ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A new study finds that low back pain care initiated with a doctor of chiropractic (DC) saves 40% on health care costs when compared with care initiated through a medical doctor (MD), the American Chiropractic Association(ACA) announced today. The study, featuring data from 85,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield beneficiaries, concludes that insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractors for low back pain treatment may inadvertently pay more for care than they would if they removed such restrictions.

Low back pain is a significant public health problem. Up to 85 percent of Americans have back pain at some point in their lives. In addition to its negative effects on employee productivity, back pain treatment accounts for about $50 billion annually in health care costs—making it one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.

The study, “Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated With Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician: Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insurer,” which is available online and will also be published in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, looked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee’s intermediate and large group fully insured population over a two-year span. The insured study population had open access to MDs and DCs through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays.

Results show that paid costs for episodes of care initiated by a DC were almost 40 percent less than care initiated through an MD. After risk-adjusting each patient’s costs, researchers still found significant savings in the chiropractic group. They estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.

“As doctors of chiropractic, we know firsthand that our care often helps patients avoid or reduce more costly interventions such as drugs and surgery. This study supports what we see in our practices every day,” said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “It also demonstrates the value of chiropractic care at a critical time, when our nation is attempting to reform its health care system and contain runaway costs.”

The American Chiropractic Association, based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients.

Links:

Back pain: http://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=68

Chiropractic: http://www.acatoday.org/level1_css.cfm?T1ID=42

American Chiropractic Association: http://www.acatoday.org/patients/index.cfm

study: http://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(10)00216-2/abstract

American Chiropractic Association: http://www.acatoday.org

11/18/10 - Dr. Riggio is introducing new chiropractic techniques he recently gained in a continuing education seminar on Charrette Extremity Adjusting Protocols.  Dr. Riggio received instruction on adjusting the upper and lower extremities.  The seminar was sponsored by Foot Levelers, Inc. and taught by a chiropractor, Dr. Mark Charrette, known for his expertise in the field.

   The seminar featured a lecture and hands-on demonstration of how to adjust the most common subluxation patterns found in the feet, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.  It also instructed doctors on the unique and effective Wrist Extension Thrust, and how stabilizing the feet can be the key to longer-lasting adjustments.  The practical nature of the seminar enables doctors to offer these new protocols immediately in their clinics.

   Dr. Riggio welcomes new patients to Itasca Health and Chiropractic for screenings to determine their chiropractic needs.  In addition to the methods from this seminar, his practice offers a cariety of therapies for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and spinal health.

For more information or to schedule appointments, contact Itasca Health and Chiropractic at 630-250-9200.