Chiropractic vs Surgery

In addition to the standard risks surgery poses such as infection, anesthesia complications, and blood clots, other well-documented risks specific to spinal injury include hardware migration (such as a screw breaking or a graft subsiding) and transitional syndrome (increased stress on segments next to where the fusion was performed), both of which may require additional surgery to remedy.

In fact, spine fusion surgery fails about 20% of the time (short-term), especially if the fusion involves three or more levels and rates of failure are typically reported even higher at the 5 and 10 year follow-ups (rates vary depending on study inclusion criteria and surgery performed) . This is a condition commonly known as “failed back surgery syndrome.” Other possible but rare complications with spinal surgery in the lower back include loss of bladder control and sexual dysfunction.

 

Chiropractic Care is Cost Effective

Studies have shown that chiropractic care has been a more cost effective option than medical doctors for many injuries stemming from workers compensation cases. The same research also revealed that the average number of lost workdays was lower for those receiving chiropractic care compared to those being treated by MDs. The results are clear: chiropractic care costs less than medical care and often puts people back to work sooner after an injury.

In fact, chiropractic care is so cost-effective that many employers would prefer that their insured employees take advantage of chiropractic before turning to other treatments. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupations and Environmental Medicine, “employers can save $1.65 in healthcare expenses for every $1 spent on a comprehensive employee-wellness program”. In a study of 2,000,000 chiropractic patients published in the American Health Policy Report in 1992 concluded that “chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs” and “chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care”. In general, insured patients receiving chiropractic care cost their employers and health insurance companies less money, due to fewer surgeries, decreased needs for medical imaging, and fewer trips to the hospital to deal with their neck or back pain.

Patient Satisfaction

Chiropractic patients are not only satisfied with the lower cost of their care; they consistently report very high levels of satisfaction with their overall treatment plan and provider.

Some reasons given for the high degree of satisfaction include lower rates of surgery, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer prescribed pharmaceuticals to treat the patient’s pain. Patients seeking an alternative treatment plan via chiropractic care are usually satisfied with what they find.

Chiropractic Care is Safe

Chiropractic care, including chiropractic adjustments of the cervical spine (neck), is one of the safest therapies for back and neck pain, joint pain and other types of musculoskeletal complaints.  Chiropractic care also carries significantly less risk than medications and surgery.

The ACA likes to explain the risk of chiropractic treatment this way: “to put this risk into perspective, if you drive more than a mile to get to  your chiropractic visit.”