Chiropractic can ease hospital log jam: Wolfe

If more Canadians suffering from neuromusculoskeletal problems visited chiropractors, it would take some of the strain off the health care system, says Dr. Bryan Wolfe, president of the Ontario Chiropractic Association.

One of the most common reasons Canadians visit general practitioners is because of back pain.

According to a Health Canada report, neuromusculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, cost society a whopping $16.4 billion through both direct (treatment and rehabilitation) and indirect (lost productivity) spending.

“One of the biggest things we try to get across is that (chiropractors) could most definitely help reduce the strain on the system . . . Chiropractic has been researched extensively. It’s a very safe, effective procedure,” says Wolfe.

As part of an ongoing pilot project in Hamilton, chiropractors have been included as part of a family health team for the past two years.

According to findings of the Hamilton pilot project, the number of patients taking medications for neuromusculoskeletal conditions decreased by 23 per cent when treated by a chiropractor.

Wolfe says there is evidence the health care system would benefit from chiropractic playing a bigger role in family health teams..

“The biggest deal around collaborations is that health professionals can share our expertise to allow us to deliver a high-quality care,” he says. “We’re very interested in becoming a part of interdisciplinary teams . . . We are working very hard to practise in multidisciplinary settings.”

A recent study indicates an increasing number of Canadians are seeking alternatives to mainstream medical treatment. The report was published by the Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian policy think tank.

According to the report, between 1997 and 2006, there was an increase in the number of Canadians visiting chiropractors. In 1997, 13 per cent of Canadians sought chiropractic care. In 2006, that number was 15 per cent.

Wolfe attributes this increase to the fact baby boomers represent a significant percentage of the Canadian population, and with an aging population comes more interest in health maintenance.

“I think it’s part of the increased consciousness around health in our society,” he says. “People have more access to information.”

For more information on chiropractic care, visit http://www.chiropractic.on.ca