Call us to set up an appointment! Herndon (703) 561-0600 Ashburn (703) 723-4040

The Role of Insurance Coverage in the Ashburn 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 goes on:

  • $90 billion on low back pain alone a year
  • 1.2 million spinal surgeries annually
  • $60,000 to $110,000 per lumbar fusion surgery (the fastest-growing type of surgery in the past 10 years)

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

LOW BACK PAIN FACTS

Low back pain is the foremost cause of years lived with disability around the world. 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 Pharmaceutical companies’ financial interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions, and legal, personal, political, and societal beliefs of us all.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 concepts 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

In light of these facts, it is not hard to believe that some back pain sufferers will decide on 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 chose to see a primary care physician (PCP) or physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor initially because of their health plan type, co-payment, and deductible. Changing these things to make them more valuable/less expensive/less restrictive as to provider type could encourage low back pain sufferers to pick 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 ready to help the remaining 99% of the Ashburn back pain sufferers cope with their back pain and rework their lifestyles to be with the spine they have and deal with its episodes of pain and relief.

RECURRENT BACK PAIN

Ashburn back pain sufferers are not alone if their back pain returns. It happens. It is controllable. It is manageable. Some data first: Within a year of recovery, 69% of patients had another episode of back pain of some sort. What risks prompt a recurrence of back pain? Awkward postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences. (6) It is ok though. Truly! Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn helps Ashburn back pain patients navigate these recurrences and deal with 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 discuss how he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you’re pregnant or not, Ashburn chiropractic care at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn can help you deal with repeated episodes of back pain, too.

Schedule a Ashburn 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 look for 50% relief within 4-6 weeks of care and often delivers 70%, 80%, 90% and greater for many of our patients at less cost – in terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.

Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn notes that back pain sufferers may choose their back pain treatment option based on insurance coverage. If insurance pays for back surgery, will you choose that?  
 
« View All Featured Articles
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."