While the national fungal meningitis epidemic continues to cause outrage, some people are starting to ask more thoughtful questions. These questions could have long-term consequences for how we treat back pain.
Nearly all the people who have died or become sick from the contaminated steroids received shots of what authorities believe to be contaminated medication. The source of the steroid medication was traced back to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy that was intended to treat their back pain. This number is expected to rise as more victims are found to have been exposed to the tainted medication.
The bigger question is: Are the expensive, high-tech diagnostics, drugs, and surgical procedures used to treat back pain safe? Could there be a far less invasive treatment? chiropractic carealternative to it?
“These [steroid injections] are one of the most overused procedures in the U S.,” Dr. Steven J. Atlas, the director of Primary Care Research & Quality Improvement Network at Massachusetts General Hospital, told the Boston Globe.
Even surgeons, who Atlas previously criticised for being more concerned with billing than counseling care, now admit that some patients are worse off after having surgery. These studies, which have been repeated in many others, not only cast doubt on spinal fusion’s benefits but also — in the case of popular fracture-treating vertroplasty — strongly recommend against it.
This, along with the risk of becoming addicted or overdosing on pain medication and relying too heavily on cortisone, which can mask the pain, led to an innovative decision by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-affiliated healthcare plan. It has made chiropractic care advocates feel vindicated. Before being eligible for spine surgery, candidates must have completed a three month course of conservative management. This includes manual and/or instrumental manipulation of the spine, as well as lifestyle and exercise counseling.
“There needs to be a safer way to address back pain,”Dr. Gerard W. Clum D.C. is a spokesperson for Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.www.yes2chiropractic.org “These high-tech, invasive medical interventions can be worse than the condition and don’t seem to be getting many individuals any closer to relief.”
