80% of people experience disruptive back pain at some point in their lives. Since it is so common, back pain financially effects insurance companies. With these statistics in mind, they put a lot of effort into finding out what the best, most efficient treatment for back pain is. They also analyze practitioners for cost efficiency and patient satisfaction. What does that mean for the consumer?
Optum Health did a very extensive research project on the treatment of back pain. Optum Health’s analysis stated that chiropractic care is the most effective treatment for back pain! That is not all that surprising for chiropractors, nor is it surprising for chiropractic patients. However, not everyone goes to see a chiropractor for their back pain.
A lot of patients see their medical doctors (MD) for back pain. I have met with many MDs, and most of them hate low back pain because they are limited to interventions. Most commonly, pain medication and muscle relaxants are a typical treatment to mask the effects of the back issue. Medications can have significant, negative consequences:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Detrimental to the liver
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Detrimental to the stomach
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Detrimental to the stomach
- Asprin (Bayer)
- Detrimental to the stomach
- Prednisone (steroid)
- Detrimental to the stomach,
- can have negative effects on endocrine and immune systems
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)-
- Opioid that can have problems with addiction
- Contains acetaminophen that is detrimental to the liver
- May contribute to heroin addiction
- Codeine (Tylenol #3)
- Opioid that can have problems with addiction
- Contains acetaminophen that is detrimental to the liver
- May contribute to heroin addiction
- Oxycodone (Percocet)
- Opioid that can have problems with addiction
- Contains acetaminophen that is detrimental to the liver
- May contribute to heroin addiction
- Oxycodone Long acting (Oxycontin)
- Opioid that can have problems with addiction
- May contribute to heroin addiction
- Cyclobezaprine (Flexeril)
- causes hang over drowsiness
- Ineffective for pain
Patients and medical professionals have these potentially dangerous medications at hand, but they’re not the preferred treatment due to the negative side effects. Often medical doctors will refer to physical therapists associated inside of their clinics/hosptitals. However, if they read the literature, chiropractic can be much more effective.
What most patients don’t understand is that chiropractors are primary care physicians. This means that patients don’t need a referral to see a chiropractor. Because of Optum Health’s study, it is wise for patients to see a chiropractor before they see any other provider. If further care is needed, chiropractors are very well trained to make the correct decision for a referral to other providers, and often co-manage serious cases with medical doctors, physical therapists, physical trainers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, nutritionists, and other providers.
Optum Health and other insurance companies also like to know who the most effective doctors are. They use systems to find out which doctors get patients better the fastest (the most effective). They do this by putting network doctors into tiers. It is not all that surprising that Cannon Pointe Chiropractic is in the top tier for EVERY insurance company! This means that Cannon Pointe Chiropractic is scientifically the best place for the Northfield area to go for back pain! If you have low back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, hip pain, or knee pain, please call our office at 507-645-8000. We are the place to call based on SCIENCE!
Is Chiropractic Care Right for You?
Chiropractic is effective in treating many conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and so much more!