The Role of Insurance Coverage in the Ashburn and Herndon Back Surgery or Non-Surgical Care Choice

“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,” reports Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s article called Health Insurers Look for Ways to Cut Costs with Back Surgery. What a way to begin an article! It continues:

• $90 billion on low back pain alone annually
• 1.2 million spinal surgeries annually
• $60,000 to $110,000 per lumbar fusion surgery (the fastest-growing type of surgery in the past decade)

The back surgery failure rate, the so-called “failed back syndrome” or the more “politically correct” term “post-surgical continued pain syndrome,” is as high as 50%. (1) With healthcare spending in the US exceeding $3.5 trillion - $10,739 a person – it is no wonder that insurers seek another way to cut costs, especially when one-third of the money is spent for hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is well-trained and confident in offering non-hospital-based care to help Ashburn and Herndon back pain – chronic and acute – patients get relief of and manage their back pain – and post-surgical continued back pain - non-surgically.

LOW BACK PAIN FACTS

Low back pain is the foremost reason of years lived with disability globally. 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 have a tendency to struggle with these novel 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 Pharmaceutical companies’ financial interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions, and legal, personal, political, and societal beliefs of us all.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) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn reads this with interest.

BACK SURGERY CHOICE

Considering these facts, it’s not hard to believe that some back pain sufferers will pick back surgery over non-surgical care of their back pain. “Patients go where insurance pays, even if it is surgery.” In one study, back pain sufferers made the choice to see a primary care physician (PCP) or physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor first based on their health plan type, co-payment, and deductible. Modifying these things 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) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn likes this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers require back surgery. (5) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is prepared to assist the other 99% of the Ashburn and Herndon back pain sufferers manage their back pain and adapt their lifestyles to be with the spine they have and cope with its episodes of pain and relief.

RECURRENT BACK PAIN

Ashburn and Herndon back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain comes back. It happens. It is controllable. It’s manageable. Some facts 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 is ok though. Truly! Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn helps Ashburn and Herndon back pain patients find their way through these recurrences and manage them so they don’t limit anyone’s enjoyment of life.  We have a treatment plan!

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

Listen to Dr. Kimble Cater on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson share how he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you’re pregnant or not, Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic care at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn can help you deal with repeated episodes of back pain, too.

Schedule a Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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 delivers 70%, 80%, 90% and more for many of our patients at less cost – in terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.