The Role of Chiropractic Care in Healthcare

Introduction

Chiropractors serve as primary care providers in Florida for the neuromusculoskeletal system. If you have a condition related to your nerves, muscles, or bones, we should be the first professionals you consult. Our approach to healthcare is conservative, aiming to address issues without invasive procedures. Chiropractic care is considered conservative because it carries minimal risk. We do not alter your body chemistry through medications or change your body's function through surgery. Instead, we focus on restoring motion to the spine and addressing dysfunctions such as muscular tightness and weakness.

Our Approach

At Jepsen Chiropractic Wellness Center, our primary method of care involves chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments aim to restore proper motion to the spine, which can alleviate pain and improve overall function. This approach is comprehensive because we also address muscular imbalances by stretching what is tight and strengthening what is weak.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Our belief in starting healthcare conservatively is not just an opinion; it is well-supported by research. Here are some key findings from the highly respected medical journal, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics:

1. Patients who saw a chiropractor had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription. Patients participating in chiropractic care were 64% less likely to receive an opioid prescription than non-users.

2. The cost per episode of care for low back pain was 20% less when care was initiated with a chiropractor rather than a medical physician. When care was initiated with a chiropractor, patients saw fewer total healthcare providers throughout their episode of care.

3. In Medicare-aged patients, expenditure was greatest among those who used medical care alone, whereas patients engaging in spinal manipulation had the lowest overall expenditure, shorter episode of care, and lower cost per episode-day.

4. The risk of injury within seven days in patients receiving manipulation from a chiropractor was lower compared with primary care.

5. Patients who received chiropractic in addition to usual medical care reported a significant improvement in back pain intensity and disability at six weeks compared with those with usual medical care alone.

6. Spinal manipulation generally is a safe modality to include in spine treatment and was associated with rare minor harms (e.g., soreness). Spinal manipulation has become an attractive modality due to its role in mitigating cost, decreasing opioid prescriptions, and shortening episodes of care. [1]

   
   

The Health & Economic Impact

As these studies show, seeing a chiropractor first can lead to less pain, reduced opioid use, and lower healthcare costs. This is significant because, in healthcare, the financial impact of care is a major consideration for many. Chiropractic care not only addresses the root cause of pain but also reduces the overall number of treatments needed, making it a cost-effective solution.

Addressing Concerns About Neck Manipulations

There is a lot of misinformation about the risks associated with neck manipulations. Here's what the research says:

1. "No excess risk of stroke for chiropractic manipulation compared to primary (MD) care." [2]

2. "No significant association between stroke and chiropractic visits. Manipulation is an unlikely cause of stroke." [3]

3. "The association between cervical spinal manipulation and cervical artery dissection is NOT causal in nature." [4]

4. "Among patients aged 65 and older who received cervical spinal manipulation, the risk of cervical artery dissection is no greater." [5]
   

These studies clearly show that chiropractic spinal manipulation does not cause strokes. Patients with symptoms of an impending stroke are more likely to seek care from various providers, including chiropractors. Chiropractic or medical treatment is not the cause of the stroke but a non-contributory midpoint of a developing crisis.

One recent study concluded: “it is unlikely that chiropractic care is a significant cause of injury. In fact, the risk of injury was 76% lower among subjects with a chiropractic office visit than those who saw a primary care physician.” [6]

Conclusion

Chiropractic care stands out as an effective and conservative approach to managing neuromusculoskeletal conditions. As highlighted, chiropractors are primary care providers in Florida who focus on restoring spinal motion and addressing muscular imbalances. The benefits of chiropractic care are well-supported by research, showing that patients who see chiropractors first have a reduced reliance on opioid prescriptions, lower healthcare costs, and fewer overall healthcare visits. This conservative care approach not only addresses the root cause of pain but also proves to be a cost-effective solution.

The economic impact of chiropractic care is significant. Patients initiating care with chiropractors, especially for low back pain, experience notable cost savings and more efficient treatment. Medicare-aged patients engaging in spinal manipulation report lower overall expenditures, shorter episodes of care, and fewer total healthcare visits. These benefits underscore the importance of considering chiropractic care as a primary treatment option.

One of the most common concerns about chiropractic care involves the safety of neck manipulations. However, extensive research has shown that there is no excess risk of stroke from chiropractic manipulation compared to primary medical care. Studies involving millions of patients have found no significant association between chiropractic visits and stroke. The association between cervical spinal manipulation and cervical artery dissection is not causal in nature. Furthermore, the risk of injury within seven days in patients receiving manipulation from a chiropractor is lower compared to those who seek primary care. These findings highlight the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation.

Chiropractic care not only reduces the risk of injury and enhances recovery but also aligns with a broader goal of mitigating healthcare costs and decreasing opioid prescriptions. This holistic approach addresses both the physical and economic aspects of healthcare, making it an attractive modality for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Overall, chiropractors are the optimal choice for primary care providers when it comes to neuromusculoskeletal issues. By reducing costs, shortening recovery time, and decreasing the total number of treatments needed, chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective solution. There is no need to worry unnecessarily about injuries from chiropractic adjustments, as the research clearly supports their safety and efficacy. As the role of chiropractic care continues to evolve, it remains a vital component of a balanced and conservative healthcare approach, dedicated to improving patient outcomes and overall quality of life.

Sources

1. Hinkeldey N, Okamoto C, Khan J. Spinal Manipulation and Select Manual Therapies: Current Perspectives. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics. 2020 Nov 1;31(4):593-608.

2. Chaibi A et al. A risk-benefit assessment strategy to exclude cervical artery dissection in spinal manual-therapy: A comprehensive review. Ann Med. 2019 Mar 19:1-27.

3. Kosloff TM, Elto D, Tao J, Bannister WM. Chiropractic care and the risk of vertebrobasilar stroke: results of a case–control study in U.S. commercial and Medicare Advantage populations. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies (2015) 23:19.

4. Whedon JM, Petersen CL, Schoellkopf WJ, Haldeman S, MacKenzie TA, Lurie JD. The association between cervical artery dissection and spinal manipulation among US adults. European Spine Journal. 2023 Jul 8:1-8.

5. Whedon JM, Petersen CL, Li Z, Schoelkopf WJ, Haldeman S, MacKenzie TA, Lurie JD. Association between cervical artery dissection and spinal manipulative therapy–a Medicare claims analysis. BMC Geriatrics. 2022 Dec;22(1):1-9.

6. Whedon JM, et al. Risk of Traumatic Injury Associated With Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation in Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 66 to 99 Years. Spine 2015;40:264–270