Seeing a physician or other health specialist for low back and neck pain? You’re not alone, according to a new scientific study. Americans in 2016 spent an estimated $380 billion on low back and neck pain, as well as on joint and limb pain, and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Among 154 conditions included in the study, low back and neck pain generated the highest expenditures at $134.5 billion. When combined with all other musculoskeletal disorders, such as joint and limb pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, the total exceeds $380 billion, or 14.1% of the $2.7 trillion spent on healthcare of all kinds in the U.S. in 2016.

Other health conditions with substantial spending in 2016 were diabetes ($111.2 billion), ischemic heart disease ($89.3 billion), and falls ($87.4 billion).

As expected, a combination of private and public insurance paid for the majority of those expenditures:

• Low back and neck pain—$76.9 billion paid by private insurance, $45.2 billion paid by public insurance, and $12.3 billion paid by individuals out-of-pocket

• Other musculoskeletal disorders—$73.3 billion paid by private insurance, $46.9 billion paid by public insurance, and $9.7 billion paid by individuals out-of-pocket

It’s entirely possible that these astronomical numbers could be lowered if more people experiencing back and neck pain first sought the help of a chiropractor, whose non invasive courses of treatment offer an alternative to expensive drugs and surgery.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.