MESSA benefits help relieve back, neck pain

Take a look inside Amanda Walker’s third-grade classroom.

Her day includes helping students reach for books, writing math problems on the board, walking around the classroom, and bending down to give hugs. It amounts to a lot of standing, walking, bending and stretching throughout the day.

All that movement can be challenging for Walker, who has degenerative disc disease. This condition causes the discs in her spine to bulge and press on nerves, leading to numbness in her arms and hands that can last for hours or weeks.

Walker credits her MESSA health plan with helping her manage her symptoms, as it covers chiropractic and massage therapy treatments. All MESSA health plans cover chiropractic and massage therapy treatments; some restrictions apply.

“It’s been very helpful in dealing with that disorder,” said Walker, who teaches at Bay City Public Schools. “One option was to get steroid injections into my spine, which sounds very terrifying. But luckily, I didn’t have to do that because I have preventive care and that’s keeping me from needing to do something more invasive.”

Last year, over 46% of MESSA members filed claims for musculoskeletal-related conditions, making it the most common health issue among members. Musculoskeletal ailments are common among teachers worldwide, with 80% having some form of associated condition, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Becky Wilkins, a teacher at Saginaw Public Schools, also appreciates her chiropractic and massage therapy benefits.

“Teaching is very demanding,” Wilkins said. “You’re on your feet a lot, so the chiropractic care is exceptional.”

To learn the details of your MESSA plan’s chiropractic and massage therapy coverage, log into your MyMESSA.