Data. Data. Data. We humans
are well scrutinized: our diseases,
our behaviors, our lives. In healthcare, data and stats can be beneficial to improve care, particularly path for low back pain management from conservative, non-surgical to surgical when
necessary. In Ashburn Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is experienced
in managing this flow of back pain care and in referring when/if necessary.
LOW BACK PAIN MANAGEMENT STATS
The global leading cause of
disability is low back pain. Diagnosing the cause of low
back pain – spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, non-specific and specific low back
pain – is key to managing it. One study stated
that low back examination tests alone are not always useful
when considered alone. (1) That’s why Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn correlates
everything - your history, current pain, exam tests’ results, imaging, and more
- to come up with a diagnosis as well as a treatment plan.
And not all back pain sufferers have to visit specialists
like spinal surgeons. Even the surgeons value it
when patients who require their skill (surgical
skills) are referred to them. A recent study highlighted that of 500 cases referred to a neurosurgeon, only 22% were
surgical candidates. 80% of referrals done during the study’s time
period were considered inappropriate.
The researchers wrote that “triaging approaches led by
musculoskeletal experts may improve referral appropriateness to specialized
care.” (2) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn agrees and is ready to perform
that role. Your Ashburn chiropractor is dedicated to diagnosing
and managing low back pain
and is well aware of when to refer for specialized treatment like advanced
imaging, surgery, etc.
DATA ON CHIROPRACTIC BACK PAIN PATIENT CARE
In the chiropractic realm of healthcare,
Care Response is a filled database of info from
chiropractic patients around the world. It’s been collecting
data for over 10 years regarding patient satisfaction. Two main
points of feedback were on what chiropractic patients thought was
good about their care and what could be improved. The good incorporated
clinical outcomes (decreased pain, improved
function, being understood as having pain and its cause), examination and description
of the condition and its treatment, professionalism, friendliness, feeling
valued as a person, safety, comfort, and punctuality. There is always room for
improvement, and patients commented that they wanted to
not be rushed during the visit, wanted to feel understood, wanted satisfactory
outcomes, etc. (3) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn strives to concentrate
on you during your time at our Ashburn chiropractic clinic.
CHIROPRACTIC IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE
As your Ashburn chiropractor, Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn works
to deliver the ‘good’! And we take it one step further to enhance
quality of life for our low back pain patients. The latest
series of questions to assist us in evaluating patients for
these outcomes is called PROMIS that encompasses
function, pain interference, pain intensity, fatigue, sleep, depression,
anxiety, satisfaction in social life, mental health, etc. The bottom
line from all the collected data found that patients (1)
improved significantly and felt they did, (2) improved significantly but did
not think they did, (3) did not improve significantly
but felt they did, (4) did not improve significantly or report
feeling better. (4) We strive for the ideal #1 outcome described
above, and we want to know how you feel you are.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Coleman Cormier on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates the relief of low back pain in a patient with a disc
herniation implementing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Make your Ashburn chiropractic
appointment now. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn studies the data
to best deliver quality of life-improving care for our Ashburn low
back pain patients.