Thelma had been a patient of mine during the past 10 years. She would come in a couple of times a month for a tune-up, or "maintenance..."
Thelma developed high blood pressure and had a heart attack. A few weeks ago, her blood pressure was on the rise and she asked me to adjust her to help lower her blood pressure as it has done so in the past. We check her blood pressure before and after the adjustment and noticed a significant drop. Thelma is not alone. Many people suffering from hypertension have been treated successfully with chiropractic.
According to a study published in the March issue of Journal of Human Hypertension, chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck can significantly lower blood pressure in patients with Stage-1 hypertension.
Dr. George Bakris, principal investigator of this study, supplied patients from his clinic at the Rush University Hypertension Center in Chicago for the research.
He said the chiropractic technique studied "has the effect of not one but two blood pressure medications given in combination. And it seemed to be adverse-event free. We saw no side effects and no problems."
In describing why chiropractic was effective, Bakris discussed a "subpopulation of hypertensive patients that have neurogenic hypertension." In this case, it is thought that misalignment of the atlas vertebrae (the top vertebrae in the neck) results in changes in the vertebra artery and "are associated with the relative ischemia of the brainstem circulation and increased blood pressure."
...Thelma and I continue to work together. She is in her 80s now, and I appreciate her and the time we have together in friendship and health.
This is the opinion of Michelle Greenspan, a doctor of chiropractic and a certified chiropractic extremity practitioner. She can be reached at www.greenspanchiro.com.
To see full article:
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706190308
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Dr. Joseph Hudak
Dr. Joseph Hudak would like patients to think of chiropractic care as one spoke in the wheel of general wellness, not just a quick fix when they break down in a health crisis.
"I view myself as a chiropractor and as a health coach who should be part of your wellness too," he said. "Body parts and organs need to be maintained. We get our teeth cleaned. We get our eyes checked. I think everyone should be checked (by a chiropractor), from womb to tomb.
"Chiropractic is an art, a philosophy and a science."
The doctor... sees more female patients.
"Women value their health more," he said.
His patients generally are 35 to 55, although he sees young children, often with sports injuries.
"Injuries on a developing spine are probably more hazardous" than those to mature bones, he said.
Hudak's book, "The Journey to Wellness, A Practical Guide to Health Through Diet, Rest, Exercise, Alignment and Mental Attitude," was recently released...
Hudak emphasizes stress reduction, breathing exercises, attention to diet and sleep as steps on the path to wellness...
Interest in chiropractic came at an early age. Hudak was born with a dislocated hip and wore leg braces as a child. As a teenager, his condition was helped by a chiropractor. It was then he decided to study to become one.
Hudak receives chiropractic care at least once a week from Dr. Matthew Singer, who joined the office team three years ago.
Singer received his doctor of chiropractic degree from Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware. He also completed a two-year program in chiropractic neurology at Chicago's National Chiropractic College. Born in New Jersey, he lives in North Brunswick with his wife, Kelly.
Hudak attended Our Lady of Peace Grammar School in Fords and Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison. He attended Middlesex County College and then New York Chiropractic College. He completed a residency program at the Levittown Health Center in Long Island and practiced with Park Avenue Chiropractic in New York City before opening his wellness center in Edison in 1996.
Hudak and his schoolteacher wife, Christina, are expecting their first child in August.
Not surprisingly, the doctor said he plans to give his newborn a full chiropractic evaluation shortly after the birth.
More information is available at www.hudakchiro.com.
To see full article:
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070619&Category=LIFE07&ArtNo=706190429&SectionCat=&Template=printart
"I view myself as a chiropractor and as a health coach who should be part of your wellness too," he said. "Body parts and organs need to be maintained. We get our teeth cleaned. We get our eyes checked. I think everyone should be checked (by a chiropractor), from womb to tomb.
"Chiropractic is an art, a philosophy and a science."
The doctor... sees more female patients.
"Women value their health more," he said.
His patients generally are 35 to 55, although he sees young children, often with sports injuries.
"Injuries on a developing spine are probably more hazardous" than those to mature bones, he said.
Hudak's book, "The Journey to Wellness, A Practical Guide to Health Through Diet, Rest, Exercise, Alignment and Mental Attitude," was recently released...
Hudak emphasizes stress reduction, breathing exercises, attention to diet and sleep as steps on the path to wellness...
Interest in chiropractic came at an early age. Hudak was born with a dislocated hip and wore leg braces as a child. As a teenager, his condition was helped by a chiropractor. It was then he decided to study to become one.
Hudak receives chiropractic care at least once a week from Dr. Matthew Singer, who joined the office team three years ago.
Singer received his doctor of chiropractic degree from Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware. He also completed a two-year program in chiropractic neurology at Chicago's National Chiropractic College. Born in New Jersey, he lives in North Brunswick with his wife, Kelly.
Hudak attended Our Lady of Peace Grammar School in Fords and Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison. He attended Middlesex County College and then New York Chiropractic College. He completed a residency program at the Levittown Health Center in Long Island and practiced with Park Avenue Chiropractic in New York City before opening his wellness center in Edison in 1996.
Hudak and his schoolteacher wife, Christina, are expecting their first child in August.
Not surprisingly, the doctor said he plans to give his newborn a full chiropractic evaluation shortly after the birth.
More information is available at www.hudakchiro.com.
To see full article:
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070619&Category=LIFE07&ArtNo=706190429&SectionCat=&Template=printart
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Chiropractic Care Improves Fitness, Restores Balance
Never Too Old to Go for Gold: Chiropractic Care Improves Fitness, Restores Balance to Three Figure Skaters in Their Late 30’s
2007 U.S. Adult Singles and Pairs Champions apply chiropractic care to their ice skating regimens
Young or old, amateur or professional, figure skating at any level is a sport that causes discomfort and consistently strains muscles in the back, neck, legs and arms. For “30-something” skaters Ninotchka Aschow, Choeleen Loundagin and William Abel – all from Santa Rosa, California -- chiropractic care has not only been an important and necessary staple in their training and preparation but has also helped each one to realize a dream of winning a gold medal..
Along with competing at around the same age bracket, the three skaters have something else in common: they all work with chiropractor Dr. Christina Dumbadse, who not only offers the skaters physical relief from their injuries, but also takes a holistic approach to patient management, introducing ways to improve the skaters’ wellness, nutrition and mental acuity. Dr. Dumbadse is a member of The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (www.f4cp.org), a not-for-profit organization providing education about the benefits of chiropractic care.
“I am thoroughly impressed with Dr. Dumbadse’s approach, especially her attention to the latest research, best approaches for athletes and her pro-active approach to care,” says Loundagin, a 39-year-old singles skater throughout her entire career who did not actively compete for almost 22 years.
As a skating coach, she was constantly around the rink watching and interacting with the skaters, and assisting with their training. When the opportunity to participate in a pairs competition was presented to her, Loundagin embarked on an intense training schedule with skating partner, William Abel.
“Going from singles to pairs was a tricky transition, however seeing a chiropractor two to three times a week allowed me to develop the additional muscle and upper body strength for lifting, as well as keeping my alignment consistent,” explains Loundagin, who along with Abel won gold in the first championships pair’s competition at the U.S. Adult Championships. “I think it is important to take care of your body and appreciate what it is doing for you. Chiropractic care definitely helped me become stronger in areas that I was lacking.”
In the beginning, Abel would only visit with his chiropractor for adjustment purposes. Soon his office visits increased when he learned that chiropractic care was just as useful for preventative care.
“Skating is an unbalanced sport – you are jumping and landing on the same side of your body over and over,” says Abel. “Pairs skaters are always lifting with one arm and continuous favoring one side of the body. Over time, you begin to feel various pain sensations that can put your body into an uncomfortable state. For me, chiropractic care is the only thing that can turn around this type of situation. I would not go to a medical doctor for something like this.”
Ninotchka Aschow also understands the health and wellness benefits that come with chiropractic care. At age 37, she captured her second championship, the Gold Ladies Title at the 2007 U.S. Singles Championship.
“I have been seeing a chiropractor for the last 15 years and am confident that if I fall awkwardly and feel some discomfort during my performance, my chiropractor will fix my alignment and get me back on the ice later that day,” says Aschow. “I feel more vibrant and alive at age 37 than I did at age 27, and I can say that is a direct result of chiropractic care.”
2007 U.S. Adult Singles and Pairs Champions apply chiropractic care to their ice skating regimens
Young or old, amateur or professional, figure skating at any level is a sport that causes discomfort and consistently strains muscles in the back, neck, legs and arms. For “30-something” skaters Ninotchka Aschow, Choeleen Loundagin and William Abel – all from Santa Rosa, California -- chiropractic care has not only been an important and necessary staple in their training and preparation but has also helped each one to realize a dream of winning a gold medal..
Along with competing at around the same age bracket, the three skaters have something else in common: they all work with chiropractor Dr. Christina Dumbadse, who not only offers the skaters physical relief from their injuries, but also takes a holistic approach to patient management, introducing ways to improve the skaters’ wellness, nutrition and mental acuity. Dr. Dumbadse is a member of The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (www.f4cp.org), a not-for-profit organization providing education about the benefits of chiropractic care.
“I am thoroughly impressed with Dr. Dumbadse’s approach, especially her attention to the latest research, best approaches for athletes and her pro-active approach to care,” says Loundagin, a 39-year-old singles skater throughout her entire career who did not actively compete for almost 22 years.
As a skating coach, she was constantly around the rink watching and interacting with the skaters, and assisting with their training. When the opportunity to participate in a pairs competition was presented to her, Loundagin embarked on an intense training schedule with skating partner, William Abel.
“Going from singles to pairs was a tricky transition, however seeing a chiropractor two to three times a week allowed me to develop the additional muscle and upper body strength for lifting, as well as keeping my alignment consistent,” explains Loundagin, who along with Abel won gold in the first championships pair’s competition at the U.S. Adult Championships. “I think it is important to take care of your body and appreciate what it is doing for you. Chiropractic care definitely helped me become stronger in areas that I was lacking.”
In the beginning, Abel would only visit with his chiropractor for adjustment purposes. Soon his office visits increased when he learned that chiropractic care was just as useful for preventative care.
“Skating is an unbalanced sport – you are jumping and landing on the same side of your body over and over,” says Abel. “Pairs skaters are always lifting with one arm and continuous favoring one side of the body. Over time, you begin to feel various pain sensations that can put your body into an uncomfortable state. For me, chiropractic care is the only thing that can turn around this type of situation. I would not go to a medical doctor for something like this.”
Ninotchka Aschow also understands the health and wellness benefits that come with chiropractic care. At age 37, she captured her second championship, the Gold Ladies Title at the 2007 U.S. Singles Championship.
“I have been seeing a chiropractor for the last 15 years and am confident that if I fall awkwardly and feel some discomfort during my performance, my chiropractor will fix my alignment and get me back on the ice later that day,” says Aschow. “I feel more vibrant and alive at age 37 than I did at age 27, and I can say that is a direct result of chiropractic care.”
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Chiropractic is Helping Patients Feel Younger
As the baby boomer generation approaches retirement age, they have begun experiencing many of the ailments typically associated with aging. Common complaints are stiffness and aches and pains of various sorts.
According to Dr. Rode, it doesn’t have to be this way. “I get many patients who come to me in pain and one of their most frequent complaints is that their pain makes them feel old. They just naturally assume that as they age, they are going to automatically start having these problems.” Pain that is associated with aging can actually be attributed to misalignments in their spine. A common misconception is that soreness and aches in the muscle are only a muscular problem and that stretching will make it go away. What happens is nerves from the spine are pinched and that decreases or interrupts the nerve flow to the muscles causing the aches and pains.
Dr. Rode recommends chiropractic care to reduce and eliminate the pressure on the nerves thus getting rid of the aches and pains. He explains, “Often patients will have more energy, more stamina and are able to do things that they had mistakenly believed they couldn’t do any more. They tell me they feel several years younger now that they are pain free and can enjoy life more fully.”
According to Dr. Rode, it doesn’t have to be this way. “I get many patients who come to me in pain and one of their most frequent complaints is that their pain makes them feel old. They just naturally assume that as they age, they are going to automatically start having these problems.” Pain that is associated with aging can actually be attributed to misalignments in their spine. A common misconception is that soreness and aches in the muscle are only a muscular problem and that stretching will make it go away. What happens is nerves from the spine are pinched and that decreases or interrupts the nerve flow to the muscles causing the aches and pains.
Dr. Rode recommends chiropractic care to reduce and eliminate the pressure on the nerves thus getting rid of the aches and pains. He explains, “Often patients will have more energy, more stamina and are able to do things that they had mistakenly believed they couldn’t do any more. They tell me they feel several years younger now that they are pain free and can enjoy life more fully.”
Chiropractic Helps Lower Your Golf Score
Dr. Raymond Sue of University Chiropractic is helping golf lovers to stay on the green longer. "All too often I see golfers end up taking pain killers or having to reduce playing the game they love so much, all because of back pain from golf. Recently chiropractic treatment has really caught on with both amateurs and pro’s as an excellent way to alleviate those on-the-green pains," said Dr. Sue.
The problems occur from all those repetitive golf swings. It puts a significant strain on the lower back and other areas of the body. Since chiropractic is the science of the spine, they are in a good position to help golfers understand the correct way to take care of their bodies while still enjoying lots of golf.
Many of the nation’s head golf instructors now regularly seek chiropractic care to keep themselves healthy while going through the daily physical grind of golf instruction. Top professional golfers, like Tiger Woods, seek chiropractic care on a regular basis.
How well does chiropractic work in aiding golfers? A recent study reported that up to 85 percent of injuries on the PGA Tour and Senior Tour relate to the spine. Between 70 to 75 percent of these golfers receive chiropractic care regularly. There are approximately 25 to 30 million amateur golfers in America. Dr. Sue said, "It's my goal to educate part-time golfers who are passionate about their game, that chiropractic can keep them playing longer, more often, and into their retirement years while playing without pain. And chiropractic is also terrific for preventing injuries.”
Some chiropractors, like Dr. Raymond Sue, D.C., offer Free Golf Screenings to those with a sincere desire to explore how chiropractic might help them in improving their golf game and in staying healthy. For more information on how chiropractic can help improve your golf game, please consult your local chiropractor.
The problems occur from all those repetitive golf swings. It puts a significant strain on the lower back and other areas of the body. Since chiropractic is the science of the spine, they are in a good position to help golfers understand the correct way to take care of their bodies while still enjoying lots of golf.
Many of the nation’s head golf instructors now regularly seek chiropractic care to keep themselves healthy while going through the daily physical grind of golf instruction. Top professional golfers, like Tiger Woods, seek chiropractic care on a regular basis.
How well does chiropractic work in aiding golfers? A recent study reported that up to 85 percent of injuries on the PGA Tour and Senior Tour relate to the spine. Between 70 to 75 percent of these golfers receive chiropractic care regularly. There are approximately 25 to 30 million amateur golfers in America. Dr. Sue said, "It's my goal to educate part-time golfers who are passionate about their game, that chiropractic can keep them playing longer, more often, and into their retirement years while playing without pain. And chiropractic is also terrific for preventing injuries.”
Some chiropractors, like Dr. Raymond Sue, D.C., offer Free Golf Screenings to those with a sincere desire to explore how chiropractic might help them in improving their golf game and in staying healthy. For more information on how chiropractic can help improve your golf game, please consult your local chiropractor.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Chiropractors: Court Victory vs. 'Quackbuster'
In a strongly worded opinion, the Appeals Court for the State of Pennsylvania ruled against Stephen Barrett, a long-time critic of chiropractic and alternative health care. In an action that chiropractors see as a major setback for their nemesis, the judge refused to overturn a 2005 decision against Barrett.
The earlier lawsuit was won by chiropractor Tedd Koren, DC, whose company markets chiropractic educational pamphlets that Barrett had harshly criticized.
In his newsletter, Dr. Koren referred to the self-proclaimed "Quackbuster" as a "Quackpot" and commented that Barrett was "de-licensed," and "in trouble." Barrett sued Koren for defamation and lost the case.
Barrett, who represents himself as an expert on health care quackery, has appeared as a medical expert in numerous court cases and claims the FDA, FTC and other governmental agencies have consulted him on health care issues. He is noted for his outspoken opposition to and criticism of non-medical health care approaches, most of which he labels "quackery." His targets have included chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, and even two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling.
Heading the legal team for the original Koren case and appeal was Carlos Negrete, who serves as legal counsel for the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA).
"This is a great victory for the chiropractic profession," Koren stated after the Pennsylvania Appellate Court decision was announced. "Once again, chiropractors across the country have been vindicated and exposed the specious and evil attacks by someone who has no knowledge or expertise in our field."
Negrete specializes in representing alternative health care providers who are targeted by advocates of the medical and pharmaceutical industries. His previous court victories have positioned him as the premier "health freedom" attorney in the US.
During heated and often dramatic courtroom proceedings, Negrete pointed out many of the questionable statements Barrett includes on his websites attacking chiropractic, as well as facts about Barrett's own credentials that shocked even his supporters. Under Negrete's intense cross-examination, Barrett admitted that he had not been a licensed physician for more than a decade and had failed the neurological exam, preventing him from being certified as a specialist. Negrete demonstrated that, despite his claims, Barrett had no real expertise in any medical field.
Barrett also admitted, under questioning, that he misrepresented himself as a licensed physician in a previous court case.
"These revelations cast serious doubts about Barrett's credibility and integrity and were major factors in the judge's decision," Negrete stated.
Calling the case a "landmark decision" for chiropractors and alternative care providers, Negrete noted that "Barrett has made a career out of attacking core chiropractic values, specifically subluxation, with no scientific basis for his contentions. This case clearly shows that his opinions about chiropractic or other health care options are irrelevant."
WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, DC, agreed with Negrete. "This is a turning point not only for Barrett, but for all unscientific and uninformed opponents who seek to impose the medical monopoly on the public. People around the world deserve freedom of choice in health care and need valid, unbiased and truthful information on all options available to them. Thanks in great part to the WCA legal counsel, Carlos Negrete, they now have a better chance of getting both."
The World Chiropractic Alliance — an international organization representing doctors of chiropractic — promotes traditional, drug-free and non-invasive chiropractic to correct vertebral subluxations. The WCA is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and publishes the peer-reviewed chiropractic research journal, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. For more information, contact the WCA at 800-347-1011 or http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.
The earlier lawsuit was won by chiropractor Tedd Koren, DC, whose company markets chiropractic educational pamphlets that Barrett had harshly criticized.
In his newsletter, Dr. Koren referred to the self-proclaimed "Quackbuster" as a "Quackpot" and commented that Barrett was "de-licensed," and "in trouble." Barrett sued Koren for defamation and lost the case.
Barrett, who represents himself as an expert on health care quackery, has appeared as a medical expert in numerous court cases and claims the FDA, FTC and other governmental agencies have consulted him on health care issues. He is noted for his outspoken opposition to and criticism of non-medical health care approaches, most of which he labels "quackery." His targets have included chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, and even two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling.
Heading the legal team for the original Koren case and appeal was Carlos Negrete, who serves as legal counsel for the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA).
"This is a great victory for the chiropractic profession," Koren stated after the Pennsylvania Appellate Court decision was announced. "Once again, chiropractors across the country have been vindicated and exposed the specious and evil attacks by someone who has no knowledge or expertise in our field."
Negrete specializes in representing alternative health care providers who are targeted by advocates of the medical and pharmaceutical industries. His previous court victories have positioned him as the premier "health freedom" attorney in the US.
During heated and often dramatic courtroom proceedings, Negrete pointed out many of the questionable statements Barrett includes on his websites attacking chiropractic, as well as facts about Barrett's own credentials that shocked even his supporters. Under Negrete's intense cross-examination, Barrett admitted that he had not been a licensed physician for more than a decade and had failed the neurological exam, preventing him from being certified as a specialist. Negrete demonstrated that, despite his claims, Barrett had no real expertise in any medical field.
Barrett also admitted, under questioning, that he misrepresented himself as a licensed physician in a previous court case.
"These revelations cast serious doubts about Barrett's credibility and integrity and were major factors in the judge's decision," Negrete stated.
Calling the case a "landmark decision" for chiropractors and alternative care providers, Negrete noted that "Barrett has made a career out of attacking core chiropractic values, specifically subluxation, with no scientific basis for his contentions. This case clearly shows that his opinions about chiropractic or other health care options are irrelevant."
WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, DC, agreed with Negrete. "This is a turning point not only for Barrett, but for all unscientific and uninformed opponents who seek to impose the medical monopoly on the public. People around the world deserve freedom of choice in health care and need valid, unbiased and truthful information on all options available to them. Thanks in great part to the WCA legal counsel, Carlos Negrete, they now have a better chance of getting both."
The World Chiropractic Alliance — an international organization representing doctors of chiropractic — promotes traditional, drug-free and non-invasive chiropractic to correct vertebral subluxations. The WCA is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and publishes the peer-reviewed chiropractic research journal, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. For more information, contact the WCA at 800-347-1011 or http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.
Friday, June 8, 2007
CAM = Cost Savings, High Patient Satisfaction
Patients visiting chiropractors and other holistically-oriented physicians who serve as primary care providers (PCPs) have lower utilization costs and higher patient satisfaction levels than patients treated by conventional medical doctors, according to a study published in the May issue of the "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics" that tracked data from a unique Independent Physicians Association (IPA) where chiropractors serve as first- contact, primary care physicians.
"The escalation of medical expenditures remains an urgent problem in the United States and it's becoming quite clear that cost containment strategies by conventional medical providers are failing to achieve even mediocre results," said study coauthor James Winterstein, DC. "This study confirms that integration of allopathic, chiropractic and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers can positively impact patient quality of care while limiting overall costs. This approach to patient care has great potential to improve the U.S. healthcare system."
Led by Richard Sarnat, MD, researchers directly compared cost and clinical utilization data from an integrative CAM Independent Physicians Association (IPA) with conventional medical IPA data from members enrolled in a traditional health maintenance organization (HMO). The recent report analyzes data from 2003 to 2005 and is a follow up to the original report published in 2004, which compared data from 1999 to 2002.
"Our most recent analysis supports earlier findings that patients visiting CAM-orientated primary care physicians (PCP) -- primarily chiropractors -- experienced fewer hospitalizations, underwent fewer surgeries and used considerably fewer pharmaceuticals than HMO patients who received traditional medical care," Dr. Winterstein said. "Moreover, doctors of chiropractic succeeded in diagnosing and treating patients at a level nearly equal to medical doctors."
Researchers found that over the course of the seven-year study, patients visiting chiropractors and other CAM-oriented PCPs had 60 percent fewer hospitalizations, 62 percent fewer outpatient surgical cases, and 85 percent lower pharmaceutical costs when compared with total network HMO utilization rates and costs. The chiropractors and other CAM doctors treated and managed cases ranging from upper respiratory tract infections and allergies to headaches, orthopedic and other medical conditions.
In 2005, the chiropractic PCPs managed 60 percent of their enrolled patients without requiring a referral to a conventional medical specialist. These data mirror the 2001 findings, which also demonstrated that 60 percent of the patient population within the integrative IPA was solely managed by their chiropractic PCPs.
"The most current data from our ongoing study suggests that doctors of chiropractic are well-suited to provide patients with valuable primary care services," Dr. Winterstein notes. "We have demonstrated that it is possible to deliver CAM-oriented primary care in a highly regulated environment without compromising either quality or safety."
Patients reported on the quality of care they received through the use of annual patient satisfaction surveys. On average, data from patients enrolled between 2003 and 2005 demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction (96 percent, 94 percent, and 91 percent, respectively). These findings were similar to data from 1999 through 2002 (100 percent, 89 percent, 91 percent, and 90 percent, respectively). The integrative CAM patients consistently rated their experiences more positively than did members enrolled within the HMO's conventional medical IPAs.
The "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics," the premier biomedical publication in the chiropractic profession and the official scientific journal of the American Chiropractic Association, provides the latest information on current research developments, as well as clinically oriented research and practical information for use in clinical settings.
"The escalation of medical expenditures remains an urgent problem in the United States and it's becoming quite clear that cost containment strategies by conventional medical providers are failing to achieve even mediocre results," said study coauthor James Winterstein, DC. "This study confirms that integration of allopathic, chiropractic and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers can positively impact patient quality of care while limiting overall costs. This approach to patient care has great potential to improve the U.S. healthcare system."
Led by Richard Sarnat, MD, researchers directly compared cost and clinical utilization data from an integrative CAM Independent Physicians Association (IPA) with conventional medical IPA data from members enrolled in a traditional health maintenance organization (HMO). The recent report analyzes data from 2003 to 2005 and is a follow up to the original report published in 2004, which compared data from 1999 to 2002.
"Our most recent analysis supports earlier findings that patients visiting CAM-orientated primary care physicians (PCP) -- primarily chiropractors -- experienced fewer hospitalizations, underwent fewer surgeries and used considerably fewer pharmaceuticals than HMO patients who received traditional medical care," Dr. Winterstein said. "Moreover, doctors of chiropractic succeeded in diagnosing and treating patients at a level nearly equal to medical doctors."
Researchers found that over the course of the seven-year study, patients visiting chiropractors and other CAM-oriented PCPs had 60 percent fewer hospitalizations, 62 percent fewer outpatient surgical cases, and 85 percent lower pharmaceutical costs when compared with total network HMO utilization rates and costs. The chiropractors and other CAM doctors treated and managed cases ranging from upper respiratory tract infections and allergies to headaches, orthopedic and other medical conditions.
In 2005, the chiropractic PCPs managed 60 percent of their enrolled patients without requiring a referral to a conventional medical specialist. These data mirror the 2001 findings, which also demonstrated that 60 percent of the patient population within the integrative IPA was solely managed by their chiropractic PCPs.
"The most current data from our ongoing study suggests that doctors of chiropractic are well-suited to provide patients with valuable primary care services," Dr. Winterstein notes. "We have demonstrated that it is possible to deliver CAM-oriented primary care in a highly regulated environment without compromising either quality or safety."
Patients reported on the quality of care they received through the use of annual patient satisfaction surveys. On average, data from patients enrolled between 2003 and 2005 demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction (96 percent, 94 percent, and 91 percent, respectively). These findings were similar to data from 1999 through 2002 (100 percent, 89 percent, 91 percent, and 90 percent, respectively). The integrative CAM patients consistently rated their experiences more positively than did members enrolled within the HMO's conventional medical IPAs.
The "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics," the premier biomedical publication in the chiropractic profession and the official scientific journal of the American Chiropractic Association, provides the latest information on current research developments, as well as clinically oriented research and practical information for use in clinical settings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
