Why Chiropractic Is Deemed Essential Through COVID

We at Portola Valley Chiropractic have been honored to be able to provide high-quality care to our patients throughout the entire year. In fact, we didn't close our doors a single day this year due to the pandemic. Some of you reading this might think that fact is a little nuts, especially since so many of our patients are currently working and learning from home. But fortunately, chiropractic has been deemed an essential business by the government and through our rigorous cleaning practices and other precautions we have instated, we have been able to maintain a safe environment for our patients to receive the care that they need. Let's learn a bit more about why chiropractors are deemed essential during this global pandemic.

Back on March 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a memo stating that doctors of chiropractic are part of the essential critical infrastructure workforce. Authored by Christopher C. Krebs, the director of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the memo listed specific workers in industries ranging from health care/public health, transportation, food and agriculture, information technology, and more who were considered essential for the safety and functioning of our country. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) also issued a letter to the Department of Homeland Security emphasizing that "chiropractors are primary contact healthcare providers who provide essential care, including (but not limited to) managing acute and urgent musculoskeletal conditions.…These services are critical for managing cases that otherwise could end up in emergency rooms, worsening an already difficult situation.” 

So, why did the Department of Homeland Security agree with the ACA that chiropractors should be considered essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic? Here are a few reasons why:

1. Chiropractors Take the Burden Off Healthcare Workers and Hospitals

With more than 15 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. alone, it’s easy to see why hospitals, urgent care centers, and other healthcare facilities have become overwhelmed with patients. Going to the hospital for chronic back pain instead of a chiropractor means more work for the already busy doctors and nurses, one less bed for a COVID patient, and more potential exposure to you as the patient. With chiropractic offices open, patients with pain can schedule to see a doctor of chiropractic and avoid the risks of going to the hospital. This also means that the medical professionals working in hospital settings will have more bandwidth for the patients that really need to see them.

2. Chiropractors Prevent the Spread of Disease

Treating infectious diseases does not fall under the scope of chiropractic care. Because chiropractors don’t provide treatment for COVID-19 we generally don't see many patients who are actively experiencing COVID-related symptoms. Patients feel relieved knowing that the people who came to our office before them that day were coming in for neck and back pain, not a fever and cough. Compare that to the hospital where many patients are actively being treated for COVID and it is impossible to know if the people in the waiting room around you are positive for the virus or not. By keeping hurt but healthy people away from the facilities that treat positive patients, having chiropractic offices open helps prevent the spread of the disease.

3. Chiropractors Treat Your Pain

Your routine might have drastically changed due to COVID-19, which may be the very reason you need to see a chiropractor. Regardless if this is the case, chiropractors should be your first line of defense against any unexpected aches or pains. Chiropractic care doesn’t just relieve your pain, it treats the underlying problem and allows your body to heal itself. Misaligned joints, muscular trigger points, nerve compression, and other musculoskeletal conditions often don't go away by taking NSAIDs. But by realigning the joints, releasing trigger points, and relieving pressure on nerves, chiropractors can help alleviate the pain.

By listing chiropractors as an essential service, the Department of Homeland Security is acknowledging the vital role that chiropractic care plays in overall health. Not only do we treat our patients for their musculoskeletal conditions, but we also keep them away from the medical facilities that are currently struggling to cope with the sheer volume of patients they are seeing. Being open during these times also gives our patients a safer environment to get treated, away from potentially risky and infectious individuals. 

In the meantime, we at Portola Valley Chiropractic have been implementing the necessary precautions and cleaning practices to keep everyone in the office safe. All doctors, staff members, and patients are required to wear a face mask during the entirety of their treatment. We are also taking temperatures at the door and sanitizing all tables and equipment between appointments. We know that chiropractic is a very "hands-on" style of care and we want to keep ourselves and our patients protected and comfortable with coming in to see us. Safety is our top priority. 

For true medical emergencies or for treating symptoms of the coronavirus, the hospital is still the safest place to go. But for aches and pains, it is best to avoid hospital settings and consult a chiropractor for your treatment goals. Schedule online or call us at 650-851-4860 to book an appointment now.