As insurance companies, doctors, politicians, and think tanks throughout the United States argue about the best way to get health care costs under control, many of them miss one obvious solution. Alternative medicine treatments offer a low-cost option that most Americans can afford much more easily than expensive drugs and surgeries. Unfortunately, many of the most important individuals in this argument dismiss alternative therapies such as chiropractic without ever reviewing pertinent medical research.
Chiropractic treatments have certainly become more mainstream in the past couple of decades, but that’s largely because patients have demanded the service, not because policymakers have supported the industry. In fact, many policymakers have remained steadfastly opposed to chiropractic treatments. The absurdity of this position becomes clearer when one has a close look at the facts.
Chiropractic treatments use a variety of techniques to encourage the body’s healing processes. The most common technique is spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation helps correct misalignments in the spine. This reduces back pain, improves mobility, and makes it easier for patients to lead healthy, active lifestyles. Spinal manipulation has even helped many patients overcome headaches that cause debilitating pain.
Even though chiropractic treatments offer these benefits, it is often characterized as a quack science based on flimsy research. While it is true that researchers studying chiropractic techniques do not have all of the answers, neither do researchers focused on other medical areas. The prescription drug industry, for instance, does not really know why antidepressants work for some people. Despite this, the companies continue to receive support from the government and large health care companies. As research continues, the chiropractic field will become better understood and refined. Ignoring the benefits of this so-called alternative medicine only stunts research and makes it impossible for the field to grow.
Reducing the high costs of health care in the United States will require a multi-tiered approach. Basing policies on misrepresentations, however, will only lead to more and more problems in the future. Until policymakers can take an open, honest look at all treatment options, we’re doomed to the same high-cost, high-risk treatments.
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