New Pilot on Quality Shows Cost- Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care

A new pilot program shows that conservative health care, including chiropractic, may reduce overall health care costs in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, such as back and neck pain. The pilot, conducted by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield to measure quality of patient care for its members in Iowa and South Dakota, also shows promising outcomes for the patients choosing chiropractic and other conservative care.

“The cost-effectiveness and safety of chiropractic has been documented in several studies. ACA is pleased that insurance companies are starting to recognize the value that doctors of chiropractic and other conservative providers can offer to their members,” said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. “Especially during the healthcare reform debate, it’s important that chiropractic and other conservative care are taken into serious consideration as a cost-effective alternative to the utilization of expensive surgery and hospital-based care,” he added.

Wellmark conducted the Physical Medicine Pilot on Quality in 2008 for Iowa and South Dakota physical medicine providers. A total of 238 chiropractors, physical therapists and occupational therapists provided care to 5,500 members with musculoskeletal disorders. According to Wellmark, data from participating clinicians show that 89 percent of the patients treated in the pilot reported a greater than 30 percent improvement in 30 days.

The pilot compared data for Wellmark members who received care from doctors of chiropractic or physical therapists with a member population with similar demographics who did not receive such services. The comparison showed that those who received chiropractic care or physical therapy were less likely to have surgery and experienced lower total healthcare costs, according to Wellmark.

Source: ACA

Sports-Related Injuries in Children

Inside the Numbers

It is estimated that 3.5 million children under the age of 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year and that almost one-third of all injuries incurred during childhood are related to sports activities, with the most common injuries being strains and sprains. Here are the estimated number of children injured each year by sport:

· Football: 350,000+
· Basketball: 300,000+
· Soccer: 140,000+
· Baseball: 120,000+
· Swimming: 43,000+
· Wrestling: 33,500+
· Gymnastics: 26,500+
· Hockey: 21,000+
· Track and Field: 17,000+

In addition to the health consequences, the financial costs for treating injuries are estimated to be between $3 billion and $4 billion a year. In addition, the impact of childhood sports injuries on the number of school days missed can be significant. The Institute for Preventative Sports Medicine estimates that each year, there are almost 212 million school days missed by students attributable to musculoskeletal injuries, the vast majority of which are sports-related injuries.

Source: Claudia Annig D.C.

Winifred Gardella’s Chiropractic Miracle

In the early 1950’s Winifred Gardella was a poster child for the March of Dimes. Her picture was published in the newspapers to raise huge sums of money for the March of Dimes in San Francisco. Nationally, her image raised millions of dollars to help fight the dreaded crippler, polio. Her sad, innocent face and her tiny body supported on crutches and leg braces, made many Americans reach into their pockets to donate.

But the March of Dimes couldn’t help Winifred. After two and a half years under their doctor’s expert care, her parents were told: “There is no hope.”

Despite this dire prediction, her grandparents were determined to find a cure. They were not about to accept the opinion of so-called “medical experts.” They decided to choose their own health care and they took Winifred to Dr. Lewis Robertson, a chiropractor. In less than six months of having her nerve interference corrected, Winifred Gardella threw away her crutches and braces and went for a walk with her chiropractor. She has been walking ever since!

Source: Chiropractic First

Dr. Moulas on Chiropractic Misconceptions Part I

Doctors of Chiropractic make up the second largest health care profession in the United States. They have the title of “doctor” along with medical doctors and dentists.

The educational background for chiropractors is similar to that of an M.D. Chiropractors have pre-chiropractic studies at colleges before being admitted into Chiropractic College. In chiropractic college, the length of study is 5 years, which is concluded with a clinical internship.

Chiropractors must pass state and national board examinations, where they earn the title “Doctor of Chiropractic.”

Health Report U.S. GOVERNMENT REPORT SAYS CHIROPRACTIC IS BEST FOR LOWER BACK PAIN

According to a government study done by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, spinal manipulation is the most effective treatment for acute lower back pain.

Lower-back pain is suffered, at one time or another, by up to 80 percent of adult Americans. Next to the common cold, it is the most common reason men and women visit primary care physicians.

For lower back pain this is some of what the report recommends:

1. Spinal manipulation by a chiropractor. 

2. Low-stress exercise such as walking, swimming or biking, if the problems are “mild or moderate.”

3. More rigorous “conditioning exercises” for the trunk muscles to start and gradually increase after the first two weeks of pain.

SOURCE: Chicago Sun-Times