Biggest Health Trends of 2014
The largest single event impacting healthcare for 2014 is passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (PPACA or ACA). The ACA is not just about insurance coverage but, also prevention and financial accountability. Granting 20 million Americans access to healthcare will require service providers to finally get serious about reducing costs and hospital utilization rates. New healthcare trends will include better coordination by treatment providers, increased use of electronic medical records, making virtual or online care available, expanding the role of healthcare coaches, and relying significantly more on alternative therapies. In recent years there has been little progress in slowing the rate with which patients with chronic medical conditions or work injuries burden the healthcare system. Healthcare providers can look to both patient groups to substantively reduce the costs necessary to implement the ACA and likely deliver higher quality patient care.
Patients with persistent health issues such as chronic pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, migraines, etc. have long been the largest consumer of healthcare resources. With improved integration of alternative treatments, such as chiropractic care, these same patients can benefit greatly. Recognized as the second largest primary health care profession in the world, chiropractic care can improve the overall health of patients through treating a specific condition or the skeletal structure as a whole to increase patient activity levels and injury prevention. Although chiropractic care specializes in treating neck and back pain, patients report blood pressures, asthma symptoms, and migraine headaches have been positively influenced by this treatment.
Another patient group to watch in 2014 is associated with work injuries. Fallout from the recession and record-breaking unemployment rates have created work environments where employees work more days and longer hours. Workers need on-going treatment for pain caused by performing repetitive tasks such as lifting and typing on computers and education on injury prevention. As the ACA is implemented, this patient group will also need to look to alternative therapies to receive the care they need. Patients and their providers can find their answer in chiropractic care, a known, safe, effective, drug-free, surgery-free treatment for recurring pain in the neck, back, arms, legs, and wrists.
La Clinica SC offers a free medical consultation on your first visit. During this initial visit, one of our reputable chiropractors will document your medical history, perform an examination, make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan which can be shared with your primary caregiver. Start a relationship with your new chiropractor today!