Back injuries and
problems related to the spine constitute the second most frequent
cause of WCB claims (about 25 per cent of all claims costs),
impacting employees, employers and the economy in the hundreds of
millions of dollars each year. Claims and disputes involving back
issues are by far the most constant and costly faced by the WCB. The
British Columbia Chiropractic Association will continue to work with
the WCB in safety education and public information, and member
doctors will counsel patients on best health practices and
prevention of injuries in the workplace. This will assist in efforts
to lower employer WCB payroll premiums.
“What this means for
employers, workers, their unions and industrial paramedics is that
they can directly access the most appropriate health professional
for the diagnosis of workplace associated back and neck concerns,
and, subsequently, the most effective course of treatment for most
situations,” said Dr. Jim Cooper of Penticton, president of the
British Columbia Chiropractic Association. More than 800
chiropractic doctors in B.C. treat more than 500,000 individual
patients each year. WCB-insured injuries are a significant part of
health care utilization.
Published studies, often
based on data from workers compensation boards, repeatedly confirm
that chiropractic care for spine and related conditions results in
superior outcomes, more rapid pain relief and recovery, and a
quicker return to productive lives. The latest of these was
published in the October 11, 2004, edition of the prestigious
Archives of Internal Medicine, a publication of the American Medical
Association. The study focused on the 4-year history of 1.7 million
members of a California managed health plan, only 700,000 of whom
had added chiropractic benefits. The study concluded that if all
members of the plan had chiropractic coverage, total health care
costs would drop by 12 percent and the plan would save $47.5 million
per year. This would be the result of less utilization of hospital
beds, drugs, surgery, x-rays and, most important, speedier recovery.
Employers should carefully review that their employee health and
safety programs reflect published studies.
“All workers and those
involved in workplace safety should encourage early and direct
contact for a chiropractic consultation,” Dr. Cooper said. “This is
a huge issue for employers. Irrefutable evidence demonstrates that
employers’ WCB payroll premiums could be reduced by 20 per cent.
After any back or spine injury, or work-related concern, workers
should go straight to their family chiropractor for a consultation
and subsequent help with the WCB process.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dr. Jim Cooper, Penticton, B.C, 250-492-2755
OR Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director
BC Chiropractic Association
#125-3751 Shell Road
Richmond, BC, V6X 2W2
Phone: 604-270-1332 Fax: 604-278-0093
E-mail: info@bcchiro.com
Web:
www.bcchiro.com
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