DGG

Degenerative disc disease refers to any condition where the spinal discs are degenerating or degrading, often causing back pain. This interactive video provides information on spinal anatomy and how degenerative disc disease affects the vertebrae and spinal discs. It also gives an in-depth overview of symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/degenerative-disc-disease-interactive-video

Degenerative Disk Disease

Degenerative disc disease refers to any condition where the spinal discs are degenerating or degrading, often causing back pain. This interactive video provides information on spinal anatomy and how degenerative disc disease affects the vertebrae and spinal discs. It also gives an in-depth overview of symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/degenerative-disc-disease-interactive-video

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain, and also one of the most misunderstood. Many patients diagnosed with low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease are left wondering exactly what this diagnosis means for them. Learn what you can expect to experience moving forward after your initial diagnosis.

Featured Article:
What is Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment for Low Back Pain
Although degenerative disc disease can cause lower back pain symptoms over a long period of time, the good news is that the pain is usually manageable with various nonsurgical treatment options, including exercise, massage, and chiropractic. Learn More…

Living with Degenerative Disc Disease
Learn the key components of a self-care program you can undertake to manage the pain of degenerative disc disease, including components such as pain reduction, exercise and rehabilitation, behavior modifications, and nutrition. Learn More…

Deciding on Surgery for Degenerative Disc Disease
If ongoing severe, disabling pain from degenerative disc disease and associated symptoms (e.g., numbness, tingling, difficulty sitting), it is sometimes not possible to wait for non-surgical therapy to work, and surgery may be your next course of action. Learn More…

Back Pain: Chiropractic vs. Medical Doctors

Back Pain:

Chiropractic vs. Medical Doctors

Who Get Better Results and Who is More Cost Effective?

Chiropractic Proves 300% more effective

Chiropractic Proves 50% More Cost Effective

BY: Donald Capoferri DC, DAAMLP

William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP

Mark Studin DC, FASBE(C), DAAMLP, DAAPM

In 2010 a study of back pain patients insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee revealed patients receive nearly 3x better results at almost half the cost when consulting a chiropractor instead of a traditional medical doctor.

Statistics show that back pain, and more specifically lower back pain will affect 70-80% of all Americans.  Back pain is one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.  Costs directly associated with examination and treatment are in excess $50 billion dollars per year.  Indirect cost of back pain include lost work day, reduced employee productivity and disability are $47 billion dollars.  That makes the total economic impact of lower back pain in excess of $97 billion dollars per year.

The study was conducted on 85,402 patients, all insured with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.  This insurer was chosen because it provided equal access to both traditional medical and chiropractic care. The population of patients were diagnosed with the following conditions: Spinal disc disorders, Lower back pain, muscle spasms, joint mobility restrictions, Sacroiliac joint sprain/strain and lumbar spine sprain/strain.  The results of the study revealed those patients who initiated care with a chiropractor had a 61% “very satisfied response” when surveyed.  Those patient who initiated care with a medical doctor had a 27% “very satisfied response.” The patients who initiated care with a chiropractor incurred 40% less cost than those choosing traditional medical care.

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that chiropractic care is more effective and less costly than medical care for back pain.  In contrast to this and many other studies indicating the efficacy of chiropractic care for back pain, only 7% of U.S. back pain sufferers consult a chiropractor.  Using the data from this study insurers nationally would realize billions of dollar of savings if the population of back pain patients initiated care with a chiropractor first. 

Insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care at this juncture with statistical evidence, are paying more for care and delaying necessary, effective care for no apparent reason other than politics or prejudice. If all restrictions for chiropractic access were removed carriers would save money and offer a significant public health benefit. The statistics speak for themselves.

Reference:

Liliedahl R., Finch M., Axene D., Geertz C., (2010) Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated with Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician:  Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insure, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 33 (9) pgs. 640-643

Herniated Disk - VIDEO

A herniated disc occurs when the disc degenerates and the inner core leaks out. It can be treated through chiropractic manipulation. This video explains what is a lumbar herniated disc, and gives visuals on what happens inside the spine.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/lumbar-herniated-disc-video

Degenerative disk disease (with interactive video)

Degenerative disc disease refers to any condition where the spinal discs are degenerating or degrading, often causing back pain. This interactive video provides information on spinal anatomy and how degenerative disc disease affects the vertebrae and spinal discs. It also gives an in-depth overview of symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/degenerative-disc-disease-interactive-video