Affordable medical care in the US has become an increasingly distressing topic for many American families. A median family of four on the lowest coverage is looking to spend upwards of nearly $30,000 this calendar year in total costs. While a plateau of costs has been noted since the passing of the ACA many Americans are finding the burden of healthcare excessive, with 60% of US citizens indicating “that prescription drug prices should be a top health care priority. [With] more than a quarter of individuals having postponed care owing to cost.” As our population continues to grow and live longer, those over the age of 60 are becoming further burdened with medical costs.
For older adults with chronic back pain interested in lowering their health care costs, chiropractic care should be taken into consideration. In a study of over 72,000 individuals suffering from chronic back pain over the age of 60, performed by the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, it was found that in “costs of care for the episode and per episode day were lower for patients who used a combination of Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT) and conventional medical care opposed to patients who did not use any CMT.” This means that those using both CMT and conventional medical care are paying less than those solely utilizing their medical care practitioner. Furthermore, the study found that those using CMT alone “had lower overall costs of care, shorter episodes, and lower cost of care per episode day”. Above all else a patient’s health is paramount. At Knecht Chiropractic Clinic in Lakeview, Chicago, our doctors take into account each of our patients as an individual and work with them to find the most cost effective approach to their care. Our doctors work tirelessly to find a payment plan suitable for each of our patients.
In addition to lower medical costs a study reported by Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research found that those suffering from back pain who used Chiropractic care in addition to medical care reported “significantly better perceived low back pain improvement, overall health and quality of life, and greater satisfaction with healthcare services than patients who received medical care alone.”
In a country inundated with medical costs, chiropractic care seeks to find the root of the problem rather than covering symptoms with prescription pain-killers. See our last blog regarding the Opioid Crisis for information regarding the burden of prescription costs and addiction on the American public. For a natural, non-invasive approach to medical care, come into Knecht Chiropractic Clinic today!
Sources:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2680417
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29029606
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4834378/
http://pnhp.org/news/cost-of-health-care-for-a-typical-family-of-four-now-over-28000/