Your Back Pain Is Costing You £1000 A Year!

Your back pain is costing you £1000 each year.

“That is too expensive” and “Why do you charge so much?” are questions we hear on a day to day basis but expensive compared to what? Back pain is an issue affecting millions worldwide, often leading to decreased productivity, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life. With various treatment options, chiropractic care emerges as a cost-effective and holistic approach, providing relief without the hefty price tag often associated with private surgical interventions. In this blog, we'll delve into the economic ramifications of back pain, the financial strain it imposes on individuals, and why chiropractic care stands out as an accessible solution.

The Economic Impact of Back Pain:

Back pain is just physical; it is also burning a hole through your pocket each year and costing you thousands. A recent systematic review done by Fatoye et al found that the reported economic impact lower back pain is having annually is around $2.2 billion, affecting an individual income of $1226.25 which is around £980 (Fatoye et al, 2023). This figure includes the time off you have from work and money spent managing it which will continue to accumulate over the years, as the lower back pain continues to progress meaning more time off and so on. 

The Costly Alternative: Private Surgical Care

For many individuals suffering from chronic back pain, the prospect of surgery may seem like the only solution. Whether that is through the NHS or private, that is an option you have to resolve your back pain. However, private surgical care comes with a hefty price tag and is currently going through the NHS will have an 18 week waiting time, when being referred for non-urgent conditions (NHS, 2019). Going through the private route is going to cost you a bare minimum of £5000, the expenses associated with surgical procedures, including pre-operative evaluations, hospital fees, surgeon fees, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Moreover, there are inherent risks and potential complications associated with surgery, time spent recovering from surgery which in turn, is going to further amplify the financial and health-related concerns.

Chiropractic Care: A Cost-Effective Alternative

Contrary to popular belief, chiropractic care offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional medical interventions for back pain. Chiropractors focus on addressing the root cause of the pain through non-invasive techniques such as spinal adjustments, manual therapy, and rehabilitative exercises. Compared to surgery, chiropractic care is generally more affordable and accessible, making it an alternative option for individuals seeking relief from back pain without breaking the bank.

So, chiropractic care is expensive compared to what? 

References 

Fatoye, F., Gebrye, T., Mbada, C. E., & Useh, U. (2023). Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMJ open, 13(4), e064119. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064119

NHS (2019). Guide to NHS waiting times in England. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england/ (Accessed 11 May 2024)