We named our first Person of the Year in 1986 and have continued to do so every year since. Three decades later, we felt a "story," rather than a person, was the best candidate to recognize with our annual award. Without a doubt, that story is opioid awareness and the trend toward nondrug pain relief, which has found its way into an ever-increasing number of guidelines, initiatives and articles. Here's a small sampling, as presented in DC this year:
The F4CP Initiative
As reported in our February issue, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress has launched an initiative titled "Save Lives. Stop Opioid Abuse. Choose Chiropractic." The initiative features an "opioid toolkit" (available for free download here) that includes a position paper, print advertisement, infographic, poster, brochure, advertorial, and radio and TV public-service announcements.
The ACP Guideline
In April, we reported on the updated American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline, "Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain." As its title alludes to, the guideline recommends spinal manipulation and other non-invasive, nondrug therapies as first options for acute, subacute and chronic low back pain. The complete guideline is available for free download here.
The Consumer Reports Article
The June issue of Consumer Reports featured "The Better Way to Get Back Pain Relief." The article teases, "Growing research suggests that drugs and surgery may not be the answer for your bad back," and discusses, among other topics, the risks associated with opioid use while espousing the value of conservative care, including chiropractic. Read the entire article online here.
The Joint Commission Standards
Revised pain management standards from The Joint Commission require the commission's accredited hospitals to provide nondrug pain treatment as a necessary performance element. Chiropractic and other nonpharmaceutical therapies are listed as options hospitals can offer in order to meet the standards, which take effect Jan. 1, 2018.
The Attorneys General Letter
In September, the National Association of Attorneys General sent a letter signed by AG's from 35 states and two U.S. territories to the president / CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents an estimated 1,300 insurance companies insuring more than 200 million Americans. The letter urges AHIP to "take proactive steps to encourage your members to review their payment and coverage policies and revise them, as necessary and appropriate, to encourage healthcare providers to prioritize non-opioid pain management options."
Editor's Note: Think opioid / nondrug pain-relief awareness is over? It's just getting started. For example, check out our breaking news item from a few weeks ago (October issue), which details a new "pocket guide" you should mail, personally deliver or otherwise provide to every MD you know.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
Some pundits say that the upcoming presidential and congressional races, and many local races, might be the most consequential in our country’s history. We do not have the choice of sitting on the sidelines and hoping our patients will carry our water. Unlike other medical professions such as physical therapists, podiatrists, nurses, etc., the health care class (AMA) will not protect us. We must be in the game.
The most common condition affecting the shoulder is rotator-cuff disease. From acute tears to chronic tendinopathy, it’s common and needs a thorough workup. In fact, even asymptomatic shoulders can have full-thickness rotator-cuff rears in up to 40% of instances. Let’s look at additional conditions that can present to the office with weakness, loss of motion and pain in the shoulder beyond rotator-cuff tears.
