SPINAL CARE EDUCATION AS A PREVENTATIVE STRATEGY FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY: A New Role for Chiropractors

Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a spinal care lecture (conducted by a chiropractor) in reducing the number of spinal injuries and their associated costs in the workplace.Method: A lecture was designed to increase employees awareness of spinal injury and how it might be prevented. The lecture was designed following a work-place inspection, to assess the most likely risk factors for injury. The lecture also included advice on posture, normal biomechanics and alternative strategies to improve spinal health.Subjects: Volunteer subjects, all from the same company, were randomly assigned to a study group (n = 34) and a control group (n = 27). The remaining employees (n = 60) formed a non intervention (baseline) comparison group.Main Outcome Measures: The number and severity of injuries for all groups was monitored over a six month period prior to and following the lecture. In addition, Oswestry pain and disability questionnaires were collected prior to the lecture and at the six month follow up period.Results: The average cost of injuries went from $451 in the six months prior to training down to $194 in the first three months and then to $269 at six months after training. In comparison, the corresponding control group figures were $396, $409 and $382, respectively.Discussion: The cost of reported back injuries decreased by 57% in the first three months for the educated group when compared to pre-intervention levels. At the six month follow up the cost of back injuries remained 40% lower than previous levels.Conclusion: The results from our study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p< .05) in the cost of back injuries and Oswestry pain scores, following an employee training program conducted by a chiropractor.