Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Manoa Chiropractic and Therapeutic Massage

2851 E Manoa Road Suite 1-205

Honolulu, HI 96822 US

808-988-6113

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • Appointment Request
  • Services & Techniques
  • No Fault
  • Workers Compensation
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Wellness >
  • Health Statistics and You

Health Statistics and You

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Wellness

We are awash in numbers, thanks in large part to the proliferation of personal mobile devices and the wrong-headed use of so-called big data.1 But applying statistical tools to the same set of data can support competing theories and lead to contradictory results. Such conflicting outcomes, known as antinomies if you remember Philosophy 101, cannot logically co-exist, and the field of statistics gets a bad reputation as a result. But big data can provide substantial value for people as individual patients. The key is to set some ground rules and understand the limitations of statistical investigation.

First and foremost, it's important to gain some clarity regarding the concept of false positives in regards to health. This statistical construct is familiar to all of us, although we may not be aware of it. If one of your doctors sends you for a laboratory test and the results are "positive", you'll be sent for follow-up tests until a final determination is made. If the final test turns out "negative", then the earlier results represented a false positive. The test results said you had the condition or disease, but in fact you did not.

False positives create numerous serious problems, not the least of which is the emotional toll of stress, anxiety, and fear experienced by the patient and her family and close friends. This is especially true when the suspected disease is a malignancy or other serious, life-threatening condition. It's useful and empowering for people to learn that 5% of all test results are falsely positive right from the start. Medical tests are designed this way. The 5% false positive rate is a necessary part of statistical analysis. It's built-in to the statistical design. In other words, test values that represent "normal" are obtained by cutting off the bottom 2.5% and the top 2.5% of a large sample of results from people who are "normal" for the thing being tested, such as white blood cell count or hemoglobin level.

Thus, 5% of normal people automatically have false positive results. Another way of stating this outcome is to consider that if you undergo a panel of 20 blood tests, one result (5% of 20) will be positive no matter what.

The vast majority of patients are not familiar with the statistical concept of false positive results.2 With a basic understanding of this construct and its implications, patients could ask their doctors meaningful questions such as, "What do the test results mean?", "Have you considered the possibility of a false positive result?", and "How will the additional tests you're recommending affect decision-making in my case?"

Posing such questions is tremendously empowering for you, the patient, and helps reestablish equity in the doctor-patient relationship.3 As a health care consumer, a little knowledge goes a long way. Gaining more than a little knowledge by reading articles on diagnostic methods and health care decision-making will further strengthen your own process as a patient.

1Bates DW, et al: Big data in health care: using analytics to identify and manage high-risk and high-cost patients. Health Aff (Millwood) 33(7):1123-31, 2014
2Paddock SM: Statistical benchmarks for health care provider performance assessment: a comparison of standard approaches to a hierarchical Bayesian histogram-based method. Health Serv Res 49(3):1056-73, 2014
3Stacey D, et al: Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochane Database Syst Rev 28;1:CD001431, 2014

  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Mental
      • Spiritual
      • Social
      • Physical
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Senior Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Wellness
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Staying Young
    • Staying Motivated
  • Wellness4Kids

Contact us today to learn more!

Sign-up using the form or call us at 808-988-6113 to get more information.

Office Hours

*Please note that we are only open every other Saturday at the moment. Please view our Google listing to verify we are open!

Monday:

9:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday:

9:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday:

9:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday:

9:00am - 1:30pm

Friday:

9:00am - 6:00pm

Saturday:

9:00am - 7:00pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Yelp Testimonials

Give us a review!

  • "First time trying a chiropractor, and needless to say I was not disappointed. They are very professional and quick to respond, great availability for my busy schedule!"
    Ella K.
  • "Dr. Kim is amazing! He's helped me through many different body injuries and is always such a joy! Definitely recommend seeing him!"
    U'ilani L.
  • "I've visited Dr. Kim and Charles about 30 times so far. They have done wonders for my chronic lower back pain that I've suffered with for the past 15 plus years. I highly recommend them and in fact many of my family members and friends have become their patients since my first visit in July 2018."
    Carlos Kaukahi S.
  • "Dr. Kim and his team of massage therapists and front desk assistants are the hidden gems of therapy. A good friend of mine introduced me to Manoa Chiropratic over a year ago. Since then my body has thanked me each time I walk out of there. Skilled, efficient and friendly! Plus, many folks don't know that this may be a coveted benefit through your insurance. Give them a go!"
    Casey P.
No form settings found. Please configure it.

Follow Us

Give us a review on Yelp!

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map