“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 titled
Health Insurers Look for Ways to Cut Costs with Back Surgery. What a way
to start an article! It goes on:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone annually
- 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,” may be as high
as 50%. (1) With healthcare spending in the US over $3.5
trillion - $10,739 per person – it is no wonder that insurers look
for another way to cut costs, especially when one-third
of the money goes to hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2)
Chiropractic Solutions is well-equipped and confident
in offering non-hospital-based care to help San Jose back pain –
chronic and acute – patients find 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 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interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions,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 thoughts
are shared in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
believe it or not. (3) Chiropractic Solutions reads this with interest.
BACK
SURGERY CHOICE
Considering these facts, it is not hard to believe that
some back pain sufferers will decide on back surgery over
non-surgical care of their back pain. “Patients go where
insurance pays, even if it is surgery.” In one study, back pain sufferers chose 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 factors to make them more valuable/less expensive/less
restrictive as to provider type could encourage
low back pain sufferers to pick non-hospital, conservative
treatment rather than back surgery. (4) Chiropractic Solutions likes this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers must
have back surgery. (5) Chiropractic Solutions is prepared to help
the remaining 99% of the San Jose 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
San Jose
back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain comes
back. It happens. It is controllable. It is
manageable. Some facts first: Within a year of recovery, 69% of
patients had another episode of back pain of some sort. Awkward
postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences spark
the risk of back pain recurrence. (6) It’s ok though. Really!
Chiropractic Solutions helps San Jose back pain patients find their
way through these recurrences and manage them so they don’t limit anyone’s enjoyment of life.
We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT
Chiropractic Solutions
Listen
to Dr. Kimble Cater on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson discuss how
he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you
are pregnant or not, San Jose chiropractic care at
Chiropractic Solutions can help you cope with repeated episodes of back
pain, too.
Schedule a San Jose chiropractic appointment at
Chiropractic Solutions for back pain relief. Our care is not overused! The gentle, effective, evidence-based system of
Cox®
Technic look for 50% relief within 4-6 weeks of care and often delivers
70%, 80%, 90% and more for many of our patients at less cost – in
terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.