What patients aren't telling you: 5 points on patients seeking alternative pain treatment without consulting physicians

Pain Management

Many patients seek alternative treatments for treating pain without their provider's knowledge. Researchers surveyed approximately 6,000 Kaiser patients in Washington and Oregon who had three or more outpatient visits due to chronic pain, according to Portland Business Journal.

Here are five facts:

 

1. Of the surveyed patients, 58 percent of individuals stated they used chiropractic care acupuncture or both.

 

2. Thirty-five of patients only using acupuncture didn't discuss this course of treatment with providers.

 

3. Of those patients only using chiropractic care, 42 percent did not speak with their physicians about the care.

 

4. Often, patients will not bring up the treatment, and many physicians do not ask about how patients are treating pain.

 

5. Many participants in the study either suffered from back pain, joint pain, arthritis, headaches and/or pain in the extremities, neck and muscles.

 

More articles on pain management:
10 things to know about prescription opioid abuse in the United States
6 notes on Austin Pain Associates' new executive leadership
8 insights on physicians' practice preferences

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