As a chiropractor, I can tell you that taking advantage of more complicated and “high tech” treatments for many, if not most, musculoskeletal complaints is bad news. Study after study shows that things like getting an MRI leads to higher chance of receiving an epidural. Receiving an epidural leads to a higher chance of having surgery. It becomes a cascade effect.
Most studies looking at chiropractic care for musculoskeletal complaints find that our care is at least as effective and definately cheaper. Especially when you focus on less medication, less imaging and certainly less surgery. Which always makes it difficult when someone tries to cut out chiropractic benefits to “save money.” Math wasn’t my strong point, but sure seems to make sense to keep chiropractic in the picture.
This particular study, while not looking at chiropractic care, did look at the opposite end of the spectrum. Researchers looked at patients with a herniated lumbar disc diagnosed in a hospital setting. Almost 42% of them did not return to the workforce full time. 42%!! The odds were worse if surgery was performed.
The bottom line is to seek chiropractic care FIRST. Care will be simpler, less costly, and your odds of returning to work will be highter.