Many who are contemplating visiting a chiropractor are unsure of what it will cost. There is good news concerning the cost of chiropractic care. Charges in a chiropractic office are generally very affordable. This article will review the topic.
Your first visit and follow-up visits
On your first visit to a chiropractor, the doctor will want to talk with you about the specific condition you are concerned with and your health generally. He will check you physically by feeling (called palpation) over the sore area for muscle spasm and tenderness, observing if you have normal movements of the affected area, and perform other physical tests. He may require x-rays of the site of your complaint. While a visit to a hospital emergency room might entail many x-rays, a chiropractor may need to take only a couple to adequately assess the condition. The first visit to a chiropractor will be much less than going to the emergency room and will be more like a typical visit to a family practice doctor.
Once the chiropractor has determined what is causing the health problem, he will generally perform “manipulations” or “adjustments”. Physical therapy such as electrical muscle stimulation, and stretching and strengthening exercises may also be given to assist in faster healing and long-term improvement and stability. These follow-up visits are typically less expensive than the first visit and are usually found to be very affordable.
Insurance coverage of chiropractic treatment
Most mainstream, responsible health insurance policies have approved coverage of chiropractic treatment for many years. The plans vary in degree of coverage per insurance company. When you go to the chiropractor for your initial visit, be certain to take your insurance card with you and your chiropractor and his staff can check with your insurance plan to verify exactly what your coverage is.
Also those who are injured in an automobile accident have coverage for chiropractic care in their policies in most states, including Pennsylvania.
Research studies show chiropractic to be cost-effective, and high in patient satisfaction
A research study in Oregon showed chiropractic treatment helped people who are unable to work due to low back injury to get back to work in a third of the time of medical treatment (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).
A study in Utah showed medical treatment cost 10 times the amount of chiropractic care for lower back pain (Journal of Occupational Medicine).
Another study in 2005 showed that chiropractic care for low back and neck pain resulted in a reduction in the rates of surgery, advanced imaging, in-patient care and x-rays (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).
Another study showed patients utilizing a chiropractor as a healthcare provider required 50% fewer drugs and pharmaceuticals and had a 50% fewer days spent in the hospital (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).
Finally, chiropractic patients found more satisfaction with their treatment than patients who received medical care or physical therapy (American Journal of Public Health).
An ounce of prevention…
If you are experiencing neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain or shoulder pain early intervention is the best way to recover quickly, and will always be more cost effective than waiting. Most problems worsen over time and necessitate more treatment. Remember, procrastination is the thief of good health.
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