Once again, a third-party independent study has confirmed what chiropractic physicians have been saying for years…Chiropractic care reduces costs and gets injured workers back to work quicker than traditional medical treatments alone. The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) published the study in May 2022 as evidence that chiropractic care is safe and beneficial for low back pain resulting from workplace injuries…and their findings are impressive. In this post, we’ll deep dive into the statistics hammered out by this study and talk about what this could mean for access to chiropractic services.
2 million
That’s how many workers’ compensation claims the study looked at. The claims were submitted across 28 different states from October 2015 to September 2017. Severe cases requiring emergent (read: expensive) care were removed from the study sample.
$3,112
Indemnity savings per claim on workers’ compensation claims being treated exclusively with chiropractic care versus traditional medical treatments.
$2,156
Average savings, per claim, on workers’ compensation claims for low back pain injuries treated exclusively with chiropractic services versus traditional medical treatments.
1%
The percentage of low back pain claims being treated with chiropractic care that was prescribed opioids for pain management. That’s compared to a whopping 10.3% of claims that were not treated with chiropractic services, receiving these narcotics. With our nation in the grips of a devastating opioid epidemic, this may be the most important statistic that came from this study.
Why Does This Study Matter?
Here at Florida Injury & Wellness Center, we know the life-changing benefits and healing of chiropractic care. Now we just need the public, policymakers, and insurance administrators to see it too. Studies like this one add a layer of credibility to claims from the chiropractic industry about chiropractic care’s ability to reduce expenses while improving patient outcomes. While critics tend to cast doubt on studies funded by chiropractic advocates, studies like this one from a source completely separate from the industry are harder to discredit.
In the face of mounting evidence, we continue to push for the normalization of chiropractic care in American culture. While interest from the public rises consistently, responsiveness from those who control insurance coverage policies has been at a snail’s pace. We need more studies like this one to prove to these decision makers that chiropractic care is a legitimate, effective, and fiscally sound treatment modality. As insurance companies add chiropractic coverage to their plans, more and more people will be financially able to receive the health benefits of regular chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care for Workers’ Compensation Claims in Wesley Chapel
If you’ve been hurt at work and need relief from the pain and loss of function, Florida Injury & Wellness Center is here to help. We have two convenient locations – in Wesley Chapel and Tampa – to serve you for your workers’ compensation claim, right where you need it. Call 813-437-1587 or contact us online to set up an appointment today.
