Provider Choice and Future Low Back Pain-Related Costs

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health issue that affects most adults at least once in their lifetime. For many, LBP may become a chronic issue that can significantly affect their ability to work and carry out normal activities of daily living. While chiropractic care serves as an excellent front-line treatment for LBP, seeing a doctor of chiropractic first can save a patient and their insurer from future healthcare expenditures involving medications, advanced imaging, surgery, and adverse effects that can result from these services.

Advanced imaging such as MRI are often used to confirm a diagnosis, and in many cases, the findings can save lives. However, when it comes to low back pain, unnecessary imaging can lead to immediate costs and treatment that may not resolve the patient’s LBP and may place them at risk for harm. In 2018, researchers conducted a chart review of 313 patients referred for MRI and found that 130 imaging requests were unnecessary, which corresponded to a previous 2014 study that found 46.7% of MRI for LBP are inappropriate. A 2012 study that looked at data from the Washington State Worker’s Compensation system found that about 1 in 5 workers with LBP underwent an MRI within six weeks of their injury. Those who first went to a chiropractor were half as likely to be referred to MRI while those who first visited a surgeon were 78% more likely to receive advanced imaging.

Patients with chronic low back pain are often prescribed opioids. In a 2022 study that looked at long-term outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with new-onset low back pain, researchers observed that those who visited a chiropractor first were 2.2 times less likely to be prescribed opioids within the following four years. Prolonged opioid use can lead to addiction, overdose, and death. Therefore, visiting a chiropractor first can be a safer and more effective alternative to opioids.

If you’re experiencing low back pain, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. William Morgan at Morgan Chiropractic. Dr. Morgan has years of experience in treating patients with LBP and can help you recover from your pain. You can schedule an appointment by visiting Morgan Chiropractic’s website.