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May 2009 |
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Adults Favor Chiropractic as
Preferred Care for Back Pain
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress issued a release published on May
6, 2009 in Earthtimes noting that according to a recent Consumer Reports
study, consumers ranked chiropractic highest for relief of back pain. The
release noted that Consumer Reports Health Rating Center surveyed over
14,000 people to determine their preferred method of care for back pain.
Chiropractic came out the highest with 59% choosing chiropractic.
Gerard
W. Clum, D.C., president of Life Chiropractic College West, Hayward,
California, and spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress,
commented, “Individuals who accessed care from a hands-on methods approach,
such as chiropractic, expressed the highest satisfaction rates.” Dr. Clum
continued, "
"These people sought relief,
having suffered with back pain that undoubtedly interfered with their
everyday activities and limited their daily routines, sleep patterns, work
responsibilities, and efforts to maintain healthy weight. Chiropractic care
provided the help they were looking for.”
The release notes that
traditionally, people thought first about drugs or surgery for back
ailments. This past misinformation created many problems. "Unfortunately,
this lack of information can lead to costly and unnecessary interventions
and diagnostic testing by physicians who take an 'ideological approach' to
back pain," says Dr. Clum. "It is wise to explore conservative options for
pain management once a more serious condition has been ruled out."
Dr. Clum noted the real value
of a study that actually asks consumers their opinion. "The Consumer Reports
survey is an example of end-user oriented research," he says. "As more
evidence emerges, we hope that physicians will start to shift from
traditional treatment ideology to approaches to back pain that would offer
more benefit to patients and avoid medication and surgery whenever and
wherever possible."
It is the hope of the
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
and Dr. Clum that the previous medical mind-set
will shift with this new information. Dr. Clum summed up his feelings by
saying, "The traditional, often outdated approaches may lead to
unnecessarily expensive and invasive treatment with undesirable results. It
is clear that patients now recognize and appreciate the benefits of
chiropractic care."
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Flu Prevention Plan Should
Include Chiropractic
The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health issued
a release on May 04, 2009 with the above headline urging people to include
chiropractic during this most recent flu scare. "People of all ages are
encouraged to add chiropractic to their strategy for warding off and
fighting the flu and its effects – swine flu or otherwise. Spinal
adjustments can have a positive effect on immune function according to a
growing number of researchers who are exploring the common denominators in
disease processes, and the role of the nervous, immune, and hormonal systems
in development of immune related illnesses."
Dr.
Christopher Kent a chiropractor and past recipient of the researcher of the
year award by the International Chiropractors Association stated,
"Contemporary research is beginning to shed light on the neurobiological
mechanisms which may explain the outstanding clinical results chiropractors
have experienced when managing patients with viral and infectious diseases."
Dr. Kent further explained:
“A comprehensive review of the research literature reveals the current
understanding that the brain and immune system are the two major adaptive
systems in the body. During an immune response, the brain and the immune
system 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining
homeostasis or balance in the body.”
According to the release,
chiropractic holds that viruses and microbes don't threaten us all equally
and that a healthy immune system easily repels most invaders. The immune
system protects us from the flu, as well as any other infectious disease,
and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. Our immune system,
like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled by the
nervous system. Helping the nervous system function at its optimal level is
accomplished by removing any interference caused by spinal subluxations.
The release noted that
Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu has historical roots. During
the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, it was estimated that 20 million people died
throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. During that time it
was chiropractic’s success in caring for flu victims that led to the
profession gaining recognition and official licensure in many states.
Researchers note that historical data in Davenport Iowa showed that out of
the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a
loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of
Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death.
Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, Editor
of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, commented, "These
results are not so surprising given what we now know about the interaction
between the nervous system and the immune system. Through research we know
that chiropractic has beneficial effects on immunoglobulins, B-lymphocytes
(white blood cells), pulmonary function and other immune system processes.”
Dr. McCoy summed up his
recommendations by saying, "In addition to the passive recommendations
regarding hand washing, avoiding large gatherings, coughing and sneezing
into your hands – it makes a great deal of sense to do everything you can to
ensure that your immune system is functioning at its best. And that strategy
should include chiropractic care."
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Chiropractic for Allergies
On May 7, 2009 a story was run on the ABC
affiliate, KSPR out of Springfield Missouri, which featured help for
allergies through chiropractic. In this story Jami Lynn Lilly was an allergy
sufferer who always had problems during the spring in Missouri. Her
allergies would give her sinus problems and cause her eyes to water. She
commented, "I get really bad sinus infections, for weeks I just look like
I’m bawling all the time"
Jami
finally decided to go to a chiropractor for her problem. After her first
visit she reported improvement. She described the experience by saying, "He
adjusted me one time for it, two three days my nose just drained and then I
was fine after that."
Jami's chiropractor, Dr.
Baca, was also interviewed in the news story and he raised an interesting
question. "If there’s an allergy floating around out there what makes one
person susceptible to it, when it doesn't make all of us susceptible." He
then explained that the nervous system is the key. He stated, "Your nervous
system controls every aspect of your body, including your immune system."
The story noted that the
nervous system is the master controller of the body. The spine protects the
spinal cord thus protecting the messages that are carried over the nervous
system. According to the article, Dr. Baca explained that, "If one of the
vertebrae on your spine is out of place it could be putting pressure or
irritating one of your nerves. Maybe the nerve that controls your sinuses,
your head, your throat or your immune system."
He further explained that
this could be the reason why one person is susceptible to allergies while
another in the same environment is not, "This person's immune system isn't
functioning as well as this person's immune system so it can't fight the
allergen off like it should."
Jami explained that she never
knew that chiropractic could help her allergies. She said, "I never knew it;
I just came because my neck was bothering me." The news story concludes by
noting that. "Jami is a big believer now. She's allergy free and passing the
word on about allergies and chiropractic."
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Medical Conflict of Interest
On April 28, 2009, the
Institutes of Medicine released a report titled, "Conflict of Interest in
Medical Research, Education, and Practice." This large report starts off by
noting that there are some benefits from collaborations between physicians,
medical researchers and pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. But the
report goes on to note, "However, relationships between medicine and
industry may create conflicts of interest, potentially resulting in undue
influence on professional judgments."
In
2007, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) appointed the Committee on Conflict of
Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice to examine conflicts
of interest. This committee was chaired by Dr. Bernard Lo, chair of the
committee that wrote the report and professor of medicine at the University
of California, San Francisco.
The report also generated an
article in the April 29, 2009 New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) as well
as news stories like the one that ran on April 28, 2009 in the Reuters UK
news service. In the Reuters article Dr. Lo commented, "It is time to end a
number of long-accepted practices that create unacceptable conflicts of
interest, threaten the integrity of the medical profession, and erode public
trust while providing no meaningful benefits to patients or society." He
then added, "We also need more specific disclosure of the financial
relationships that doctors and researchers have with medical industries."
In the NEJM article, author,
Robert Steinbrook, M.D noted that in 2007, nearly half of the $2.54 billion
in income for continuing education for medical doctors was from companies
with a product in the marketplace. The suggestion being that the ongoing
education that doctors take is funded and directed by companies with products and services to sell and therefore have a financial
stake in what medical doctors do in their practices.
The report also noted
problems with basic medical education in the schools themselves and urges
professional societies, government agencies and groups that accredit medical
schools to push for implementation of conflict-of-interest policies.
The committee added, "If medical institutions do not act voluntarily to
strengthen their conflict of interest policies and procedures, the pressure
for external regulation is likely to increase."
The report contained many
recommendations to address the problems. These include:
- Physicians should not
lend their names to ghostwritten articles or participate in presentations
that industry sources can control.
- Physicians should not
accept drug samples "except in certain situations for patients who lack
financial access to medications."
- Drug and device
companies should establish and enforce policies "against providing
physicians with gifts, meals, drug samples."
- Members of an
institution (research, education, clinical care, academic) should disclose
all financial ties to industry, with no dollar-limit attached to the
recommendation.
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Retired U.S. Army General Speaks
Out for Chiropractic
On April 30, 2009 The
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to increasing public awareness of chiropractic, issued a release
announcing that Retired U.S. Army
Brigadier
General Becky Halstead will serve as its spokesperson and share with the
public her positive experiences with chiropractic care. Halstead served 27
years with the United States Army, and was the first female in U.S. history
to command in combat at the strategic level. She is also a big supporter of
chiropractic care.
She noted as she described
her deployment. "The year I was deployed to Iraq I missed my friends and
family -- and my chiropractor!" asserts Halstead. Presently chiropractic
care is available through the U.S. armed forces healthcare delivery system
at only approximately 25 percent of the military treatment facilities.
“Personally, I hope someday that chiropractic care becomes part of all our
military's healthcare programs, so that all soldiers can have the
opportunity to benefit from the care that only a doctor of chiropractic can
provide.”
In the Foundation's release
General Halstead commented, “I have always been grateful for the care of my
chiropractor and feel it is an essential part of not only preventing more
serious health concerns, but also assisting in the recovery from strains and
other injuries,” adds Halstead. The retired General continued
by saying, “I have always been grateful for the care of my chiropractor and
feel it is an essential part of not only preventing more serious health
concerns, but also assisting in the recovery from strains and other
injuries,” adds Halstead. “My chiropractor is genuinely interested in me, my
life and my health, and takes a holistic approach to my wellness.”
Halstead, a 1981 West Point
graduate summed up her remarks about chiropractic by saying,
“(Chiropractic), allows me to be part of the solution and encourages me to
be part of my own wellness plan. One of the greatest emotions in the world
is relief, and that is exactly what my chiropractor provides me—a tremendous
amount of relief from my pain.”
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Chiropractic Helps Child with
Brain Disorder
In the April 20, 2009 issue
of the scientific journal, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family
Health, was a case study report of a young girl who had signs of cerebellar
ataxia that were completely eliminated with chiropractic care. Cerebellar
ataxia is a disorder that results in balance and coordination problems.
In
this case a 7 year old girl was brought to a chiropractic clinic for health
and wellness. In the course of examination tests were performed that showed
a brain malfunction consistent with cerebellar ataxia. Chiropractic care was
initiated for the presence of vertebral subluxations. The young girl was
seen weekly in the initial stages of care. By the fourth adjustment the
patient was re-tested and the specific findings of cerebellar ataxia were
gone.
Author of the paper, Dr.
Nicoleta Borcean explained this case by noting, “Basic science research
shows that the proper development and function of the brain relies on proper
structure and movement of the spine from an early age.”
She continued, “It makes
perfect sense when you think about it” stated Dr. Borcean. “The brain
constantly needs and wants to know where our body is in space. If there is
interference with the neurological communication between the spine and the
brain all sorts of malfunctions can occur.”
Dr. Matthew McCoy, a
chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the Journal of
Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health added, "There are very important
functional relationships between the spine and the brain that if disturbed
can result in a host of problems with how the brain functions”. According to
McCoy “Children’s nervous systems need the constant stimulation of movement
in order to develop and function properly. Abnormal position or movement of
the spinal vertebra can develop and this can lead to nerve interference. It
is this interference, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors
correct.”
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