Healthcare has been evolving over the last decade to become more patient centered and efficient. The driving force behind these changes is to increase positive outcomes for patients and to reduce the overall cost of care those patients incur. One such modification to the healthcare status quo has been the push towards integrated medicine. The World Health Organization defines integrated medicine as "a concept bringing together inputs, delivery, management and organization of services related to diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation and health promotion. Integration is a means to improve services in relation to access, quality, user satisfaction and efficiency." Integrating healthcare is meant to reduce costs by bringing healthcare practitioners together and to better manage care between providers. This means less referrals, less unnecessary emergency room visits, and ultimately, better and more efficient healthcare for the consumer.

Here at Excellence in Health Chiropractic we are committed to the integrative model of healthcare delivery. We will work on your behalf to ensure your care is delivered efficiently without the need for excessive referrals and consultations with countless providers in the pursuit of care for your musculoskeletal pain. We are able to accomplish this goal by having a contemporary healthcare facility equipped with digital x-ray equipment, a full physiotherapy suite, ultrasound and other electro-modalities, and modern intermittent traction tables. Our highly-trained massage therapists receive advanced training in myofascial release techniques and other cutting edge soft tissue management therapies. We are the only gold certified myofascial release technique clinic. When referrals are necessary, we work with you to set-up appointments and continue to manage your case with the referred provider.

A recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics demonstrates that seeing a Doctor of Chiropractic for your neck, back, hip, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal complaints reduces costs and increases positive outcomes from care (Houweling et al., 2015). The study followed 719 patients with musculoskeletal complaints, such as neck and back pain, for 4 months. About half of the followed patients initiated care with an MD and the other half initiated care with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). The researchers looked at 3 different outcomes from care at the 4-month follow-up: pain reduction, patient satisfaction with the care provided, and the overall cost of care. The results of this study are very exciting. The researchers found that patients that initiated care with a Doctor of Chiropractic had less pain, more satisfaction from the care provided, and incurred less costs than patients that initiated care with an MD. The researchers attributed increased patient satisfaction not only with the better results and reduced costs, but because patients seeing a Chiropractor required less referrals to other offices and other providers than the patients seeing an MD. This means less time managing multiple appointments, less time driving through the snow and ice to other healthcare offices, and less time repeating the same answers to the same questions fielded by multiple care providers. If you or a loved one suffers from back, neck, hip, shoulder, or other musculoskeletal complaints, don't hesitate to set-up an appointment with Dr. Ross at Excellence in Health Chiropractic today for a thorough exam and treatment consultation. We'll set you up with a personalized treatment plan to get you out of pain, and to help you once again participate in the activities you love. Take charge of your health and get back to living the life you deserve; and as always, we wish you excellence in health.

Resources:

• Houweling, T. Braga, A. Hausheer, T. Vogelsang, M. Peterson, C. Humphrey, K. (2015). First Contact Care With a Medical VS Chiropractic Provider After Consultation With a Swiss Telemedicine Provider: Comparison of Outcomes, Patient Satisfaction, and Health Care Costs in Spinal, Hip, and Shoulder Pain Patients. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 38(7): 477-483.

Link to Abstract:

• https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.uws.idm.oclc.org/pubmed/26288262