Chiropractic: The Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care
Many who are contemplating visiting a chiropractor are not sure what it will cost. There is good news about the cost of chiropractic care. The charges at a chiropractic office are generally very affordable. This article will review the topic.
Your first visit and follow-up visits
On your first visit to a chiropractor, the doctor will want to talk with you about the specific condition that concerns you and your overall health. He will check you physically by feeling (called palpation) over the painful area for muscle spasms and tenderness, noting if he has normal movement of the affected area, and will perform other physical tests. He may require x-rays from the site of your complaint. While a visit to a hospital emergency room can involve many X-rays, a chiropractor may need to take only a couple to properly assess the condition. The first visit to a chiropractor will be much less than going to the emergency room and more like a typical visit to a family doctor.
Once the chiropractor has determined what is causing the health problem, he or she will usually perform “manipulations” or “adjustments.” Physical therapy, such as electrical muscle stimulation and stretching and strengthening exercises, may also be given to help with faster healing and long-term improvement and stability. These follow-up visits are usually less expensive than the first visit and are generally very affordable.
Chiropractic Treatment Insurance Coverage
Most conventional, responsible health insurance policies have approved coverage of chiropractic treatment for many years. Plans vary in degree of coverage by insurance company. When you go to the chiropractor for your initial visit, be sure to take your insurance card with you and your chiropractor and staff can check with your insurance plan to verify exactly what your coverage is.
Also those who are injured in a car accident have chiropractic care coverage on their policies in most states, including Pennsylvania.
Research studies show that chiropractic is cost-effective and high in patient satisfaction
A research study in Oregon showed that chiropractic treatment helped people unable to work due to a low back injury return to work in one-third the time it takes medical treatment (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).
A study in Utah showed that medical treatment costs 10 times more than chiropractic care for low back pain (Journal of Occupational Medicine).
Another 2005 study showed that chiropractic care for low back and neck pain resulted in reduced rates of surgery, advanced imaging, hospital care, and x-rays (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).
Another study showed that patients who used a chiropractor as their health care provider required 50% fewer drugs and pharmaceuticals and spent 50% fewer days in the hospital (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).
Finally, chiropractic patients found more satisfaction with their treatment than patients who received medical care or physical therapy (American Journal of Public Health).
A gram of prevention…
If you are experiencing neck pain, back pain, headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain, or shoulder pain, early intervention is the best way to recover quickly and will always be more cost-effective than waiting. Most problems get worse over time and require more treatment. Remember, procrastination is the thief of good health.