“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 begin an article! It continues:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone a year
- 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 is no wonder that insurers seek another way to cut costs, particularly when one-third
of the money is spent for hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2)
Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is well-trained and knowledgeable
in offering non-hospital-based care to help West Des Moines back pain –
chronic and acute – patients get relief of and manage
their back pain – and post-surgical continued back pain - non-surgically.
LOW
BACK PAIN FACTS
Low
back pain is the leading cause of years lived with
disability globally. 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 are apt 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interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions,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 views
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
In
light of these facts, it’s not hard to believe that
some back pain sufferers will decide on 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 see a primary care physician (PCP) or
physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor first based
on their health plan type, co-payment, and deductible. Changing
these things to make them more valuable/less expensive/less
restrictive as to provider type might well encourage
low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative
treatment instead of 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 prepared to help
the remaining 99% of the West Des Moines back pain
sufferers manage their back pain and adapt their
lifestyles to live with the spine they have and cope with
its episodes of pain and relief.
RECURRENT
BACK PAIN
West Des Moines
back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain comes
back. 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. Awkward
postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences trigger
the risk of back pain recurrence. (6) It is ok though. Really!
Executive Chiropractic of Iowa helps West Des Moines back pain patients navigate these recurrences and deal with them so they do
not 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’re 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 gets
70%, 80%, 90% and greater for many of our patients at less cost – in
terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.