Numerous studies have shown that services delivered by Doctors of Chiropractic
(DC) are cost effective and safe. The following are excerpts from several
of these studies. By examining the research, which demonstrates the cost
savings associated with the services delivered by Doctors of Chiropractic, you
will find that these services offer
tremendous potential in meeting today’s health care challenges. The results
suggest that insurance companies that restrict access to Doctors of Chiropractic
may, inadvertently, be paying more for care than if they removed these
restrictions.
- A 2010 study by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee for
low back pain care initiated with a Doctor of Chiropractic saves 40% on
health care costs when compared with care initiated through a medical
doctor.(1)
- A 2010 study at the University of British Columbia
found that for lower back pain of less than 16 weeks, guidelines-based
care provided by Chiropractic Physicians is significantly more effective
than “usual care” provided by medical physicians.(2)
- In a 2009 report by Arnold Milstein, MD, MPH of Mercer
Health Benefits, and Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School
found “…when considering
effectiveness and cost together, Chiropractic Physician care for low back
and neck pain is highly cost effective, [and] represents a good value in
comparison to medical physician care…”(3)
- A 2004 study showed patients who went to
Chiropractic Physicians as their primary care providers had 43% decreased
in hospital admissions, 52% reductions in pharmaceutical costs and 43%
fewer outpatient surgeries and procedures.(4)
- In a follow-up 2007 study to the one above, patients enrolled in a DC network
experienced fewer hospital visits, spent less time in a hospital for care,
underwent fewer surgeries and used far fewer pharmaceuticals than other
HMO patients who received traditional medical care.(5)
- A 2004 study published in the British Medical Journal
found spinal manipulation would be “a cost-effective addition to ‘best
care’ for back pain in general practice.”(6)
- According to a 2004 article in the Journal Spine:
Spinal manipulative treatment for both chronic and acute lower back pain
was more effective and provided more short-term relief than many other
types of care, including prescription drugs, physical therapy and home
exercise.(7)
References:
(1) Cost of Care for Common Back Pain
Conditions Initiated With Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of
Osteopathy as First Physician: Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health
Insurer,” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), 2010.
(2) Bishop PB, Quon JA, Fisher CG,
Dvorak MF. The Chiropractic Hospital-based Interventions Research Outcomes
study: a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of clinical practice
guidelines in the medical and chiropractic management of patients with acute
mechanical low back pain. Spine Journal, 2010
(3) Choudhry N, Milstein A. Do
chiropractic physician services for treatment of low-back and neck pain improve
the value of health benefit plans? An evidence-based assessment of incremental
impact on population health and total healthcare spending. San Francisco:
Mercer Health and Benefits;2009.
(4) Sarnat, R.; Winterstein, J.
Clinical and Cost Outcomes of an Integrative Medicine IPA. JMPT, 2004.
(5) Sarnat, R.; Winterstein, J; Cambron
JA. Clinical and Cost Outcomes of an Integrative Medicine IPA; an additional
3-year update. JMPT, 2007.
(6) UK BEAM Trial Team. United Kingdom
back pain exercise and manipulation (UK BEAM) randomized trial:
cost-effectiveness of physical treatments for back pain in primary care. BMJ
Online First, 2004.
(7) Bronfort G, Haas M, Evans R, Bouter
L. Efficacy of Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization for Low Back Pain and Neck
Pain: A Systematic Review and Best Evidence Synthesis. Spine Journal, 2004
Many people are aware that chiropractic is an effective way to relieve a number pain conditions, but a growing body of research suggests it can also improve immunity.
