There are a number of reasons for you to consider referring your patients to First Health Associates:

1. Most people report low back problems at some time in their lives; national statistics indicate a general yearly prevalence in the US population of 15-20% [1].

2. Among working-age people, 50% admit to back symptoms each year; and, back symptoms are the most common cause of disability for persons under age 45 [2].

3. Reputation speaks volumes. All of our physicians and therapists are members in good standing with their respective associations (IL Chiropractic Society, the IL Physical Therapists' Association, the American Medical Association and more) & have logged hundreds of hours in continuing education and other community service activities.

Recent studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care is more effective than both physical therapy and conventional medicine for the treatment of neck pain; however, researchers did not say that physical therapy was not effective, nor did they say that medication doesn't help or accelerate the healing process. Sufferers of neck pain have tried combining two or three methods for treatment (chiropractic, physical therapy and conventional medicine) simultaneously, but not through a coordinated resource/clinic.

In 2004, we have opened our new, state-of-the-art, 1,000 sq. ft. rehabilitation suite, adjoined to our existing 2,600 sq. ft. suite. We believe that physical therapy and physical medicine complement chiropractic treatments, particularly when care is properly structured and thoroughly integrated into a coordinated treatment plan. In other words, our rehabilitation program is integrated, not outsourced. We know that when chiropractors, physical therapists and general practitioners work as a team on a case-by-case basis, patients benefit from the best of today's medical expertise for optimal results and full recovery.

4. We are specialists in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. First Health Associates is a straightforward practice, limited to the treatment of musculoskeletal complaints, primarily back and neck pain. We do work with the more common of the extremity maladies such as rotator cuff, tennis elbow, and muscular-based headache syndromes. We provide chiropractic treatments and therapies, and comprehensive physical therapy for rehabilitation and/or recovery. We do not treat systemic or visceral disorders and will refer these conditions to specialists.

5. We set targets for improvement within reasonable trial periods. All patients we accept for care are done so on a four-week clinical trial basis; patients who do not show a 50% improvement (on average) within four weeks are referred back to the original physician's office.

6. We provide written reports to the referring physician's office within 48 hours of the referred patient's initial visit. Each patient is given a detailed orthopedic history and exam. All findings and treatment recommendations are documented to the referring physician in a Report of Findings.

7. We accept all major insurance plans, including Medicare. We have contracted with most major managed care programs including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare and PHCS. We verify each patient's coverage and provide written estimates of care based on information provided and established protocols within our profession. We take extra care to ensure that our mutual patients understand their financial obligations after the exam, but before treatment begins.

[1]. Source - US Department of Health & Human Services, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, "Acute Low Back Problems in Adults", AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642, (Rockville, MD: December 1994), pg. 5.
[2]. Source - Ibid.

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