The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) outlined the inclusion of chiropractic services by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a portion of the standard medical benefits package which has been provided to all eligible veterans for approximately 10 years. Researchers from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System published a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, conducted to demonstrate the substantial growth in the utilization of chiropractic services and the chiropractic workforce in the VA within a decade. According to the new study, the annual number of chiropractic visits increased by roughly 700 percent, indicating that more veterans have increased access to chiropractic care then ever before.
The lead author of the study, Anthony J. Lisi, CD, Director of the Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Program and Chiropractic Section Chief at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, stated, βOur work shows that the VA has steadily and substantially increased its use of chiropractic services each year following their implementation in late 2004.β He added, βVA chiropractic care evidence-based, patient-centered treatment options that are in demand by veterans and referring providers. VA continues its efforts to ensure appropriate access to chiropractic care across the whole system, but as this study shows, the progress to date has been remarkable.β
Over an 11-year time period, numerous findings among the study revealed that the annual number of veterans and active duty service members treated in VA chiropractic clinics heightened by 821 percent. Also, the annual number of visits to chiropractic offices increased by 693 percent. Then, the study demonstrated that the total number of VA chiropractic clinics escalated by 9 percent annually while the number of chiropractor employees expanded by 21 percent annually. And finally, throughout the multitude of findings within the 11-year period of the study, the average VA chiropractic patient was identified as male, between the ages of 45 and 64, is seen for lower back and/or neck injuries or conditions, and generally receives an examination, followed by chiropractic spinal adjustments and manual manipulations as well as other healthcare services.
Co-Author Cynthia A. Brandt, MD, MPH, Health Services Researcher at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System and Professor at Yale University School of Medicine quoted, βChiropractic care is an important component in the treatment of veterans with spinal conditions and pain symptoms. The trends we identified provide a foundation for further research to examine the optimal models of care delivery for patients.β
The conducted study also revealed that VA chiropractic clinics noticed a higher percentage of female and younger individuals as compared to the national VA outpatient population. The statistical inclination was consistent with the numerous veterans from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, which was acknowledged for its immense predominance of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
The growth of chiropractic service use among active duty military members and veterans alike for pain management and other health matters, specifically those in the Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and older adult populations, represents the definitive demand for chiropractic services. The incremented utilization of chiropractic care is a direct reflection of the improved clinical effect and increased patient satisfaction scores that have been documented before. Sherry McAllister, DC, executive vice president, F4CP, stated, βWe commend VA for its participation in ongoing chiropractic research to help further improve the health and well-being of our respected and valued veterans.β
The authors of the study also addressed that the increased development in VA chiropractic utilization had occurred without additional laws authorizing an increase. In other words, this action demonstrates an increase in the recognition of value of chiropractic care in the Veterans Affairs. In a recent editorial, VA Under Secretary for Health, David J. Shulkin, MD, sourced the VAβs chiropractic program as a model showing the important healthcare competence being supplied to veterans.
Chiropractic treatment is combined with primary care, specialty clinics, rehabilitation, provide a non-pharmacologic option for pain management as well as general health and wellness concerns. Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) who receive a minimum of seven years of higher level education, contribute with non-operative managing of injuries and/or conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint pain, through a comprehensive approach including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.elpasochiropractorblog.com
For about a decade now, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has included chiropractic services as a part of the standard medical benefits package for eligible veterans. Annually, thereβs been a recorded increase in the number of chiropractic visits, suggesting the VA values chiropractic treatment as a portion of their treatment options available to many veterans and active duty military members alike. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Source: Chiropractic: A Safer Strategy Than Opioids
For Additional Information:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site
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Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
Our areas of chiropractic practice include Β Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, FNP-C, FNP-APRN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & MultistateΒ
Texas RN License # 1191402Β
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, FNP-C, APRN, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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