“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 open an article! It continues:
- $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 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 seek another way to cut costs, particularly when one-third
of the money goes to hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2)
Satterwhite Chiropractic is well-equipped and knowledgeable
in offering non-hospital-based care to help Oxford back pain –
chronic and acute – patients find relief of and handle
their back pain – and post-surgical continued back pain - non-surgically.
LOW
BACK PAIN FACTS
Low
back pain is the leading cause of years lived with
disability around the world. 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 new 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interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions,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) Satterwhite Chiropractic reads this with interest.
BACK
SURGERY CHOICE
In
light of these facts, it is not hard to believe that
some back pain sufferers will decide on back surgery over
non-surgical management of their back pain. “Patients go where
insurance pays, even if it is surgery.” In one study, back pain sufferers chose to visit a primary care physician (PCP) or
physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor initially 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 inspire
low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative
treatment instead of back surgery. (4) Satterwhite Chiropractic is
all for this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers must
have back surgery. (5) Satterwhite Chiropractic is prepared to assist
the rest of the Oxford back pain
sufferers manage their back pain and adapt their
lifestyles to live with the spine they have and cope with
its episodes of pain and relief.
RECURRENT
BACK PAIN
Oxford
back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain comes
back. It happens. It’s controllable. It is
manageable. Some data 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 prompt
the risk of back pain recurrence. (6) It’s ok though. Really!
Satterwhite Chiropractic helps Oxford back pain patients find their
way through these recurrences and deal with them so they do
not limit anyone’s enjoyment of life.
We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT
Satterwhite 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, Oxford chiropractic care at
Satterwhite Chiropractic can help you deal with repeated episodes of back
pain, too.
Schedule a Oxford chiropractic appointment at
Satterwhite 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.