These days, we’re all accustomed to hearing about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare. You might even assume that these rising costs are inevitable, and there is nothing we can do about it. Luckily, that’s not true. Everything from a healthier diet to policy changes within government affects the cost of healthcare, and now it appears as though chiropractic care can also play a role.

In 2019, research published in the Journal of Chiropractic Humanities* compared the cost of standard medicare care with that of chiropractic care. The results might interest those who are looking for ways to reduce their overall healthcare spending. Patients whose healthcare plans included coverage for chiropractic care experienced lower overall healthcare costs than those whose plans did not offer coverage.

In fact, data from Blue Cross Blue Shield showed that patients who first sought chiropractic care for their complaints saved an average of 40 percent annually over patients who went straight to non-chiropractic medical care.

We can surmise that the chiropractic patients ended up happier with their outcomes, too. Those who sought chiropractic treatment were 60 percent less likely to end up with spinal surgeries, and reported more favorable outcomes of their treatments.

Not only was the cost of treatment lower for these patients; successful treatment for their pain helped many to avoid the need for potentially addictive prescription painkillers. In light of the opioid epidemic, the effectiveness of chiropractic care for pain management is good news for all of us.

If you experience an accident, injury, or chronic pain, come see us first. In many cases we can address your symptoms and alleviate pain, so that you can avoid prescription drugs, surgery, and all of the risks and costs associated with those options.

*Journal of Chiropractic Humanities December 2019
“Cost-Efficiency and Effectiveness of Including Doctors of Chiropractic to Offer Treatment Under Medicaid: A Critical Appraisal of Missouri Inclusion of Chiropractic Under Missouri Medicaid.”
John R McGowan, Leonard Suiter