“Back
surgery is one of the most overused types of surgery as well as the most common
ailment that sends patients to doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists,”
conveys Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s article called
Health Insurers Look for Ways to Cut Costs with Back Surgery. What a way
to start an article! It goes on:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone annually
- 1.2 million spinal surgeries annually
- $60,000 to $110,000 per lumbar fusion
surgery (the fastest-growing type of surgery in the past 10 years)
The
back surgery failure rate, the so-called “failed back syndrome” or the more “politically
correct” term “post-surgical continued pain syndrome,” is as high
as 50%. (1) With healthcare spending in the US exceeding $3.5
trillion - $10,739 per person – it’s no wonder that insurers seek another way to cut costs, especially when one-third
of the money is spent for hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2)
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is well-trained and confident
in offering non-hospital-based care to help Sitka back pain –
chronic and acute – patients find relief of and manage
their back pain – and post-surgical continued back pain - without
surgery.
LOW
BACK PAIN FACTS
Low
back pain is the foremost reason of years lived with
disability globally. Today, recommendations
for low back pain relief care discourage pain medications, steroid injections
and spine surgery and encourage physical therapy and psychological therapy.
Healthcare systems tend to struggle with
these novel approaches. Why? Pharmaceutical companies’ financial
interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions,
and legal, personal, political, and societal beliefs of us all. These thoughts
are shared in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
believe it or not. (3) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka reads this with interest.
BACK
SURGERY CHOICE
Considering these facts, it’s not hard to believe that
some back pain sufferers will choose back surgery over
non-surgical management of their back pain. “Patients go where
insurance pays, even if it is surgery.” In one study, back pain sufferers chose to visit a primary care physician (PCP) or
physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor initially based
on their health plan type, co-payment, and deductible. Amending
these things to make them more valuable/less expensive/less
restrictive as to provider type might well inspire
low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative
treatment rather than back surgery. (4) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka likes this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers require back surgery. (5) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is ready to help
the remaining 99% of the Sitka back pain
sufferers manage their back pain and adapt their
lifestyles to live with the spine they have and deal with
its episodes of pain and relief.
RECURRENT
BACK PAIN
Sitka
back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain returns. It happens. It is controllable. It’s
manageable. Some facts first: Within a year of recovery, 69% of
patients experienced another episode of back pain of some sort. Awkward
postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences spark
the risk of back pain recurrence. (6) It’s ok though. Really!
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka helps Sitka back pain patients navigate these recurrences and manage them so they don’t limit anyone’s enjoyment of life.
We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen
to Dr. Kimble Cater on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson discuss how
he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you’re pregnant or not, Sitka chiropractic care at
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka can help you cope with repeated episodes of back
pain, too.
Schedule a Sitka chiropractic appointment at
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka for back pain relief. Our care is not overused! The gentle, effective, evidence-based system of
Cox®
Technic look for 50% relief within 4-6 weeks of care and often gets
70%, 80%, 90% and more for many of our patients at less cost – in
terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.