3 Ways Chiropractic Can Impact the Public Health System
By Chris Brown
In 2018, following a clinical shadowing of four international environments, upper-level chiropractic students met to identify three main ways in which chiropractic could be better utilized in the U.S. public health sector. While its high efficacy on musculoskeletal conditions gives it a natural niche for enhancing the arsenal of the public health system, the students also found that greater incorporation of chiropractic could expand medical access with a higher emphasis on preventative care.
Provide More Specialized Care of Musculoskeletal Conditions
Chiropractic is the reigning king of diagnosing and directly treating the source cause of many musculoskeletal conditions. As mainstream medicine exists now, musculoskeletal conditions (especially those of the spine) are treated primarily with invasive surgery, addictive medications, or limited physical therapy. Chiropractic's ability to locate and immediately correct joint dysfunctions throughout the body's entire kinetic chain makes it a potentially invaluable addition to the public health system. Also, because chiropractic corrects dysfunctions which haven't yet manifested in pain, but which will progress if left untreated, regular chiropractic care can exponentially reduce the impact of future chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Greater Access to Health Services and Early Diagnosis
The cost-effective nature of chiropractic, when compared to mainstream medicine, makes it an ideal medical contact point for those with limited financial means. These patients may otherwise not visit a medical professional, over fear of high charges, until the condition reaches a severe point. Greater incorporation of chiropractic has the potential to greatly expand health service access nationwide. If a condition presents that is beyond the scope of the chiropractor's office, they can refer the patient to a specialist for further testing and diagnosis. Early recognition of a condition by a chiropractor improves the chances for a positive patient outcome and may even save their life.
Prioritize Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention
Whereas mainstream medicine often focuses on post-injury treatment, chiropractic is a holistic practice prioritizing entire body maintenance and disease/injury prevention. In addition to physical joint adjustments, chiropractors are trained to provide lifestyle tips based upon what they find during their evaluation. Perhaps a poor posture at work is showing the initial signs of tech neck syndrome. Correcting an issue early, prevents more serious conditions and symptoms from developing. The chiropractic students in the survey pointed out how educating patients prevents their conditions from developing and removes a future patient load from the public health system, saving it money and resources in the long run.
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To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenville, S.C.