Have you ever waited to get important medical treatment because you needed to save “more cash” or because your busy at the moment0 and need “more time”? Good news! You don’t need to wait and disregard your health any longer. A recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that manual therapies like chiropractic care are much more cost-effective than standard medical treatments for back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Researcher Alexander Tsertsvadze, M.D., joined efforts with five other top medical professionals who studied more than half-a-dozen publications to determine which treatment regimens were the most cost effective and offered the greatest relief. They looked at manual therapy techniques (osteopathic, physiotherapy, and chiropractic manipulation) and compared them to mainstream health care therapies, such as seeing a Medical Doctor, to identify which one’s cost patients the lest money. Chiropractic won hands down.
All the manual therapy methods researched were more affordable than being treated by a medical doctor for lower back pain, neck or shoulder pain. The research also highlighted that chiropractic care was the most affective at addressing the symptoms, correcting the issue long term and managing pain and inflammation without the need for medications. The results took into consideration added free “bonuses” accessible by the medical doctor, such as advise and support regarding exercise, resting the injured area, and other treatment-based advice.
So, how much more cost effective was chiropractic?
A study from the Archives of Internal Medicine included in the review found a 12% decrease in annual medical costs, which they equated to roughly $208 per person. Another study cited in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found a range much higher than that, stating savings of $291 to $1,722 over a two-year time period.
What Does This Mean?
This research shows that if you are experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain, seeing a chiropractor instead of going to your medical doctor will provide the best results and save you money. This economic advantage means more cash in your wallet to cover your necessities and less going out in medical care for you and your loved ones.
Maybe policy makers and insurance companies will consider the evidence and offer better chiropractic treatment coverage to the very people they are there to provide healthcare insurance for. When other medical costs appear to be on the rise, this is the best news; for you, your family and the health care industry.
References
Tsertsvadze A, et al. Cost-effectiveness of manual therapy for the management of musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of evidence from randomized controlled trials. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2014.
Legorreta A, et al. Comparative analysis of individuals with and without chiropractic coverage: patient characteristics, utilization, and costs. Archives of Internal Medicine 2004.
Stano M. Further analysis of health care costs for chiropractic and medical patients. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.1994 Sep;17(7):442-6.