National Chiropractic Health Month

During National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) this fall, Doctors Mandy Wyant, Justin Beckner, Chelsea DeVillez and Nicole Palmer of Family Chiropractic and Wellness, along with doctors of chiropractic (DCs) nationwide will educate patients about the value of a “conservative care first” approach to health care, which encourages exhausting non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical treatments for pain management and health enhancement before moving on to other options.

Why is “conservative care first” more important today than ever in facing our nation’s healthcare challenges?

• Numerous recent studies have clearly shown the dangerous over reliance in the U.S. on prescription painkillers that simply mask pain, but do not cure. This has tremendously increased Americans’ risk for overuse, and abuse, of these drugs if taken for long periods, leading to over 17,000 related deaths in 2010 (more than heroin and cocaine combined). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls the abuse of prescription pain medications an “epidemic.”
• Recent reports question the overuse–and in some cases effectiveness–of more invasive treatments such as spinal fusion surgery and spinal steroid injections for back pain. It makes sense for patients to exhaust more conservative options before undergoing these costly procedures.
• DCs are the highest-rated healthcare practitioner for low-back pain treatments with their patient-centered, whole person approach that provides greater interaction and listening for appropriate diagnosis and developing more cost-effective treatment planning.

“During National Chiropractic Health Month we’re reminding patients to ask about conservative treatment options when weighing their health care choices,” says Dr. Wyant. “Chiropractic treatment is a much safer and cost-effective option for back and neck pain and may reduce the need for unnecessary drugs and surgery.”

Hosted by the American Chiropractic Association, National Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance held each October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.