Choosing Wisely to Avoid Wasteful and Unnessary Medical Treatments and Tests

The American Board of Internal Medicine along with Consumer Reports has created the Choosing Wisely Initiative to advance a national dialogue on avoiding wasteful or unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures. The American Chiropractic Association has joined nearly 100 health groups in supporting this initiative.
According to the Institute of Medicine, up to 30 percent of health care spending is duplicative or unnecessary. This translates to hundreds of billions of dollars wasted every year in our country.
Has anyone had unneccessary or duplicate treatment or testing?

Choosing Wisely

A comprehensive guide to the new science of treating lower back pain

Great article on the current science concerning treatment of low back disorders. Drug therapy, injections, and many spinal surgeries has been found to be much less effective than previously thought and can have very significant side effects. 
It is commonly stated that it unfortunately takes on average 15 years for new scientific methods to become part of standard medical practice, so do not expect most medical practitioners to change their practice habits any time soon. 
So it is important for you to educate yourself so you can get effective safe research based treatments for your low back and spinal disorders including sciatica and spinal stenosis.
Are you aware of the new practice guidelines?

A comprehensive guide to the new science of treating lower back pain

Ohio Work Comp Clamps Down on Spine Surgery

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has issued a rule change regarding payment for lumbar fusion surgery, effective Jan. 1, 2018, that in most cases only authorizes surgery after the injured worker has received at least 60 days of conservative care for low back pain. 
This was done after several of their data studies found fusion patients suffered considerably worse outcomes than non-fusion patients. The conservative care can consist of chiropractic or physical therapy or other non surgical treatments.
Do you think this is a good new policy?

Ohio Work Comp Clamps Down on Spine Surgery

House Advances Pro-Chiropractic Bill to Boost Ranks of Certified Medical Examiners

The house of representatives overwhelming advances bi-partisan pro-chiropractic bill to boost ranks of certified medical examiners who examine veterans to drive trucks.
Truck drivers are required to get medical examinations by certified medical examiners to determine if there are any medical conditions that could lead to unsafe driving. I am a DOT certified medical examiner and it is good to see this service opened up to other medical providers who work at VA facilities as it will make it easier for veterans to get their driving cetification.
Do you think this is a good piece of legislation?
House Advances Pro-Chiropractic Bill to Boost Ranks of DOT Certified Medical Examiners

FDA proposes that doctors learn about acupuncture for pain management

The Food and Drug Administration released proposed changes Wednesday to its blueprint on educating health care providers about treating pain. The guidelines now recommend that doctors get information about chiropractic care and acupuncture as therapies that might help patients avoid prescription opioids.
Do you think this is a good recommendation to help patients avoid opioid (narcotic drugs)?

FDA proposes that doctors learn about chiropractic and acupuncture for pain management

The Better Way to Get Back Pain Relief

Consumer Reports survey of 3,562 back-pain sufferers found that more than 80 percent of those who had tried yoga or tai chi or had seen a massage therapist or chiropractor said it had helped them.
Growing research shows that a combination of hands-on therapies and other nondrug measures can be just as effective as more traditional forms of back care, including drugs and surgery. And they’re much safer.
In February the American College of Physicians—which represents primary care doctors, the providers people consult most often for a backache—issued new guidelines for back-pain treatment, saying that the first line of defense should be nondrug measures.
Has anyone seen this Consumer Reports article?

The Better Way to Get Back Pain Relief

For Bad Backs, It May Be Time to Rethink Biases About Chiropractors

Here is another article based on the new guidelines from the American College of Physicians ( national organization of the medical internal medicine physicians) which recommends non drug treatments such as spinal maniplution and exercise therapy as the first options for back pain. This article written by a medical physician reviews the research showing that spinal manipulation (adjustment) is an effective and safe treatment for low back pain.
Does it seem surprising that a national medical organizaiton is recommending non drug therapies as a first step of treatment?

For Bad Backs, It May Be Time to Rethink Biases About Chiropractors