The Role of Insurance Coverage in the West Des Moines Back Surgery or Non-Surgical Care Choice
“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,” reports Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s article called Health Insurers Look for Ways to Cut Costs with Back Surgery. What a way to open an article! It continues:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone annually
- 1.2 million spinal surgeries a year
- $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 a person – it is no wonder that insurers look for another way to cut costs, especially when one-third of the money is spent for hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is well-equipped and confident in offering non-hospital-based care to help West Des Moines back pain – chronic and acute – patients get relief of and handle their back pain – and post-surgical continued back pain - without surgery.
LOW BACK PAIN FACTS
Low back pain is the foremost cause of years lived with disability around the world. Today, guidelines 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 Pharmaceutical companies’ financial interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions, and legal, personal, political, and societal beliefs of us all.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 notions are presented in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, believe it or not. (3) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa 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 made the choice 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 could inspire low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative treatment rather than back surgery. (4) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is all for this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers must have back surgery. (5) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is ready to assist the other 99% of the West Des Moines back pain sufferers cope with their back pain and rework their lifestyles to be with the spine they have and cope with its episodes of pain and relief.
RECURRENT BACK PAIN
West Des Moines back pain sufferers are not alone if their back pain returns. It happens. It is controllable. It is manageable. Some data first: Within a year of recovery, 69% of patients experienced another episode of back pain of some sort. What risks trigger a return of back pain? Awkward postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences. (6) It’s ok though. Really! Executive Chiropractic of Iowa helps West Des Moines back pain patients navigate these recurrences and deal with them so they don’t limit anyone’s enjoyment of life. We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Listen to Dr. Kimble Cater on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson share how he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you are pregnant or not, West Des Moines chiropractic care at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa can help you cope with repeated episodes of back pain, too.
Schedule a West Des Moines chiropractic appointment at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa for back pain relief. Our care is not overused! The gentle, effective, evidence-based system of Cox® Technic seeks 50% relief within 4-6 weeks of care and often delivers 70%, 80%, 90% and greater for many of our patients at less cost – in terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.
