Why Do Americans Spend So Much on Pharmaceuticals? by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

PBS recently released a fantastic article on why Americans spend so much on pharmaceuticals.  We, as a nation, make up over 30% of the worldwide market for drugs.  Also, we pay twice as much for the same drugs as many European countries.  Their governments regulate the price of the drug in accordance with its therapeutic benefit.  In the US, the pharmaceutical companies are essentially able to set their own prices.  Additionally, they estimate drug use to RISE as the Affordable Care Act covers the cost of additional prescriptions.  

A substantial amount of these drugs are prescribed for pain.  We, as a profession, must position and place ourselves as the primary conservative care option for those patients suffering from musculoskeletal complaints.  There is no doubt that chiropractic has benefits beyond simply treating "back pain", but we need to start with the primary reasons patients approach our offices.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/americans-spend-much-pharmaceuticals/

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Is Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain Safe? by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

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An on-going topic of discussion, political posturing, and research is the safety of cervical spine manipulation.  Throughout the years this has been a hot button issue filled with pseudo-science, myth, and exaggeration. 

One of the most thorough research articles relating to the safety of cervical spine manipulation came from the esteemed SPINE Journal in 2007.  It obtained data from over 50,000 cervical spine manipulations and showed NO SERIOUS ADVERSE events for up to 7 days post-treatment.  

They found that "the risk of a serious adverse event, immediately or up to 7 days after treatment, was low to very low".  Additionally, they stated "risk rates described in this study compare favorably to those linked to drugs routinely prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions in general practice".  

In essence, they concluded that cervical spine manipulation is at least, if not more, safe than the medication you would receive from your primary care physician for neck pain.  

- Safety of Chiropractic Manipulation of the Cervical Spine.  SPINE Volume 32, Number 21, pp 2375-2378 @2007 

Interested in more?  See the Top 10 Chiropractic Research Articles which every chiropractor should know about HERE.

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-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic outreach group in the profession.  The service is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is efficient, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together.

Back Pain and Narcotics - The Evidence Based Chiropractor

“A recent meta-analysis revealed that narcotics provide little to no benefit in acute back pain, they have no proved efficacy in chronic back pain, and 43% of patients have concurrent substance abuse disorders, with aberrant medication-taking disorders as high as 24% of cases of chronic back pain.” - Martel et al. 2007

So why are so many medications still prescribed for acute back pain?  Well, the truth is that primary care physicians have a limited skill set to deal with musculoskeletal complaints.  Add to this the constant marketing by pharmaceutical companies and the desire to "help" the patient through the acute pain; and you start to see the formula for ill advised treatment.

Evidence based management guidelines continue to support the use of chiropractic care for these patients.  However, the impetus is on us, as chiropractors, to get out and let our local physicians know about the research.  

Martell BA, O’Connor PG, Kerns RD, et al. Systematic review: opioid treatment for chronic back pain: prevalence, efficacy, and association with addiction. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(2):116-127

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic outreach group in the profession.  The service is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is efficient, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together

AAOS Release List of Unnecessary Orthopedic Tests and Procedures- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

The AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) recently released their list of unnecessary orthopedic tests and procedures.  This is part of the "Choose Wisely" campaign which is, at least theoretically, supposed to assist patients in making proper health care decisions.

As the article released from Healio states:

"AAOS provided the five following recommendations for the Choose Wisely campaign:

• avoid performing routine postoperative deep vein thrombosis ultrasonography screening in patients who undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty;
• do not use needle lavage to treat patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee for long-term relief;
• do not use glucosamine and chondroitin to treat patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee;
• do not use lateral wedge insoles to treat patients with symptomatic medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee; and
• do not use postoperative splinting of the wrist after carpal tunnel release for long-term relief."

While these recommendations do not necessarily affect our practice as chiropractors, it is important to be familiar with the list so you may help guide your patients.  I am sure we all have patients who have had, or are scheduled for, some of the procedures on this list.  It may be in the best interest of your patient if you are able to provide them with information which may steer them away from invasive and ineffective treatments.  

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-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic outreach group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together.

Do I Need an MRI? by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Many primary care doctors order MRI's immediately for patients with spine complaints.  Did you know that research suggests the patients should be evaluated by a non-surgical spine physician first?  For many local primary care doctors, we are that choice! 

    -The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic outreach group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together

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