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Manipulation Under Anesthesia - MUA

Better Health Center Newsletter - August 2008

What is MUA?

Manipulation under anesthesia, or MUA, is a desperate attempt by a small, but growing, collection of "chiropractors" to intertwine medicine and chiropractic into a single treatment that includes general anesthesia sedation and spinal manipulation. MUA costs several thousands of dollars per procedure.

Although in 20 years of practice, I have yet to personally meet one patient that I felt needed this procedure, I accept that there may be special circumstances that make MUA necessary and effective, and the potential risks more acceptable. The potential for disaster, and even death, from the anesthesia alone is significant and well-documented.

Interestingly, insurance typically pays either 100% of the cost, or none of the cost. Another interesting observation is that a large majority of MUA recipients are those with 100% insurance coverage. It is always good advice to get a second opinion before any major course of treatment is initiated. Effective care without serious risks and a substantially lower cost may be available.