As you drive through a city, a town, a suburb or even a small rural town, you may see many local businesses. Without a doubt,  included in these businesses you probably will see a local chiropractor. You may wonder what it is that this local chiropractor does.  A chiropractic physician (or ‘practitioner’ depending on the state language) is a doctor, who, by conservative means, evaluates and treats many ailments that one may encounter. The term chiropractic literally means “to do by hand”. This translates more generally to a treatment method in which doctors of chiropractic utilize a ‘hands-on’ approach to healthcare. Specifically, a chiropractor will use a spinal manipulation to affect the ailment, in historical cases a vertebral subluxation complex. The subluxation complex results in a misalignment of a vertebral segment which results in altered nerve function. Nerve dysfunction may result in anything from decreased organ function to pain to nerve symptoms to altered joint mechanics. It is largely disagreed upon what the subluxation is or if it even exists, however there is much literature about the effects of spinal manipulation itself. 

A Natural Approach to Healthcare

There are many varying treatment techniques that one chiropractor may do versus another that you may encounter in a given town. For example one chiropractor that you may visit will utilize treatment via spinal manipulation only to have a desired effect on a given ailment. Contrast this with another chiropractor who may utilize spinal manipulation in conjunction with other therapies ranging from physiotherapy modalities including electric stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, diathermy, micro-current, heat, cold and many more. In addition to modalities, such a chiropractor might use exercise and rehabilitation and various soft tissue techniques or a mixture of all of the above depending on the patient. Over the past 20+ years, chiropractic has been viewed as part of CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) therapy and in many cases integrated into mainstream medicine. There are varying philosophies and divergent views within the profession, but regardless of these facts and diversity, at the heart of the profession is a natural approach to healthcare which is treatment without drugs and surgery.  It has been successful as well, at least in the public opinion, as according to a 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a survey of CAM. Approximately 8 percent of adults and 3 percent of children (which is more than 2 million) had received a manipulation either done by an osteopathic or a chiropractic physician over the course of one year. If you seek out treatment for muscle, joint, nerve pain, chiropractic treatment is a viable option which does not include the side effect of drugs or surgery.

References Cited in this Article

Definition of Chiropractor    http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2707

Chiropractic as spine care: a model for the profession  Chiropractic and Manual Therapies.  Nelson, Lawrence  http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/13/1/9

Chiropractic: An Introduction from the NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)    http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm

2.) You don’t want to age like Dora.

3.) You don’t have a fish to take care of you.

4.) You remember this show.

5.) Neck Problems

Chiropractic medicine is a beneficial complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The profession has become more widely embraced by patients and other healthcare providers as a legitimate conservative treatment option for people who suffer from musculoskeletal problems. When a patient chooses a physician for their healthcare needs, they want to make sure that they are choosing the best specialist for their individual health needs. It is difficult to say who the “best” chiropractors are because that opinion is just that, an opinion. Because within the chiropractic profession there are many different forms of care provided, as a patient, it is a personal choice as to who they would like to choose as their chiropractic physician. Chiropractic physicians hold different practice philosophies and employ different techniques when treating their patients. For these reasons, prospective patients who are considering chiropractic care for treatment often times ask their primary care physician or family and friends for recommendations. Doing an online search of chiropractic physicians in an area is a good choice as well. This search will allow the patient to view pictures of the clinic, read about the doctor and their education, to see which forms of care they offer and what types of payment options are available.

Ask Questions

 When looking for an appropriate chiropractic physician to treat individual health needs, a patient should ask questions about the doctor’s treatment style. Are the spinal manipulations low force adjustments? Does the chiropractor use an activator tool more often than a manual adjustment? Is the chiropractic physician well experienced in treating the disorder that you are seeking help for? Does the chiropractor work well with other healthcare providers that you may be referred to? There are several statements that are red flags for a patient if they hear them from the chiropractic physician. If a chiropractor claims to a patient that their spinal manipulations can cure cancer, arthritis or other chronic health conditions, this would be a reason to choose a different chiropractor. Some chiropractors will offer spinal consultations to new patients and then ask them to sign up for prolonged treatment plans that are not medically necessary. These prolonged plans include signing up for 3 chiropractic visits per week for 6 to 12 months followed by 2 visits per week for an additional 6 to 12 months and then once per week for another 6 to 12 months. This would not be the best chiropractic physician choice. Once a patient is educated on the chiropractic profession and the differences between doctors, they will be able to confidently choose a provider that is a good fit for them.

References Cited in this Article

www.spine-health.com

www.consumerresearchcncl.org

Acid Reflux or GERD stands for gastro esophageal reflux disease.  This is a medical condition in which acid, bile, and partially-digested food in the stomach backs up into the esophagus.  This food contains a strong acid; when it comes in contact with the esophagus causes irritation, inflammation, and pain.  The stomach layer contains a mucous lining that protects against such acids; however, this lining doesn’t line the esophagus making it vulnerable.  Typically, this condition happens right after a meal and causes an uncomfortable burning irritation behind the sternum.  It just so happens that most patients with GERD also suffer from hiatal hernias in addition.  A hiatal hernia is when part of the stomach bulges into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle.  It’s approximated that one in four Americans experience heartburn once a month.  Some additional GERD facts include: about 15 million Americans experience heartburn every day, it is extremely common during pregnancy about 50% of women; most GERD patients also have hiatal hernias, affecting 15% of patients. 

Treatment of GERD

GERD may be treated with diet changes, medication, or surgery.  When patients remove daily factors which cause significant symptoms a substantial reduction overall is noted.    A change to diet along with pharmaceutical medication and/or natural supplements improves symptomatology.  Triggers to GERD include but are not limited to: alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, tea, coffee, spicy foods, and fatty foods.  Other factors that contribute to GERD include: cigarette smoking, overweight and obesity, stomach sleeping, and restrictive clothing on the abdomen.  Some guidelines to live by to reduce or eliminate GERD are the following: quit smoking, eat a proper diet, eat smaller meals more times a day for satiety instead of a few larger meals, sleep with the your head raised a few inches, avoid eating 2-3 hours prior to bedtime, avoid restrictive clothing or belts, and avoid trigger foods that exacerbate the symptoms. 

Chiropractic and GERD

Since Chiropractors work with the ever-important nervous system, they affect the nerves that correspond with the stomach and esophagus.  They will check for interference within the nerve pathways to restore optimal capacity to these organs.  A reduction or complete elimination of symptoms and often medication is noted when Chiropractic care is introduced to the health regimen. 

MUA

Manipulation under anesthesia, or MUA, was once a procedure that was performed by doctors of osteopathy in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In the late 1980’s, a group of chiropractors in Texas began the procedure again, and since then, it has remained a source of controversy between MD’s and chiropractic physicians. This group of physicians in Texas began developing protocol for the procedure and concluded that for successful treatment, a patient would be recommended for three rounds of MUA consecutively. The patients to receive treatment were selected and all had common histories of failed surgeries or were people who had undergone many years of conservative care such as physical therapy and chiropractic care and were not approved as candidates for spinal surgery. Manipulation under anesthesia is generally considered to be a safe and effective procedure for people suffering from neck, back and joint pain and from muscles that have shortened or have chronic spasm. MUA is a procedure that has been studied and has been shown to offer an improvement of pain and dysfunction in patients who receive the treatment. For more detailed information of the success rate of manipulation under anesthesia, go to www.spine-health.com.

The Procedure

When it has been determined that a patient may benefit from manipulation under anesthesia, the procedure will be scheduled and take place at either a hospital or surgical center. MUA has been done to help treat issues of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as the pelvis and sacroiliac area. The procedure is performed either under general anesthesia, with the patient mildly sedated or immediately after the injection of an anesthetic solution into certain soft tissues of the spinal region The patient is put under anesthesia by a licensed anesthesiologist and the manipulation is done by a chiropractic physician who is trained and certified to perform a MUA. There is an assistant present during the procedure, also a chiropractic physician who is certified in MUA. While under sedation, along with receiving spinal manipulation, a patient may also undergo passive stretching to the muscles near the joints to help break up scar tissue and to reduce muscle spasm. This stretching is done more easily during MUA because the muscles are completely relaxed. A patient who is an appropriate candidate for this procedure is typically someone who has received many forms of conservative care with no long term success. They may feel temporary relief from pain, but for reasons such as scar tissue formation around the joints from an injury, the pain they feel becomes chronic. It is important to speak with a chiropractic physician who is certified in MUA if you feel you may benefit from the treatment.

References Cited in this Article

www.dynamicchiropractic.com

www.spine-health.com

There are two different types of Spondylolisthesis’ and they include an Anteriolisthesis and a Retrolisthesis.  In an Anteriolisthesis the vertebra has slipped anterior or forward in relation to the bone below.  In contrast, a Retrolisthesis is when the vertebra has slipped posterior or backwards in relation to the bone below.  Spondylo’s is the abbreviated name and are based on a grading scale from 1 to 4.  A degree 1 Spondylo is mild while a degree 4 is very severe and a 100% slippage.  Individuals suffering from a mild Spondylo may not even possess any pain and will only have it brought to their attention on x-ray incidentally.  Patients suffering from a grade 3 and 4 Spondylo are usually in your office because they are in severe pain and want you to get them out of it.  These are severe cases and must be handled with delicately and efficiently.  Many times these are surgical cases that can only be treated with surgical fusion of the bone or in between the vertebra themselves. 

Chiroporactic care

If the case is mild and less severe in nature then the patient may benefit from Chiropractic care with adjustments to above or below the specific Spondylo. A Chiropractor will never adjust directly on the bone that is displaced either forward or backward for fear of further displacing it.  The Chiropractor may also incorporate a technique called Chiropractic BioPhysics depending again on the severity of the curve abnormality.  If mild, they will introduce mechanical traction to the area of the spine in need of correction.  They will also introduce passive therapies like massage therapy, acupuncture, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, diathermy, and core strengthening rehabilitation exercises to correctly and safely decrease pain, local inflammation, and strengthen weak and inhibited muscle groups.  A Chiropractor will make the necessary referral if the patient is not responding to the Chiropractic treatment program or if the case is beyond the scope of practice of a Chiropractor. 

Talk to your Dr.

It is important to talk to your primary care physician about your treatment options, expectations of care, and what to expect after treatment has begun and what to expect for months and years to come.  Individuals need to be cautious of their current and future activity levels to not further displace the vertebra.  In most cases, the Spondylo was caused from a high-impact activity like gymnastics or soccer (hyperextension injuries), trauma, or is a congenital finding (meaning the patient was born with it). 

Have you ever heard of a DABCI?  DABCI is the term used to describe the Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists.  These particular doctors specialize in diagnostic skills to diagnose and treat internal disorders.  They are the best when it comes to diagnosing chronic illnesses and in many instances can even help individuals who have been told they cannot be helped any further.  In addition, they are extremely educated diagnosing and treating disease.  DABCI practitioners have completed an additional 300 hours of post-doctoral   continuing education on human function and how diseases work in the body. 

Whole Person Treatment

Many individuals are not given dietary and lifestyle recommendations but rather prescribed a drug.  DABCI professionals look at the patient as a whole person instead of just the parts.  They analyze the blood work, appearance, function, and attitude to properly diagnose the individual.  They treat based on the cause of the condition rather than just the symptoms.  In most cases, many illnesses that modern medicine (allopathic doctors) cannot treat or cure, these particular practitioners are able to treat.  Chronic degenerative diseases such as Type II Diabetes can be significantly improved or even eliminated with correct supplementation.  These professionals are able to early detect health conditions before symptoms start.  Although these particular diagnostic tests have been around for many years, many allopathic doctors don’t recognize what to order, when to order them, or even how to explain the tests. 

Understanding Diagnostic Tests

Interpretation and the understanding of the tests is what make the absolute difference.  DABCI doctors however do understand that in emergency situations or critical care, the hospital is the best place for a patient.  They are not ignorant to this determination.  DABCI doctors agree that through lifestyle modifications and proper nutrition and supplementation many diseases can be reversed or completely eliminated overall.  It is difficult for many patients to change their habits and balance their nutrition.  This is not performed in one day and may take a while to adapt to. 

Supliments

Many health conditions can be eliminated fast with some health modifications to their overall health habits or their supplementation they consume.  Remember, not all supplements are created equal and this is the absolute truth!  Just because a supplement is on sale at “Wal-mart,” doesn’t mean it’s better than a supplement you can get at your DABCI’s office or the local health food store.  Be sure to read the labels and when in doubt ask your DABCI professional. 

General Information

When one thinks of x-rays, images of bones on a sheet film being held up by the latest and greatest television physician usually come to mind. Or perhaps the brain conjures up memories of falling off a bicycle in early childhood, and the cold dark room with that hard table at the hospital where they told you to lie still. X-rays have become a staple in the diagnostics of today’s medicine. They are pieces of solid concrete evidence betraying illness and affliction of all kinds. As such, these waves of electromagnetic radiation and the images they produce can dictate the course of one’s healthcare.

Chiropractic use for X-Rays

Naturally they can reveal a broken femur or wrist, but they are also very complementary to the chiropractic field and massage. X-rays have the ability to illuminate problem areas so that chiropractors can better target them. This leads to better treatment and an overall faster recovery. In addition, x-rays can show the progress being made in treatment. Worried about the radiation levels? A person actually receives more radiation (from our sun) during an hour in an airplane than they do when getting a chest x-ray!

What is chiropractic health care? Chiropractic health care is a collection of non-invasive methods, techniques, and adjustments with a focus on the musculoskeletal system. It can also include massage (to relax muscles and stimulate the blood-flow, thereby increasing the areas overall perfusion) and acupuncture to further enhance treatments. While chiropractics can treat a variety of pre-existing ailments, an advantage that chiropractic health care has is that it can be very proactive: the preventative maintenance of the body, as opposed to a reactive treatment.

In that regard, chiropractics can maintain or increase a person’s range of motion and stimulate joint-spaces the same way a person would change the oil in their car to keep their engine running smoothly. Chiropractic health care is a common referral for post-operative patients as well as those recovering from injury, but in itself can be an alternative to surgery altogether.

Are you interested in taking an alternative approach to your healthcare?  Many Americans are now taking a holistic route instead of conventional medicine and choosing to seek out Chiropractors as their primary health care providers.  Chiropractors have the same number of years of schooling as medical doctors.  They must possess a Bachelor’s degree in the health sciences and go on to complete the 4-year doctorate degree in Chiropractic medicine.  They take about 70 classes and over 4,500 classroom hours in the following subject matter: human anatomy and physiology, pathology, kinesiology, dermatology, embryology, histology, gynecology, clinical neurology, orthopedic testing and range of motion evaluation, physiotherapy, biochemistry, nutrition, philosophy, radiology, cadaver lab, and clinical hands-on manipulation to name a few.  Once completed with the basic requirements, the student enters as an intern in the student clinic for four month, and the outpatient clinic for an additional 12 months.  As a student intern they are evaluated and monitored by Chiropractic clinicians on diagnosis, technique, radiology, and appropriate referral.  They must possess over 25 physicals in the chiropractic clinics, take 10 x-rays, and read many labs and x-rays in addition to performing over 250 manipulation treatments. 

A clinic

A Chiropractic clinic may be set up many ways from open-bay adjusting to private rooms, massive clinics to 1000 sq ft clinics, etc.  Some Chiropractors choose to work solo while others prefer to employ massage therapists, physical therapists, medical doctors, podiatrists, colon therapists, yoga instructors, medical assistants, chiropractic assistants, medical billing personnel, and acupuncturists.  While some Chiropractors strictly do manipulation of the spine and extremities only, others offer many different physiotherapy modalities such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, cold laser treatments, hot/cold packs, spinal decompression, whirlpool beds, and inter-segmental traction tables.