“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 start an article! It goes on:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone annually
- 1.2 million spinal surgeries a
year
- $60,000 to $110,000 per lumbar fusion
surgery (the fastest-growing type of surgery in the past decade)
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 exceeding $3.5
trillion - $10,739 per person – it’s no wonder that insurers look
for another way to cut costs, particularly when one-third
of the money is spent for hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2)
Apple Country Chiropractic is well-trained and confident
in offering non-hospital-based care to help Williamson back pain –
chronic and acute – patients find relief of and manage
their back pain – as well as post-surgical continued back pain - without
surgery.
LOW
BACK PAIN FACTS
Low
back pain is the leading reason of years lived with
disability globally. Today, recommendations
for low back pain relief care discourage pain medications, steroid injections
and spine surgery and encourage physical therapy and psychological therapy.
Healthcare systems tend 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interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions,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) Apple Country Chiropractic reads this with interest.
BACK
SURGERY CHOICE
Considering these facts, it is not hard to believe that
some back pain sufferers will choose 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. Modifying
these factors to make them more valuable/less expensive/less
restrictive as to provider type could inspire
low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative
treatment instead of back surgery. (4) Apple Country Chiropractic is
all for this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers must
have back surgery. (5) Apple Country Chiropractic is ready to assist
the remaining 99% of the Williamson 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
Williamson
back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain returns. It happens. It’s controllable. It’s
manageable. Some facts 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!
Apple Country Chiropractic helps Williamson back pain patients find their
way through these recurrences and deal with them so they don’t limit anyone’s enjoyment of life.
We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT
Apple Country Chiropractic
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, Williamson chiropractic care at
Apple Country Chiropractic can help you deal with repeated episodes of back
pain, too.
Schedule a Williamson chiropractic appointment at
Apple Country Chiropractic 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.