October is National Chiropractic Health Month

October is National Chiropractic Health Month, and this year, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) wants to bring awareness to treating pain and other health concerns through non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical means. “Conservative Care First” is this year’s theme and is an effort to educate the general public about the cost-effectiveness of choosing chiropractic care for pain management prior to more expensive options.

“During National Chiropractic Health Month, doctors of chiropractic will encourage patients to ask questions and learn about safe, effective, conservative approaches that may help them avoid riskier and more costly treatments,” said ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC. 

Take into consideration a study conducted in 2012 on Washington state workers that found only 1.5 percent of those with back pain treated by a chiropractor went on to have surgery, whereas 42.7 percent of people who visited a surgeon or medical doctor consequently had surgery performed. People suffering from back and neck pain generally think to visit their medical doctor first who may prescribe medications and refer them to a specialist. The ACA wants people to know that chiropractic care can be advantageous in not only treating the pain without medications but also as a more value-friendly solution, among other benefits. 

The ACA stated in a press release three reasons why “Conservative Care First” is “more important today than ever in facing our nation’s healthcare challenges.” The first reason is that chiropractic physicians are the “highest-rated healthcare practitioners for low-back pain treatments with their patient-centered, whole-person approach that provides greater interaction and communication for appropriate diagnosis and developing more cost-effective treatment planning.” 

The second reason correlates with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call an “epidemic” of prescription drug abuse in America. Patients are given medications that simply mask the pain and can cause dangerous addictions when taken for long periods of time. In 2010, more than 17,000 people were killed because of their overuse of pain medications. Chiropractic doctors practice safe, all-natural methods without the use of pills. 

The third reason suggests that recent evidence points to the overuse (and questions the effectiveness) of “more invasive treatments such as spinal fusion surgery and spinal steroid injections” to treat back pain. There’s no question that any surgery is an expensive procedure, so it is “reasonable for patients to exhaust more conservative options before undergoing these costly procedures,” according to the ACA. 

The American Chiropractic Association is the largest professional organization that represents doctors of chiropractic in the United States. The ACA hosts National Chiropractic Health Month every October to help raise public awareness of the numerous benefits of chiropractic care with its natural, patient-centered approach to health.   

At Integrative Chiropractic, we strive to achieve what you are looking for by not only treating your aches and pains through a variety of techniques but also educating you about what is causing them. Chiropractic is a complete restoration of your nervous system, and it all starts with your spine. Whether it’s headaches, back aches or neck pain you have, call Dr. Leger to schedule a consultation or appointment.