SomaTrac is a very conservative traction device using both linear and/or reverse gravity to more naturally decompress the vertebral joints. These tables are also available in home units as an alternative to the reverse gravity swings. The patient can easily be given some control over the treatment. The patient can benefit as much as from only 30 degrees of inclination.
The most powerful natural tools to reduce pain and to promote healing include the use of infrared technology (Light Therapy) which includes cold laser used in applications for deep tissue penetration. This is considered frequency work. Insurance views this as only raising the temperature to promote circulation. It does much more than this. In addition, natural supplementation with metabolic enzymes produce long lasting benefits without any potential for side effects.
The Crafton Chiropractic facility is well equipped to provide therapies to reduce pain, improve function, stretch and strengthen. Chiropractors are licensed to provide these services for their patients. The terms "adjunctive" or "modality" are meant to define this treatment. These are coded by insurers as "physical medicine"; whereby, all therapists use, for the most part, the same codes to describe the activity performed. Devices may be used to help perform these activities, but vary among different providers.
"The more likely that you have dysfunction, pain, and degeneration. the more likely you will have a plan of care that mandates therapies. These are important and are expected protocol in any health care program. They are presented in a series of progressive sessions to be reevaluated after a reasonable amount of time has been given."
Healthline provides an excellent and effective nebulizer with compressor for respiratory problems. A variety of natural products can be introduced into the device to cleanse sinus and lung cavities.
Stamina products are unique quality equipment. Many are based on the work done by Pilates. They offer a reverse gravity back swing that has a seated position making it effective and easier to use.
Posture Pump is used by many chiropractors and several neurologists. It offers an excellent website with research showing its effectiveness. Its cervical unit is a staple for whiplash recovery. It provides for both traction and continuous passive motion emphasizing extension to improve upon a compromised cervical curvature.
The Turbosonic vibrational platform is the premiier platform in the market. It uses sound to generate its vibration in a very controlled vertical delivery. This is more stabilizing. promotes balance, and core strength without further irritating injuries and degenerative tissues. Additionally, passive and active exercises are performed on the platform.
"Dr. Robert M. Martin, a world famous Orthopedist and chiropractor, popularized reverse gravity treatment. He was an Olympic gymnist who sought through exercise and posture to improve upon spinal conditions. He said in his Cum Gravity.... that there are important uncommon postures that can improve spinal health: extension, brachial and reverse traction. While the common postures compress the spinal: flexion, seated, and standing. Certain effective exercises promoting uncommon postures are effective. They still are effective and are not to be diminished in their value. Reverse gravity works. Extension is the only healthy spinal expression. Continued flexion and imbalance will destroy weight bearing joints over time and contribute to injury and degeneration."
Dr. Katherine Crafton
Dr. Katherine Crafton
Many BCBS contracts under "Chiropractic" state, "The following muscle manipulation maximum may be combined with other therapy services." Reading this statement tells you many important things. CMT (Chiropractic Manual Treatment) and CPT (Chiropractic Physical Therapy) MODALITIES are viewed as the same or equally represented by the provider, a chiropractor. Treatment is viewed as a therapy that pays the provider. BCBS does not view one as more important than another. Actually considering the amounts and units, CPT pays more and allows for unattended assistance. It is common and to be expected that the patient will see 4 to 5 procedures per visitation which adds up to what you'd expect from a PT. An adjustment is viewed by BCBS as a "muscle manipulation" even though it is a "joint" or an "attachment" that is contacted. There is one spinal adjustment per visit, and, most often with Dr. Crafton's expertise, one extremity adjustment will be included for it to be considered "maximum". CPT procedures may be many as with "other therapy services" to include examinations and x-rays as within the policy's limitations. It is not to be expected that the provider is only going to bill only one spinal manipulation, so your contract is telling you what to expect on your remittance and as a "coinsurance."
The most productive actions to promote spinal health are decompression, extension, and oscillation with full range of motion and balanced stress all within the joint limitations. No matter how one tends to complicate things, the healthiest expression of spinal joints is similar to all joint activity; extension is reaching out and putting the body into a position to adapt and express itself positively, while flexion is protective, easier to perform and self limiting. Antalgic patients present in flexion not extension. Life's battle is to keep from collapsing upon yourself in anterior flexion. Your organ systems cannot perform healthy functions when under compression"
Dr. Katherine Crafton
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Modalities
Most Atlas Orthogonal chiropractors have cash only practices. To follow the protocols takes more time and investment than insurance is willing to pay for this specialized adjustment.. They consider themselves specialists in that one area and elect to focus only on this adjustment. We have many other interests and have elected to be more diversified as a practice; also we found that patients want to use their insurance as best as possible to meet their health needs. We value the importance of modalities and consider them essential to recovery. If for whatever reason we could not put claims in for these procedures, we could not continue to put in claims for our chiropractic adjustment. We would have to operate as do some AO physicians who have a cash only business.
Modalities are considered to be either Attended or Unattended as to describe whether an attendant is present and/or performing the treatment. In most cases an assistant can perform the treatment. Most of our modalities are considered Unattended. Attended treatments are associated with the use of pain reduction with cold lasers, ultrasound, manual mobilizations, massage or some electrical stimulation.
The equipment being used is not to be considered the modality, since a modality or therapy is the activity itself. Equipment is not designed to fit a code; it, however, can often assist in many differently coded activities depending on the physician's intention and the need of the patient. Specially designed tables and devices are not to be considered the therapy.
Modalities are also considered to be either Passive or Active. Passive activities are associated with acute care, while active is or likely a rehabilitative activity to strengthen. Passive means that the repeated actions are done for the patient, while in Active therapies, the actions are performed by the patient. Chiropractic therapies are more often Passive activities, since we want to be less aggressive until the healing process resolves. We are severely limited by insurance in the number of visits a year; this makes it very difficult to transition to rehabilitative treatment. PT or OT receive referrals from medical doctors where the patient is recovering from surgery or emergency intervention. We may be able to help, but statistically it rarely happens. PT or OT, most often, deal with rehabilitative active therapies being granted more visits by the carrier. We do have physician status and require no referral.
The equipment being used is not to be considered the modality, since a modality or therapy is the activity itself. Equipment is not designed to fit a code; it, however, can often assist in many differently coded activities depending on the physician's intention and the need of the patient. Specially designed tables and devices are not to be considered the therapy.
Modalities are also considered to be either Passive or Active. Passive activities are associated with acute care, while active is or likely a rehabilitative activity to strengthen. Passive means that the repeated actions are done for the patient, while in Active therapies, the actions are performed by the patient. Chiropractic therapies are more often Passive activities, since we want to be less aggressive until the healing process resolves. We are severely limited by insurance in the number of visits a year; this makes it very difficult to transition to rehabilitative treatment. PT or OT receive referrals from medical doctors where the patient is recovering from surgery or emergency intervention. We may be able to help, but statistically it rarely happens. PT or OT, most often, deal with rehabilitative active therapies being granted more visits by the carrier. We do have physician status and require no referral.
All chiropractors physicians, as do others, design their own plan of care for their patient based on numerous professional criteria, and every patient should be considered unique. When one expects insurance to pay for the care, things change. The insured often places their own rules over these activities as to if, when, and how they can be performed. Unfortunately, it is seldom made clear beforehand, and only upon a claim rejection is there a dispute. Just because an insurer rejects a claim does not mean that the activity was inappropriate. Almost all claims that include therapies are anticipated, expected and approved within the limitations of the patient's chiropractic coverage.
Insurance considers chiropractic to be akin to a therapy sessional treatment. The State of Alabama even spells out quite specifically the broad scope of practice entitled and expected from chiropractors under the definition of Chiropractic Physiological Therapies. Fees for these procedures are generally associated with short time units. Insurers expect that in one visit as much as reasonable will be performed to help the patient whether that be with a chiropractor or any other provider. In a plan of care, we seldom perform more than five procedural codes, since we often find it necessary to make a spinal and an extremity adjustment. The modalities could be as many as an additional three codes. Sometimes two of which are performed at the same time. The nationwide average visit cost for one physical therapist visit is $150.00, since the totality of the procedures performed add up to this amount. If the plan indicates that modalities will contribute to a better recovery, chiropractors receive similar compensation for a similar amount of procedural work. They can receive as much, but seldom more than the typical therapist visit.
The idea that a chiropractic visit is valued at $35-$50 a visit is unrealistic and promotes the idea that you can be helped by a quick visit whenever you feel like you have an extra few dollars. This is not being a physician. Some patients pay a smaller amount, but this is while they are in maintenance care after having graduated from a plan of care where more extensive concentrated and controlled work had been done. Some chiropractors may only being doing this type of work for everyone, but it does not follow the expectations of insurance carriers who are paying the bill. From their point of view, they question our professionalism because we made an appointment with the patient to drive in and spent only a few minutes to deliver only one procedure? Granted as chiropractors, especially upper cervical chiropractors, we place an enormous value on the Atlas adjustment, but we have no influence over changing the way insurance values the procedure. To them, if you spend less time, than it is not worth more.
The idea that a chiropractic visit is valued at $35-$50 a visit is unrealistic and promotes the idea that you can be helped by a quick visit whenever you feel like you have an extra few dollars. This is not being a physician. Some patients pay a smaller amount, but this is while they are in maintenance care after having graduated from a plan of care where more extensive concentrated and controlled work had been done. Some chiropractors may only being doing this type of work for everyone, but it does not follow the expectations of insurance carriers who are paying the bill. From their point of view, they question our professionalism because we made an appointment with the patient to drive in and spent only a few minutes to deliver only one procedure? Granted as chiropractors, especially upper cervical chiropractors, we place an enormous value on the Atlas adjustment, but we have no influence over changing the way insurance values the procedure. To them, if you spend less time, than it is not worth more.