Many individuals who have experienced back pain and sought relief by seeing a chiropractor have come away with mixed reviews. Some patients rave about the healing effects of chiropractic therapies while others report leaving the experience in more pain. Today, we’re going to review some of the pros and cons of seeing a local Santa Monica chiropractor for back pain.
Chiropractors are Affordable
Generally, the cost of seeing a chiropractor is significantly less than a traditional doctor’s office visit. If a patient lacks adequate insurance coverage and the treatments offered by their practitioner are helping relieve their back pain, the cost of effective care can be reasonable.
Insurance Difficulties
Some insurance plans cover the costs of chiropractic care while many do not. Since the practice tends to rest on the border between traditional and alternative medicine, its care is not always viewed as legitimate by insurance companies. Unfortunately, many people whose only refuge from pain can be found with its treatments may have to pay for the bills on their own.
It Offers Some Patients Help
Many people who have lived with back pain for a long time and have been unable to alleviate their discomfort with traditional treatments and medications, find relief after seeking chiropractic care. Many patients have reported that they have been able to function without pain pills after being under the care of a chiropractor.
Lack of Supporting Research
One negative drawback of chiropractic care is that many of the therapies and techniques that are used in the practice have very little or no research to back up their efficacy. Whether or not patients are experiencing real relief from sessions, or they are experiencing a placebo effect is yet to be determined.
Holistic Care
Except for doctors of osteopathy, most traditionally trained doctors’ education is based on specific ailments and body systems. Chiropractors treat the person as a whole being whose different elements physically, mentally and spiritually work together to promote wellness.
For some patients, regular sessions with a professional chiropractor will not be enough to help minimize or alleviate pain. When this is the case, the individual may have to seek a referral for a spinal specialist or orthopedic surgeon in Santa Monica. If you are living with back or neck pain that has not responded to non-surgical methods and would like to schedule an in-person consultation with one of the board-certified surgeons from The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration to determine if you are a good candidate for spine surgery, call 310-828-7757.