Chiropractic Care in the Outer Banks

Relief for Pregancy Back Pain

Ah, the indescribable joys of pregnancy. The anticipation of new life, the intimate, developing bond between mother and child … and the back pain.

More than 50% of women experience back pain during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, and frequently the pain can be excruciating and debilitating.

A Swedish study involving 258 pregnant women investigated whether water gymnastics could reduce the intensity of back pain and the number of days taken for sick leave.

Women were divided equally into two groups: an exercise group that participated in water gymnastics (one hour of relaxation exercises, performed in a swimming pool and accompanied by music) during the second half of their pregnancy; and a control group that did not participate in water gymnastics.

Although back pain intensity increased during the course of pregnancy for both groups, the exercise group reported less pain compared with the control group.

The total number of reported days on sick leave was also lower in the exercise group (982 days taken) compared with controls (1,484 days taken).

Massages help pregnancy back pains

Many of the joys and frustrations of parenthood will last much longer than nine months, so prepare yourself.

But back pain is one frustration that doesn’t have to last.

If you’re expecting a child and are experiencing back pain, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about making your pregnancy as pain-free as possible.

Reference:

Kihlstrand M, Stenman B, Nilsson S, et al. Water gymnastics reduced the intensity of back/low back pain in pregnant women. Acta Obstetrics Et Gynecologica Scandinavia, March 1999: Vol. 78, No. 3, pp180-85

Health Insurance often covers Chiropractic Care

Find out what is covered by your health insurance plan.

Seems obvious, but many people forget to check if their chiropractic care team of choice is listed among their approved providers for those services.

Chiropractic care entails diagnosing and adjusting back problems by manually manipulating the bones in the spine to ease pain and restore mobility. Years ago, chiropractic care and other forms of alternative medicine were considered unorthodox and often weren’t covered by health insurance providers.

Today, as more and more insurance carriers are looking for ways to promote wellness and good health, the rules have changed.

Before We Start – Things You’ll Need:

Copy of your health insurance policy
Documentation from your medical doctor and chiropractor outlining the need for chiropractic care

Initial Steps

• Find out what is covered by your health insurance plan. Check to see if your chiropractic care team is listed among their approved providers for those services.
• Determine if your insurance carrier is an HMO (Healthcare Management Organization) or PPO. HMOs will generally only cover practitioners who are on their approved list. PPOs tend to pay for any chiropractic service, usually up to 80 percent of fees charged by providers not on their preferred list, as well as a prearranged fee to the provider if they are preferred.
• Get your chiropractor’s office team to help you find alternatives to your health insurance if you can’t get coverage for your visits. Many practitioners have special financing plans available.

There are ways to make sure your Insurance covers your treatment

Few More Things You Should Know

• Keep approaching your insurance provider, as many health insurance companies operate under the ‘squeaky wheel’ theory. If your medical doctor agrees with the need for chiropractic care, ask for a letter stating that for the insurance company.
• Be certain to thoroughly fill out your medical history form when you visit a chiropractor for the first time, paying special care to questions about prior injuries.
• If you were injured in an automobile accident or work-related injury, talk to your automobile insurance company or employer about possible coverage of chiropractic treatment.

Consider this:

While treatments such as Spinal Decompression can be expensive, they’re often much less than the usual 20% Co-Pay on the costs of Back Pain Surgery.

Here are some figures – a complete spinal decompression therapy treatment costs around $5000. The average costs for back pain surgery are around $35,000. The co-pay on $35,000 is $7000.

Anyway, don’t be discouraged if you have trouble getting coverage for your chiropractic visits. You may be eligible for forms of private or short term health insurance that will cover your chiropractic care

Keep the situation in perspective and remember how important pain relief is to your overall well being.

Of course, for the most effective pain relief in the Outer Banks, come see us in Southern Shores!

On this video, Dr. Craig McGiffin walks us through a regular visit to his chiropractic clinic in Southern Shores, guiding one of his patients through a couple of warm-up stretches for the spine and the neck , showing some of the most common adjustments, and then some of the unique Pettibon correctional tools.

RSS readers – watch the video here

First, you’ll see Linda going through the Cervical Traction exercise where Dr. McGiffin helps her allocate a small amount of pressure into her back and neck muscles.

Then, Linda sits on the “wobble chair” and on what is seems like a sitting dance, she stretches her lower back and hips, enough to get her ready for the actual adjustment, done on the table.

At the table, adjustments are made to her lower and upper back, and to relieve her neck pain, Dr. McGiffin uses a small activation “gun” that stimulates nerve endings to help soothe stiffness and pain.

Once the adjustments are finished, Linda puts on the patented Pettibon weighting system. Because her muscles are now stretched and more flexible, the weights will help solidify the corrections made.

As you see on the video, the entire visit is very comfortable to the patient and produces results almost instantly.

If you’re in pain, and would like to try a drug-free, gentle, and effective treatment, sign up on the site and receive a free consultation at our Chiropractic clinic in the Outer Banks.

See you soon!