Chiropractic care in the Veterans’ Administration healthcare
system is legislated and growing.
How chiropractic benefits the VA system and its patrons, the veterans, could show
how chiropractic’s inclusion in more healthcare systems may benefit a larger
population. New papers feature chiropractic’s
benefits. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa presents these to our
West Des Moines chiropractic patients who already feel lots
of these benefits!
CHRONIC PAIN HELP IN VHA
Non-pharmacological treatment modalities (NPM) are promoted in consensus guideline recommendations for care of chronic pain. US healthcare systems encounter
barriers to such implementation of such NPM except in the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA) which is a more integrated healthcare system with policies
promoting such NPM. In surveys, the military veteran-patients
who look for care in the VHA system are disproportionately
impacted by chronic pain. Chronic pain-afflicted veterans who went to
the VHA for care in the last 12 months
were more likely to get NPM. Types of NPM available
range from physical therapy, massage, chiropractic/spinal manipulation, psychotherapy,
educational classes, peer groups, and yoga/tai chi. The top 3 used by
chronic pain veterans were chiropractic care, educational class, or psychotherapy.
The VHA policies can help other integrated US healthcare systems integrate
the recommended non-pharmacological treatment modalities to benefit
their patients. (1) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is happy to see the inclusion
of chiropractic treatment in the VHA to help the many
musculoskeletal and chronic pain patients it serves.
MORE USE OF CHIROPRACTIC NPM IN VHA BUT USE IS STILL
LOW
Executive Chiropractic of Iowa hopes to witness use of chiropractic services expand. From 2005 to 2016 there was a rise in chiropractic
care use – part of the VA’s efforts to expand
non-pharmacological treatment options open to veterans - in the
VA either at on-site VA facilities (1.27% to 1.48%) or from VA-purchased
community care providers (0.29% to 1.76%). These numbers did increase
but are low compared to utilization by other US healthcare
chiropractic-using populations. (2) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
is honored to care for a bit larger percentage of West Des Moines
healthcare seeking patients.
CHIROPRACTIC’S EFFECT ON QUALITY OF LIFE
There is a reason patients seek out and
continue to receive chiropractic care: they feel
a difference. A recent study focused on how chiropractic care added
to usual medical care influenced health-related quality of
life scores. United States service members at the VHA who underwent
combined chiropractic care with usual medical care rated their
outcomes in a variety of questionnaires: PROMIS-29,
Roland Morris, and Global Improvement visual analog scale, the same or comparable
tests used daily in chiropractic practices everywhere.
Researchers found a statistically significant mean
group difference favoring the usual medical care plus
chiropractic care group versus usual medical care alone. (3) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa witnesses
this, too, and works with medical colleagues to benefit
our patients.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Katrina Weiland on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she discusses
treatment of a US Air Force Veteran with a herniated disc and
severe low back pain via the Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction System
of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your West Des Moines
chiropractic appointment today. Including
chiropractic care benefits chronic pain patients whether they have low back,
neck, leg, arm or other spine-related pain condition. Chiropractic’s inclusion
in West Des Moines healthcare grows.