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ArticlesEffectiveness and Popularity of Chiropractic Care for Workers Research Shows Effectiveness and Popularity of Chiropractic Care for Workers“80% of Insured American Workers Have Coverage for Chiropractic Services” Fully 80 percent of American workers in conventional insurance plans, preferred provider organizations and point-of-service plans now have coverage that pays at least part of the cost of chiropractic care, according to a 1994 AHCPR (Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research) report. A study published in the July 1, 1998 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that chiropractic treatment is appropriate for low-back pain in a considerable number of cases. This study by the Rand Corporation found that 46 percent of a sample of low-back pain patients received appropriate care from doctors of chiropractic – an appropriateness rating similar to that of common medical procedures. Such proofs of effectiveness have made chiropractic care increasingly more popular as a part of employee insurance plans. A March 1998 article in Business and Health magazine explained this trend, saying, “Many companies say chiropractic coverage has lowered their medical and worker’s comp costs, while raising overall health and productivity.” The article also cites an Oregon study which found that median work time lost for employees with back pain injuries who used chiropractic care was only nine days as compared with 34.5 days for workers who used medical care. Quick relief of symptoms and sustained effectiveness have long attracted consumers to chiropractic care, whose popularity is demonstrated by the more than 20 million adults who used chiropractic services in just 1997 alone. The 1994 AHCPR guidelines for low-back pain concluded that spinal manipulation, chiropractic’s primary treatment technique, is one of only three treatments whose effectiveness is substantiated by rigorous research. “I have treated many patients suffering with low-back pain who have been told that the pain will go away on its own,” said Dr. Richard Cole of Cole Pain Therapy Group in Memphis. “That’s a very frustrating thing for patients to hear. In chiropractic care, we know that further treatment is necessary in many cases. And chiropractic care has been proven to be extremely effective at treating low-back pain. Many companies and insurers have recognized this and incorporated such care into their workers’ coverage.” Chiropractic doctors prescribe therapeutic regimens that often include physical therapy, rehabilitative exercises and nutritional supplements – all to help patients regain and maintain a healthy balance between their neurological system, muscles, and bones. Using a leading-edge combination of rehabilitation, traditional chiropractic methods, and years of experience with acute and chronic pain patients, ConservCare doctors have made a difference in the lives of thousands of people of all ages. For more information, call (901) 372-7730. “Of 1,996 low-back pain cases studied, patients receiving chiropractic treatment averaged 6.26 compensation days compared to 25.56 compensation days for medical patients. ”Chiropractic Journal of Australia, Ebrall (1992) Time Loss Studies
FLORIDA STUDY – Chiropractic case management, compared with standard medical case management, minimizes prolonged absence from work and excessive treatment costs for work related back injuries and illnesses.
UTAH STUDY – Work days lost under care provided by Doctors of Chiropractic was 10 times lower than under medical care for identical diagnostic codes. MANGA STUDY – “...injured workers...diagnosed with low-back pain returned to work much sooner when treated by chiropractors than by physicians.” a VIRGINIA RESEARCH STUDY – “By every test of cost and effectiveness, the general weight of evidence shows chiropractic to provide important therapeutic benefits, at economical costs. Additionally, these benefits, are achieved with apparently minimal, even negligible, impacts on the costs of health insurance.” b a. The Magna Report. Pran Manga and Associates (1993) - University of Ottawa Canada. b. Mandated Health Insurance Coverage for Chiropractic Treatment: An Economic Assessment, with Implications for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Schifrin LG. The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, and Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA – January 1992. Let ConservCare help you reduce your OSHA Recordables
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