Back pain sufferers to get acupuncture on NHS
People who suffer from backache will be able to receive acupuncture treatment on the NHS, according to official guidelines. *
For the first time, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has explicitly backed complementary therapies, and the move will be welcomed by many patients who suffer from the debilitating condition.
Millions of patients have back problems, which cost the UK billions of pounds in sick leave, welfare bills and medical treatment.
NICE says that anyone with persistent pain should have a choice of treatments and recommends that GPs refer patients for up to nine sessions with an osteopath, chiropractor, physiotherapist or acupuncturist.
Professor Peter Littlejohns, NICE Clinical and Public Health Director, said: “This is variation in current clinical practice, so this new NICE guideline means that for the first time we now have the means for a consistent national approach to managing low back pain.
“Importantly, patients whose pain is not improving should have access to a choice of different therapies including acupuncture, structured exercise and manual therapy.”
Dr Dries Hettinga, of the charity BackCare, said: “This offers a real choice for patients. This guideline will help patients understand what treatment and care can help them with their back pain and shows that there can be a positive outlook for treating this condition.”
Many of Westfield Health’s cash plans cover the cost of acupuncture, up to set limits, on the therapy treatment benefit.
Acupuncture can be used to help tackle conditions ranging from musculoskeletal disorders to stress, anxiety and phobias as well as addiction issues.
The therapy treatment benefit also covers physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment.
For more information on the Advantage Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/advantage/index.asp
For more information on the Good4you Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual-health-plans/health-cash-plan.asp
For more information on the Westfield Flex Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/flex/index.asp
Reference:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/may/24/back-pain-sufferers-acupuncture-nhs
© Westfield Health Insurance 2012
- Personal Health Cover
- Health Cash Plan
- Health Insurance / Surgery Cover
- To sell
- As an employee benefit
- Corporate plans for your staff
- Westfield health insurance plans
- Advantage
- Foresight
- Westfield Flex
- Chamber Plan
- Institute of Directors Plan
- EASE
- Already have a health plan?
- My Westfield
- Cash Plan information
- Claim forms
- Fun and games
- GP Telephone Helpline
