The Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care for Accident Injuries
Automobile accidents are unexpected and unfortunate events that often result in traumatic injuries and create a devastating impact on people and families. The effects of an auto accident may impact victims’ lives in a number of ways, including increased stress, pain, injuries, and medical and financial problems. Treatment may not only become difficult, but it also can be very expensive. Chiropractic care is considered to be one of the most effective ways to treat auto accident injuries, and in addition to its effectiveness, chiropractic treatment is significantly more cost-effective.
A number of studies have concluded that chiropractic treatment of accident injuries was more effective than other treatment methods. In addition to the higher success rate, the studies also showed a significant difference in costs incurred in chiropractic and conventional treatments. An analysis of Florida Workers’ Compensation Medical Claims for Back Related Injuries indicates the treatment cost was about 58% lower in the case of chiropractic treatment as compared to the other treatment methods. In addition to lower costs, patients’ disability duration was over 51% shorter than those who received chiropractic treatment.
In a cost-per-case analysis of Utah Industrial Back injury claims in 1988, the average compensation cost paid out to the medical doctors was $668.39, whereas the average compensation cost paid to the patients who got the chiropractic treatment was only $68.38.
In a 1992 Australian study, it was noted that patients receiving chiropractic treatment for their injuries were seen 75% less frequently than those who were treated with medication and other types of medical treatment. Costs of care for patients treated with chiropractic were only 1/4 the costs of the comparative medical care.
As illustrated in several studies all over the world, chiropractic treatment has been consistently found to be the most cost-effective treatment with the shorter disability periods of auto accident victims.
If you have been in an accident and have pain, even if it is minor, consult with a doctor who has experience treating accident injuries. Our professional staff has over 20 years of experience in managing Personal Injury cases.
Author: Dr. Gary Robertson is a 1989 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has over 20 years of experience treating patients with accident injuries and has post-graduate training in Whiplash and Spinal Trauma, Spinal Biomechanics, and Spinal Rehabilitation. Dr Robertson serves as the President of the Dade County Chiropractic Society.
