mean total insurance payment to a medical doctor for these conditions was $1,020 and only $518 for doctors of chiropractic for the same conditions. This study included over 6,000 patients.

Chiropractic care for back pain and neck pain is what the future of U.S. health care truly needs. Imagine spending 85% less on drugs for these extremely common problems. Considering the efficacy of chiropractic care, whether or not cost is an issue for you in treating your back or neck pain, you should call the chiropractor first. If cost is an issue for you (which it is for most of us) there should be no question.

 

Dr. Kauffman is a licensed chiropractor in Cincinnati, OH. He serves patients from around Cincinnati including the areas of Mason Ohio, Lebanon Ohio, West Chester Ohio, and Loveland Ohio. Please call us today at 513-444-4529 for an appointment with your Cincinnati chiropractor, Dr. Kauffman.