June 2011 Newsletter
Less Work-Related Disability Associated With Chiropractic
Workers who go to chiropractors for back pain treatment experience less disability recurrence within a year after a job related injury, according to the findings of a major new study.
The research was from the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety,
and doctors reported the findings in the April 2011 issue of the Journal
of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
The odds of disability recurring were significantly higher for patients seeking care from physical therapists or physicians, than for non-treatment or chiropractor-treatment, which were lowest.
A total of 894 cases were followed for one year and the scientists controlled for demographics, such as age, and sex, and for severity of pain.
Ten percent of patients had recurrent disability, but those treated by chiropractors fared better, used less opioids, had fewer surgeries, and less overall expenses.
The findings support prior recent studies on cost-effectiveness of chiropractic among Blue Cross Blue Shield subscribers in Tennessee, and older studies such as the 1993 Manga Report from Canada that suggested millions would be saved annually if patients with work related injuries were managed by chiropractors.
The findings point to the need for chiropractic management of work related back problems, and offer more evidence that chiropractic care should be the first—and not the last—choice for management of back and spine problems.
Other studies suggest that chiropractors encourage their patients to make exercise and lifestyle changes that, combined with regular chiropractic adjustments, further promote health and wellness.
Sincerely,
Rob Leach, DC, MS, FICC, CHES
Further Reading:
- To read the April 2011 research that found less recurrence of work related disability after chiropractic care visit: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21407100
- Recent Nov/Dec 2010 research of one large group of Blue Cross Blue Shield subscribers in Tennessee found cost savings when patients were given better access to chiropractic care: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21109053
- The report by Canadian economist Pran Manga in 1993 documented millions in savings if expanded access to chiropractic services were Ontario government policy: http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/16/09/15.html