Covid Restrictions On Primary Health Care Providers Compromising Health Of New Zealanders

Continued COVID-19 restrictions on access to significant numbers of hands-on primary healthcare practices are compromising the mental and physical health of thousands of people, warns the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA).

Ironically the harmful restrictions continue as the 2021 Nobel prize in Medicine or Physiology is given to researchers for work which sheds new light on how hands on therapy, such as chiropractic, improves pain and other conditions by converting physical sensations into electrical messages in the nervous system.

NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: `US researchers

Professor David Julius and Professor Ardem Patapoutian have shown how our bodies convert physical sensations into electrical messages in the nervous system. They have identified the different type of receptors that are activated in response to mechanical force or touch. These touch and temperature sensors have since been shown to have a wide role in the body and in some diseases, such as chronic pain, how our body regulates its core temperature and multiple roles from urinating to blood pressure.’

`As chiropractors we see these effects from working in our practices. Other research shows how chiropractic can help mitigate the mental health effects of pandemic isolation[1]. It is frustrating that our members have seen a sharp rise in people seeking care during the pandemic yet during Level 3, chiropractic practices remained closed to anything but an incredibly restrictive criteria for urgent care. While telehealth options over a video consultation can suit certain cases, it is of very limited benefit for hands-on providers. Even Level 2 restrictions impact on the flow and viability of some practices with Auckland facing prolonged difficulties’.

Chiropractors provide care for the public in a wide range of health concerns, including spinal problems, posture, certain neurological issues and chronic pain. The pandemic has seen heightened levels of mental health concerns such as anxiety, sleeping difficulties and stress related disorders. The new Nobel awarded research confirms how chiropractors are able to help many people through their ability to assist the nervous system. There has also been an increase in the number of people seeking chiropractic care for postural related strain and stress from working at home. These health concerns highlight how important it is that the public can have access to chiropractors during increasing alert levels.

Jenna Duehr points out: ‘Most other countries are allowing highly skilled allied health workers such as chiropractors to continue, even under elevated levels with appropriate PPE and infection controls. Are primary healthcare providers less trusted than real estate agents, supermarkets and takeaway restaurants to manage Covid-19 precautions?’

The NZCA, the peak body for chiropractic in New Zealand says that the Ministry of Health restrictions are particularly hard on chiropractors that depend on hands-on interactions and are paid out of pocket fees by the public. They are highly trained health professionals who have excellent knowledge and ability to screen for COVID symptoms, practice infection control and appropriate PPE use, and have exceptional contact tracing information built into their patient management systems already.

Jenna Duehr adds: `Chiropractors and their clients who depend on their services are being severely affected by the pandemic response. Of course, many industries are struggling but at least some can still operate with physical distancing or click and collect and still have some income. Our members face a gruelling scenario if rolling lockdowns continue and it is going to end up costing the country in deteriorating public health and elevated longer term healthcare costs’.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders practising in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise.

[1] https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2017/oct/gentle-touch-soothes-pain-social-rejection

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