Praise for Chiropractic Comes from Unlikely Source

December 15th, 2011

Praise for Chiropractic

Praise for chiropractic recently came from an unlikely source, namely, Orthopedics Today, which featured an article titled,

“Time to Recognize Value of Chiropractic Care? Science and Patient Satisfaction Surveys Cite Usefulness of Spinal Manipulation.”

In the article, Jack Zigler, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon with the Texas Back Institute, states, “There are a lot of myths about chiropractic care.

Chiropractic and Medical Education More Similar than Dissimilar

Medical Community Gives Praise To Chiropractic

I decided to look into each of these myths, and what I found is that chiropractic education, side-by-side, is more similar to medical education than it is dissimilar. Chiropractors work for us as screeners for surgical pathology. They can do the same work-up and send the patient who has already gone through his conservative treatment and had all his diagnostic work done to the surgeon.”

Additionally, Scott Haldeman, DC, MD, PhD stated, “About 10 to 12 international guidelines have suggested that there is some benefit to chiropractic spinal adjustments.
If we look at their basic guidelines, manipulation has consistently been accepted by independent government and scientific bodies as being a valid form of treatment.”

Andrew Cole, MD, associate clinical professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington and recent past president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, gave the strongest overall endorsement when he said, “Overall, chiropractic has the advantage of reducing pain, decreasing medication, rapidly advancing physical therapy and requiring fewer passive modalities.”

Reference:
Time to recognize value of chiropractic care? Science and patient satisfaction surveys cite usefulness of spinal manipulation. Orthopedics Today 2003 Feb; 23(2):14-15.

Consider Chiropractic!

Considering chiropractic is not a leap of faith, but rather a well reasoned choice for helping you to achieve your best life now!

Categories Chiropractic Treament
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Chiropractic Care – Antiquated, Or Ahead Of The Times?

by Dr. Daniel M. Barr, D. C.

October 5th, 2011

Chiropractic Care – Antiquated, Or Ahead Of The Times?

Many people have a misconception about chiropractic and the critical role it plays in health and well-being. That misconception is that chiropractic care is limited to treating back and neck pain. Although many people have experienced relief from back and neck pain through chiropractic services, the foundation, intent, and vision of chiropractic is far beyond simply helping to reduce symptoms.

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine,but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
Thomas A. Edison,  U.S. inventor (1847 – 1931)

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The History of Chiropractic Care

The roots of chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived from 460 to 357 B.C., also published texts detailing the importance of chiropractic care. In one of his writings he declares, “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases”.

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No Longer A Luxury – Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain

by Dr. Daniel M. Barr, D. C.

October 5th, 2011

No Longer A Luxury – Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain

Low back pain treatment is no longer an option in today’s fast paced society. Recent research shows that adults have an 80% probability of suffering at least one acute low back pain attack in their lives – and that over 31 million people are suffering with low back pain at any given time. That’s not all – take a look at the list below.

Walking upright on two feet has advantages, but it also puts intense pressure on the spine, as well as on other muscles and bones. Add to this improper sitting, lifting, or reaching—and the normal wear and tear of working and playing—and you have the perfect recipe for back pain. That’s why back pain is the 2nd most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, some experts say, as many as 80% of us will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.
Back injuries are a part of everyday life. They can cause a sharp pain or a dull ache and can be accompanied by a tingling, numbness, or burning sensation. You may also feel weakness, pain, or tingling in your pelvis and upper leg—a condition known as sciatica. The spine is quite good at dealing with back injuries. Minor injuries usually heal within a day or two. Some pain, however, continues.

Chiropractic Care for Back Pain
Among people seeking back pain relief alternatives, most choose chiropractic treatment. About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually. Of these, 7.7 million, or 35%, are seeking relief from back pain from various causes, including accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains. Other complaints include pain in the neck, arms, and legs, and headaches.

The direct and indirect cost to society of lower back pain has been estimated to be approximately $50 billion dollars annually. In fact, lower back pain is the most common cause of disability in people under age 45, and of the $27 billion spent on all musculoskeletal trauma, $16 billion is spent in the management of low back pain, with more than half of that $16 billion being spent on surgical treatment.

Categories Chiropractic Treament
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Chiropractic Care For Headaches: Chiropractors Were Right

by Dr. Daniel M. Barr, D. C.

October 5th, 2011

Chiropractic Care For Headaches: Chiropractors Were Right

Chiropractic and the Cervicogenic Headache Model
Until recently, the medical understanding of headaches has not taken into account the chiropractic model. The concept that headache pain can originate from cervical dysfunction is still completely foreign to most of the medical profession. Noted researcher Nikolai Bogduk, MD, PhD, professor of anatomy at Newcastle, Australia, commented: “The people in control of the headache field seemingly have not, cannot, or will not, recognize this paradox … that the model for cervicogenic headache is not only the best evolved of all headaches but is testable in vivo, in patients with headache complaints. No other form of headache has that facility.”

Several years ago, a Canadian anesthesiologist, Peter Rothbart, MD, FRCPC, came to the same conclusions about the cervicogenic headache. Dr. Rothbart made many observations in his own pain management practice, which subsequently led to an article in the Toronto Star, the most widely read newspaper in Canada. The Toronto Star article, “A Pain in the Neck,” was subtitled: “Chiropractors were right.”

“Many headaches are caused by damaged structures in the neck — and scientific evidence proves it.” The article explained that years ago, French medical professor Robert Maigne “came to believe that many headaches originated with a structural problem in the neck.” He was “thought to be a lunatic,” said Dr. Rothbart. But others took up Dr. Maigne’s work, including Dr. Nikolai Bogduk.

In 1995, a team of MDs at Syracuse University established neck problems as the cause of many headaches “with scientific, anatomical proof.” Dr. Rothbart termed the Syracuse results “a minor miracle.” In the Toronto Star article, Dr. Rothbart made several insightful comments:

“Some brilliant people have put their hearts, souls and minds to this (headache) problem and haven’t come up with anything. All we’ve been able to do is treat people with an array of medicines, one after the other, and hope the side effects won’t be too bad.

Categories Chiropractic Treament
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What is Chiropractic Care?

by Dr. Daniel M. Barr, D. C.

October 5th, 2011

What is Chiropractic Care?

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”

The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Categories Chiropractic Treament
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