Chiropractic Care

A Framework For Chiropractic Training In Clinical Preventive Services

By Frank M. Painter|August 25, 2013|Chiropractic Care, Prevention|

A Framework For Chiropractic Training In Clinical Preventive Services

Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2013 (Aug 20); 21: 28

Cheryl Hawk and Marion Willard Evans

Cheryl Hawk cheryl.hawk@logan.edu
Logan College of Chiropractic, 1851 Schoettler Rd, 63017 Chesterfield, MO, USA

The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides incentives for both patients and providers to engage in evidence-based clinical preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Depending upon the application of the new health care act, Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) may be considered to be covered providers of many of these services. It is therefore essential that DCs’ training prepare them to competently deliver them. The aim of this commentary is to describe a framework for training in clinical preventive services, based largely on the USPSTF recommendations, which could be readily integrated into existing DC educational programs.

From the Full-Text Article:

Background

The necessity for preventive care

The United States, despite spending more money on health care than any other country, has a population with shorter life expectancy and greater morbidity than any other wealthy nation [1]. The areas in which the U.S. lags behind its 16 peer nations are all lifestyle-related to a great degree [1]. Clearly this situation requires an approach that engages people in modifying their health behavior, as early as possible, rather than relying on heroic measures once conditions have become chronic and life-threatening. That approach is systematically addressed in the science of health promotion and disease prevention, often simply called “prevention” or “preventive care”. [2]

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Chiropractic Cost-Effectiveness Supplement

By Frank M. Painter|August 17, 2013|Chiropractic Care, Chronic Pain, Cost-Effectiveness, Low Back Pain|

Chiropractic Cost-Effectiveness Supplement

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Virginia Chiropractic Association

The following studies detail the cost effectiveness and overall efficacy of chiropractic care, and the procedures that doctors of chiropractic provide their patients.

This presentation is divided into several parts:

Background studies, detailing that LBP is much more complex than the literature leads us to believe;
Cost-Effectiveness Studies;
Worker’s Compensation Studies (National studies) and
Worker’s Compensation Studies (State specific studies)

GENERAL BACKGROUND STUDIES:

Prognosis in Patients with Recent Onset Low Back Pain in Australian Primary Care: Inception Cohort Study
British Medical Journal 2008 (Jul 7); 337: a171 ~ FULL TEXT

This study contradicts the Clinical Practice Guidelines that maintain that recovery from acute low back pain is usually rapid and complete. Their findings with 973 consecutive primary care patients was that recovery was slow for most patients, and almost 1/3 of patients did not recover within one year (when following standard medical recommendations).

This study was designed to determine the one year prognosis of patients with low back pain. 973 patients with low back pain that had lasted less than 2 weeks completed a baseline questionnaire. Patients were reassessed through a phone interview at six weeks, three months and 12 months. The study found that the prognosis claimed in clinical guidelines was more favorable than the actual prognosis for the patients in the study. Recovery was slow for most patients and almost 1/3 of patients did not recover within one year.

Low Back Pain In A General Population. Natural Course And Influence Of Physical Exercise–A 5-Year Follow-Up
Spine. 2006 (Dec 15); 31 (26): 3045-51

This study contradicts the common belief that low back pain will extinguish with simple core exercises. This study provided significant benefits for only 1 out of 5 LPB sufferers. Researchers followed 790 patients who initially sought care for low back pain from 70 different caregivers. After 5 years, only 21% of patients studied reported no continued pain while only 37% reported no disability. Pain and disability scores dropped significantly at 6 months, then remained flat at 2 yrs and 5 yrs. Nonspecific regular exercise did not affect recovery. Between 27% and 66% of the study population experienced a recurrence of low back pain.

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Bulletproof Your Documentation

By Frank M. Painter|July 13, 2013|Chiropractic Care, Documentation|

Bulletproof Your Documentation

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Chiropractic Economics

By Kathy Mills Chang

Part 1: Ensure your admitting and ongoing paperwork isn’t slipping through the cracks

Because of the many different techniques and philosophies involved in chiropractic, you can be assured different doctors utilize different admitting and ongoing paperwork.

A recent survey of 80 chiropractors revealed that 72 percent of them collected paperwork for their clinic from various sources, creating a patchwork effect. Because very few utilized an actual system of paperwork, they admitted concern that some documentation could fall through the cracks.

So, what paperwork should you have in your office?

History

Most state chiropractic boards that have a standard of care for patients include taking patient history. If one were to follow the evaluation and management documentation guidelines, history is a significant portion of the value.

Because the requirements entail collecting information about the chief complaint; the history of the present illness; a review of systems; and the patient’s past, family, and social history, there is a substantial amount of information that can and should come from the patient.

Having information laid out in a clear fashion on your admitting paperwork allows the patient to answer the majority of the essential initial consultation questions. Using your admitting paperwork as a template allows you to ensure the required bullet points will be answered by the patient and reviewed by the physician.

There are many more articles like this @ our:

Chiropractic Assistant Page

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The Prevalence and Progression of Neck and Back Pain in Children Over Time

By Frank M. Painter|July 3, 2013|Chiropractic Care, Neck Pain, Pediatrics|

The Prevalence and Progression of Neck and Back Pain in Children Over Time

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Musculoskelet Disord. 2011 (May 16); 12: 98

Per Kjaer, Niels Wedderkopp, Lars Korsholm,
and Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde

Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics,
Part of Clinical Locomotion Network,
University of Southern Denmark,
Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Odense, Denmark

The following article appears to be the first study to track and review the progression of back pain in the same group of children, over a prolonged period, to see how (or if) it is a contributor to those same complains in adulthood.

Of particular interest is Table 2, because it breaks down and tracks complaints of either neck, mid back, or low back pain in the same group of children at 3 different time periods: ages 9, 13 and 15 years old.

Table 2: Prevalence rates of different types of back pain in a cohort of Danish children/adolescents surveyed at three time points

Age Group	Age 9	Age 13	Age 15
Neck Pain
All children Boys Girls	10%9%11%	7%5%9%	15%13%18%
Mid Back Pain
All children Boys Girls	20%22%19%	13%13%13%	28%22%32%
Low Back Pain
All children Boys Girls	33%32%34%	28%26%30%	48%39%54%

The Abstract:

BACKGROUND: It is generally acknowledged that back pain (BP) is a common condition already in childhood. However, the development until early adulthood is not well understood and, in particular, not the individual tracking pattern. The objectives of this paper are to show the prevalence estimates of BP, low back pain (LBP), mid back pain (MBP), neck pain (NP), and care-seeking because of BP at three different ages (9, 13 and 15 years) and how the BP reporting tracks over these age groups over three consecutive surveys.

METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was carried out from the years of 1997 till 2005, collecting interview data from children who were sampled to be representative of Danish schoolchildren. BP was defined overall and specifically in the three spinal regions as having reported pain within the past month. The prevalence estimates and the various patterns of BP reporting over time are presented as percentages.

RESULTS: Of the 771 children sampled, 62%, 57%, and 58% participated in the three back surveys and 34% participated in all three. The prevalence estimates for children at the ages of 9, 13, and 15, respectively, were for BP 33%, 28%, and 48%; for LBP 4%, 22%, and 36%; for MBP 20%, 13%, and 35%; and for NP 10%, 7%, and 15%. Seeking care for BP increased from 6% and 8% at the two youngest ages to 34% at the oldest. Only 7% of the children who participated in all three surveys reported BP each time and 30% of these always reported no pain. The patterns of development differed for the three spinal regions and between genders. Status at the previous survey predicted status at the next survey, so that those who had pain before were more likely to report pain again and vice versa. This was most pronounced for care-seeking.

CONCLUSION: It was confirmed that BP starts early in life, but the patterns of onset and development over time vary for different parts of the spine and between genders. Because of these differences, it is recommended to report on BP in youngsters separately for the three spinal regions, and to differentiate in the analyses between the genders and age groups. Although only a small minority reported BP at two or all three surveys, tracking of BP (particularly NP) and care seeking was noted from one survey to the other. On the positive side, individuals without BP at a previous survey were likely to remain pain free at the subsequent survey.

Background

It is well known that back pain (BP) is a common and costly problem in the general population. Previously, BP in children was considered rare and a sign of a potentially serious disorder [1,2]. Today, according to a recent systematic review, the general opinion would be that BP, including low back pain (LBP), mid back pain (MBP) and neck pain (NP), starts already early in life to accelerate during the early teens up till early adulthood [3] and that its presence in young age is a precursor for BP also in adulthood [4]. In order to approach the issues of prevention and treatment it is helpful to understand the extent and course of a disease, particularly around the time of its onset and that picture is, presently, far from clear. Methodological and definition issues can partly explain this [3]. However, this is also a question of the study objectives and design. It is therefore not surprising that the estimates from various studies vary and that often they make no sense. Also, there appears to be no credible data on the true incidence for each spinal region in young people.

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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treated by Spinal Manipulation: A Case Study

By Frank M. Painter|June 22, 2013|Chiropractic Care, Scoliosis|

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treated by Spinal Manipulation: A Case Study

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: J Altern Complement Med. 2008 (Jul); 14 (6): 749–751

Kao-Chang Chen, Elley H.H. Chiu

Division of Acupuncture and Chinese Traumatology, Department of TCM, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.

OBJECTIVE: This report of one case illustrates the potential effect of chiropractic manipulative therapy on back pain and curve progression in the at-risk, skeletally immature patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A 15-year-old girl experienced right thoracic scoliosis for 4 years. She received regular (medical) rehabilitation and brace treatment for 4 years, but the curvature of the thoracic spine still progressed. The Cobb angle was 46 degrees and surgical intervention was suggested to prevent significant deformity, which may be accompanied by cardiopulmonary compromise.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: This patient was treated with spinal manipulation two times per week for 6 weeks at the outset, which was gradually decreased in frequency. After 18 months of consecutive treatment, follow-up radiographs and examinations were conducted. The Cobb angle decreased by 16 degrees. Meanwhile, the patient’s lower backache eased and there was also an improvement in defecation frequency, which had been problematic.

Learn more about Scoliosis @ our:

Scoliosis and Chiropractic Page

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Early Adolescent Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Injury: A Case Study

By Frank M. Painter|June 20, 2013|Chiropractic Care, Disc Injury, Pediatrics|

Early Adolescent Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Injury: A Case Study

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2013 (Apr 26); 21: 13

Chris T Carter, Lyndon G Amorin-Woods and Arockia Doss

School of Health Professions,
Murdoch University,
Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia

This article describes and discusses the case of an adolescent male with lumbar intervertebral disc injury characterized by chronic low back pain (LBP) and antalgia. A 13-year-old boy presented for care with a complaint of chronic LBP and subsequent loss of quality of life. The patient was examined and diagnosed by means of history, clinical testing and use of imaging. He had showed failure in natural history and conservative management relief in both symptomatic and functional improvement, due to injury to the intervertebral joints of his lower lumbar spine. Discogenic LBP in the young adolescent population must be considered, particularly in cases involving even trivial minor trauma, and in those in which LBP becomes chronic. More research is needed regarding long-term implications of such disc injuries in young people, and how to best conservatively manage these patients. A discussion of discogenic LBP pertaining to adolescent disc injury is included.

The Full-Text Article:

Background

LBP in children and adolescence is an important and increasing problem, and prevalence increases with age [1]. Systematic review and meta-analysis studies of LBP in adolescence found mean LBP point prevalence and one-year prevalence for adolescents to be around 12%, and 33% respectively [2,3]. Watson et al. [4] reported a one month period prevalence of 24% in schoolchildren aged 11–14 years in northwest England. Historically considered as trivial and non-limiting, LBP in this age-group may have both immediate and long-term consequences for an important proportion of those affected [4]. Risk factors have been debated, although ergonomics of school furniture, school bag weight and mechanics, trauma, history of scoliosis, and involvement of strenuous physical activity may be associative or causative factors in young persons with LBP [5]. There is also increasing evidence that psychological and psychosocial factors may play a significant influence in the aetiology of LBP in this age group [6, 7].

There are many more articles like this in our:

Chiropractic Pediatrics Section

You will also enjoy our:

Disc Herniation and Chiropractic Page

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