As with most cases of fraud, many people assume if they are not directly involved it has no impact on their life.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  In fact, incidents of fraud in the health care industry as well as other areas of your life have a ripple affect, impacting everyone regardless of whether or not they are direct participants.  Here we look at how chiropractic fraud affects everyone. 

What is chiropractic fraud?

Better known as chiropractic insurance fraud, this occurs when either a recipient of chiropractic treatment or administrator of treatment misrepresents information to the insurance company regarding such treatment.  A widespread problem in the medical community at large and specifically the chiropractic community, insurance fraud is a serious issue. 

Who does it hurt?

Insurance fraud hurts everyone.  From the patient who no longer knows where to turn for quality care to the person paying higher insurance premiums as a result of fraudulent claims.  Insurance fraud has a far reaching affect on those in the medical community and beyond. 

How to prevent insurance fraud?

Patients worried about insurance fraud can help stop the problem by paying close attention to the information reported to the insurance company regarding their treatment.  Is the insurance provider being billed for treatments as they occurred?  Is there a discrepancy in what the insurance company is billed for in relation to the treatment received?  Do you feel as if you are receiving more treatments than medically necessary?  These are all indications that your chiropractor may be involved in insurance fraud. 

What should you do if you suspect insurance fraud?

It is believed that insurance fraud costs taxpayers upwards of 50 billion dollars per year.  For this reason anyone suspecting insurance fraud should report the incident immediately.  Ideally the insurance company paying out on fraudulent claims should be the first party notified, with state or federal agencies next in line.  In cases of insurance fraud, you can report your suspicions anonymously or provide your name and contact information.

How to find a reputable chiropractor?

Just because there are a few bad apples in the business, does not mean all chiropractors are crooks.  The opposite is true, with almost all chiropractors being legitimate members of the heath care system.  Chiropractic treatments offer many benefits when administered by those with experience and proper training.  Always check with the Better Business Bureau and ask for references to learn more about the chiropractor you are considering.  As other patients about their experience and research the individual or practice online for an inside look at how other patients have rated their experience.  It is always a good idea to follow your own instincts as well.  If you feel the chiropractor in question is more concerned with billable treatments versus finding a solution to your problem, they may not be the chiropractor for you.  A reputable chiropractor will always put the needs and safety of their clients above any concerns over billable treatments.  Insurance fraud should be a concern for all of us, however it is important to remember that most medical professionals are in the business to provide services to those in need. 

Your Tulsa Chiropractor,

Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.

www.MarshallChiropractic.com

Anyone who plays a sport or regularly participates in some type of physical activity, regardless of the gender of the player or age of the player is subject to sport injuries. Sport injuries come in two forms, the first being traumatic injuries that occur when you have a slip, fall or possibly a collision.  The second type of injury includes stress to some area of the body or an overuse injury. Injuries can be painful and very prohibitive and can even take you out of your sport all together. What many people don’t realize is that chiropractic care can often provide sports injury relief.

Evaluating Injuries

Your first course of action should of course be to have your injury evaluated by a health care professional, such as a chiropractor. You will need to find out how much damage you are looking at and become knowledgeable on what the extent of your injuries entail. Whenever you have inflammation, localized swelling, redness, heat, discomfort, loss of function or any combination of the above, you should seek medical attention immediately. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to sustain long term injuries.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

What many people don’t realize is that professional sports teams use chiropractic care quite frequently, as they understand the benefits that athletes receive when being treated by a chiropractor. Complete recovery from an injury is often dependent on chiropractic care.  Big named athletes like Lance Armstrong and Emmit Smith have depended on chiropractic care during their careers.

The most common treatment when visiting the chiropractor is a spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation. This is the process of using fast and gentle pressure to the vertebrae that is subluxated, or misaligned, in a corrective manner. While some people might have the perception that spinal manipulations are painful, just the opposite is true. Many patients experience immediate relief when in pain or discomfort and even a higher sense of well being. When spinal adjustments are performed, athletes with injuries will often feel that pressure is reduced in their muscles and ligaments as well as the tendons and the nerves. Even when the back is not injured, spinal manipulations do make a difference.

How Chiropractic Care Works

Chiropractic care looks at the whole picture and chiropractors are usually trained in whole body health. They can offer athletes not only spinal adjustments but also exercises to aid in recovery as well as dietary and nutritional counseling. When under the care of a chiropractor, athletes are able to increase their performance, heal quicker from injuries and prevent future injuries. Chiropractic care can additionally help to improve range of motion, body symmetry, balance, agility, coordination and joint proprioception, all of which are important when it comes to athletes reaching their maximum athletic performance.

Preventing Future Injuries

Ongoing chiropractic care has also been attributed to fewer repeat and other additional injuries.  When your spine is aligned on a regular basis, you can greatly reduce the risk of other parts of your body becoming overworked, stressed and injured.

The Bonus Of No Drugs

Finally, treatment under successful chiropractic care greatly reduces the chances of having to turn to drugs and other methods like surgery to correct and treat sports injuries. Many athletes have been able to avoid both pain killers and undergoing the knife, through simple and safe ongoing chiropractic treatments.

Your Tulsa Chiropractor,

Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.

www.MarshallChiropractic.com

Just a friendly reminder, most deductibles start over in January.  If you, a family member or friend have a condition that you want to have looked at before the end of the year please call to schedule as soon as possible.

 I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  God Bless.

Your Tulsa Chiropractor,

Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.

 -Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeers?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

 www.MarshallChiropractic.com

 If you have never been to a chiropractor before, it is only natural to have some apprehension on your first visit. If you are suffering from neck or back pain, visiting a chiropractor can alleviate and even eliminate pain, and yet some people are simply afraid to go. This is especially true if you don’t know what to expect. Knowledge is power and getting the facts and understanding what will happen can help you overcome your fear.

Book a Consultation

One of the best things you can do to overcome your fear of the chiropractor is to book a consultation appointment. Make sure when you book the appointment you let them know about your concerns. A good chiropractor will sit down with you and explain to you about chiropractic care, what it is and what will happen during your first adjustment. They will let you know that being adjusted does not cause any pain and in fact relieves it. They should be able to answer any questions you might have and may even have additional brochures or short movies for you to watch.

Ask Friends, Family and Co-Workers About Their Chiropractic Experiences

Another way to help alleviate your fear is to talk to others who have been treated by a chiropractor in the past or who are currently under chiropractic care. They will be able to tell you their stories of chiropractic success and let you know there is nothing to worry about. This is also a great way to get a referral and just knowing you are seeing a chiropractor that has been recommended can help.

Focus On Pain Relief

The most common reason people visit chiropractors is for back or neck pain relief. If this is you, try to stay focused on the pain relief. So many people continually suffer from neck and back pain that could so easily be alleviated and even eliminated through chiropractic care. Especially if you are seriously suffering, in the end, pain relief should outweigh fear.

Chiropractors Are Highly Trained And Licensed Health Care Professionals

Chiropractors are highly recognized in the medical community and go through years of schooling and clinical practice, just like any other doctor. Chiropractic Care has been studied and proven to be an effective method of treatment for back and neck pain.

At The Time Of Your First Adjustment

When you are at your first adjustment appointment, make sure you remind the chiropractor that you are nervous and ask them to talk you through what is going to happen. Most chiropractors offer ways to help you relax which can include playing calming music in the background as well as heat treatments or massage before your adjustment.

Once people get through the initial fear of visiting a chiropractor they usually wonder what they were afraid of. Pain relief very often is found in just one visit and continues with each subsequent visit. After the initial treatment, more than likely you will be asking the questions why did I wait so long? So, if you are in pain but fearful of chiropractors, follow the above steps and before you know it you will be visiting the chiropractor and getting pain relief.

 Your Tulsa Chiropractor,

Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.

www.MarshallChiropractic.com

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Your Tulsa Chiropractor,

Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.

www.MarshallChiropractic.com