Chiropractors and the field of chiropractic care have been making headlines in 2013. Some of the most important developments that this field has seen so far this year are described below.
JAMA Suggests Chiropractic Care as a Treatment for Lower Back Pain
An article posted in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) in 2013 encouraged patients to try chiropractic care as a way to treat their lower back pain. This article indicated that in most cases, surgery is not needed, and it should only be used if less invasive therapies don’t work. This information reinforced the position of the ACA that states conservative options should be used against pain as the first defense, and surgery should be used as the treatment of last possible resort.
Senate Committee Clears the Way for more Chiropractic Services at VA Facilities
In July 2013, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee introduced provisions into a bill that would improve the health care of veterans by allowing for increased availability of chiropractic care services at additional VA medical centers. The incorporation of this treatment is thought to assist the VA in transitioning veterans back into normal life after they have completed their service. This announcement came as welcome news to the Veterans Health Administration, who noted that over half of veterans who return from over seas are seen by VA medical centers for musculoskeletal ailments and their symptoms.
Lumbar Surgery Less Likely for Chiropractic Patients
Spine, a medical journal, recently released a study that indicated a strong link between avoiding surgery of the lumbar spine and chiropractic care. The ACA was encouraging of this research, as it supported the philosophy of the ACA that chiropractic can serve as a conservative and less expensive lower back pain approach. One of the most impressive findings was that only 1.5% of patients who saw a chiropractor first ended up needing to have lumbar surgery.
Visit our chiropractor in Conyers for more information about back pain treatments.