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This week’s Friday Five looks at how chiropractic care is advancing and becoming more accepted by five key groups: Veterans, employers, consumers, athletes and seniors. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) is a not-for-profit organization that informs and educates the general public about the value of chiropractic care and its role in drug-free pain management.
VETERANS
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now provides chiropractic care at 40 major VA treatment facilities within the United States. There is currently an effort to require the VA to provide chiropractic care to all its medical treatment centers by the end of 2020. In January 2018, President Trump signed into law the Job for Our Heroes Act, which includes a provision allowing VA doctors of chiropractic (DCs) to perform physical exams on veterans needing a medical certificate to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
What Is Chiropractic? – https://t.co/bbuKLR4MN8
— Chiro.org (@chiroorg) November 25, 2017
EMPLOYERS
In December, the non-profit National Association of Worksite Health Centers (NAWHC) released the results of a study examining the use of doctors of chiropractic as part of clinical teams. The majority of employers (55 percent) said their employees have expressed interest in chiropractic services at their clinics. “As employer-managed health care becomes more prevalent with on-site health and wellness centers, we are seeing a greater interest by employers in expanding the service line to include chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal conditions and reduce the use and cost of unnecessary opioids and surgeries,” said Larry Boress, NAWHC executive director.
National Association of Worksite Health Centers Releases Research on Use and Potential Value of Doctors of Chiropractic in Employer Worksite Clinics: CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The NAWHC is releasing the results examining the existing and future use and… https://t.co/pTfuJ4cwNr pic.twitter.com/IAs6z5lfFR — Business Wire-Health (@BW_Health) December 13, 2017
CONSUMERS
Chiropractic use is trending among U.S. adults.
Based on an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), chiropractic is used by one in four adults. In addition, 54 million adults in the US have consulted a doctor of chiropractic for back pain (63 percent) and neck pain (30 percent).
Click on the infographic to display.
SENIORS
Lower back pain is a common complaint among seniors. According to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, roughly half a million Medicare beneficiaries receive high amounts of opioids, with nearly 90,000 of those at “serious risk” from medications. The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends trying non-drug treatments, including chiropractic care, before drug therapies. Today, 94 percent of spinal manipulations are performed by a doctor of chiropractic.
Chiropractic care offers patients a safe approach to spine and joint-related pain as they get older. #ThinkChiropractic pic.twitter.com/y6YVvNGY2J
— F4CP (@F4CP) January 8, 2018
ATHLETES
Dr. Ken Kaufman, doctor of chiropractic for the Baltimore Orioles, is helping build awareness of opioid dangers and chiropractic solutions. These well-established and safe modalities provide a solution for patients and will prevent opening the door to dangerous and addictive drugs. All 32 National Football League (NFL) teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, employ doctors of chiropractic to boost performance and maintain optimal health and well-being.
Did you know that all NFL teams and most professional sports teams have Chiropractors on their medical staff? #Chiropractor #sports pic.twitter.com/JuC3hxgnq5 — Chiro Economics (@ChiroEcoMag) January 15, 2018
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives.
