Over Half of Patients With Chronic Pain Use Alternative Therapies

Kaiser Permanente recenlty released results of a study of patients who had 3 or more outpatient visits for chronic pain within 18 months. Here are some key findings from the report:

·         Chronic pain affects approximately 100 million Americans each year and costs nearly $600 billion.

·         58% of patients in chronic pain used chiropractic care, acupuncture or both in addition to their Kaiser visits.

·         Of the 26% of patients who had chiropractic care only, 42% didn't tell their primary care providers.

·         35% of patients who had acupuncture only didn't share this with their primary care providers.

·         Most patients (66%) who received acupuncture accessed the services through their health plan.

·         45% of patients who received chiropractic care accessed that care through their health plan.

Source: Kaiser Permanente, July 20, 2015