Does a Primary Care Doctor Benefit by Referring Patients to Chiropractic Care?
The primary care doctor has long been assigned the role of gatekeeper or coordinator of care in the healthcare arena and with good reason. They are the initial contact for many patients and they have the unique ability to guide and follow up on treatment alternatives.
While the role is predefined, many providers are on the lookout for effective referral relationships that afford the best medical care and help treat the vast influx of patients needing treatment.
In Snohomish County, Washington, the primary care provider to patient ratio is 1,900:1, far above the national average that is closer to 1,100:1.
That means that you need a qualified and conscientious referral team of care providers that treat your patients effectively and return them to your practice reliably.
Making Chiropractors Part of Your Musculoskeletal Team
Whether in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or OB/Gyn, you find yourself with patients presenting with musculoskeletal issues, i.e., the car accident victim with whiplash, the pregnant woman with back aches.
These patients typically require more than just pain medication. They can benefit from non-invasive treatment options that help to correct the underlying problem before relying on surgical alternatives. In fact, patients frequently self-refer to chiropractors wanting to find a solution that doesn’t involve invasive options.
Can You Be Confident in Chiropractic Care?
When referring patients to chiropractic care, primary care doctors need to feel confident in the treatment being delivered. In a recent Harvard Medical School article, Robert Shmerling, M.D., suggests that offering chiropractic care to patients is a solid treatment strategy and one that he offers his patients.
Dr. Shmerling also points to a study cited by the JAMA Open Network entitled “Effect of Usual Medical Care Plus Chiropractic Care vs Usual Medical Care Alone”. This study showed that a statistically significant improvement in low back pain intensity and disability was experienced by patients when chiropractic care supplemented traditional back pain treatment by a primary care doctor alone
A Colleague with Solid Training and Experience
At Amazing Life Chiropractic & Wellness, our clinicians are board-certified and have deep knowledge and experience in treating a wide array of musculoskeletal issues. We listen to the patient and take a holistic treatment approach taking into account the patient’s lifestyle and overall health goals.
Our expertise includes:
- Chiropractic manipulation using the latest techniques that are proven gentle and effective for muscle aches and pains throughout the body. Excellent when a patient is faced with back, neck, and extremities pain from exercise or work-related strains or injuries.
- Neuropathy care for patients experiencing nerve pain and weakness, numbness, or acute pain.
- Care for people who have suffered injuries due to car accidents, most often neck and back pain.
- Lifestyle support with weight loss solutions, exercise counseling, and custom orthotics for work and leisure activity.
We also understand that when referring patients to another practice you want to feel confident that you will receive timely follow up. At Amazing Life, we inform your practice by sending patient progress and updates back post-care. We want you to be fully informed on the progress we’re making and rest assured that your patients will be directed back to you when treatment is complete.
If you are a primary care physician in the Mill Creek community, please contact us to discuss how we can partner with you and your patients.
