Why Chiropractic?

Chiropractic and Asthma

2011-08-18T13:02:00.001-07:00

Child With Asthma Helped With Chiropractic - A Case Study

The scientific periodical, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, reports a case study published on August 4, 2011, documenting the improvement of a toddler with asthma while under chiropractic care.

The authors of the study begin by noting, "Chiropractors are the most common complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers visited by children and adolescents and among the most common reasons for seeking chiropractic care for children are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sleep problems, asthma, and sinusitis." They also noted how common a problem this is by stating, "Asthma in children is very prevalent in the general population with nine million U.S. children under 18 being diagnosed with asthma. In 2005, an estimated 7.7 percent of people (22.2 million) currently had asthma."

In this case, a 23-month-old girl was brought to the chiropractor by her parents for chiropractic care. She had been suffering from asthma, digestive problems, and was getting frequent colds. At the time of her initial chiropractic visit the child was on two different antibiotics, several different asthma medications and under regular medical care. Since the parents had been to a chiropractor, they decided to see if chiropractic could help their daughter.

A chiropractic examination showed an overall decrease in the child's neck range of motion, as well as multiple postural abnormalities. There were multiple areas of spinal sensitivity, and thermal heat reading of the spine showed imbalances. From the examination, a determination was made that subluxations were present in the neck and mid back of the little girl.

Subluxations are when one or more of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones of the spine. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.

Chiropractic care was initiated at the rate of 2-3 visits per week for the initial 4 weeks, then reduced in frequency. Regular re-evaluations were performed to monitor the child's progress. The case study reported that approximately 11 months after care was begun, the child’s parents reported a 90 percent improvement of their little girl’s condition with no more "real breathing episodes" being reported. Five months later, the child no longer needed asthma medication, and was much healthier overall.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment with Chiropractic Care

2010-11-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIfP4LElIBc
NJ NEWS - MS patient says, I quote "I never expected to turn my life around and walk again without any equipment". The Brain is the Control Center of THE ENTIRE BODY. ANY impingement on the communications to the body will DECREASE ALL FUNCTION of those organs which try to carry out the Brain's instructions.

Chiropractic Lifestyle Instead of Drugs?

2010-08-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

"I take aspirin for the headache caused by Zyrtec I take for the hayfever I got from Relenza for the uneasy stomach from the Ritalin I take for the short attention span caused by the Scopederm Ts I take for the motion sickness I got from the Lomotil I take for the diarrhea caused by the Zenikal for the uncontrollable weight gain from the Paxil I take for the anxiety from Zocor I take for my high cholesterol because exercise, a good diet, and regular chiropractic care are just to much trouble."
(this was taken from a photograph of a t-shirt that was posted on facebook. If you are the author of this please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due. The message is powerful and I wanted to share, thank you.)

Chiropractic is just to expensive as well. Spending your time money and energy bouncing from doctor to doctor, pharmacy to pharmacy, and dealing with the barrage of medicinal side effects is time well spent. You probably think your health problems are due to bad genes as well.

In my personal and strong opinion you shouldn't dump personal responsibility for your health and life so quickly. The solution to your health problems don't start in a doctor's office, a pharmacy, or in a bottle. The solution to your health problems start within you. When you are willing to accept that your lifestyle has a direct effect on your health you will be ready to truly begin to heal. Healing happens from within, without the help of a little purple pill. When you learn to balance your physical, mentally, spiritual, and emotional health you will be free. Free to be healthy, free to experience life to the fullest and freed from the shackles that western medicine is trying so hard to convince you is the only way to health.

Chiropractor on "The Doctors"

2009-02-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic and Colic

2009-01-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

Infantile Colic Improved with Chiropractic
The National Health Service in Ballerup (Copenhagen, Denmark) conducted a study involving 50 infants with diagnoses infantile colic. Half of the group was given the drug dimethicon while the other half was given chiropractic care. In this study nine of the 25 taking the drug dropped out of the study because the infants were getting worse. These infants were then not counted in the final results which would have shown a worse result for the drug than published.
Even with the removal from the tabulations of the infants who got worst using the drug, the results showed a significant improvement in the group that were under chiropractic care. By days 4 to 7 of the study, the infants remaining in the drug group had reduced their hours of crying by only one hour while the entire chiropractic group had reduced crying hours by an average of 2.4 hours. The results after 8 to 10 day into the study continued to show the drug therapy infants at a one hour improvement while the chiropractic group further improved to 2.7 hours less of crying. The researchers noted that the removal from the study of the infants that got worse from the drug made the results from the drug look better than they actually were.
Chiropractic Care Conquers Colic
The above title appeared in the December 1998 issue of Country Living's Healthy Living, beginning on page 53. The article details the concerns of a mom whose new baby was suffering from colic. The article featured the mother’s account of the situation starting from her initial phone call to the pediatrician. "When I phoned my doctor to ask if he thought it was safe (to see a chiropractor), he was ambivalent: Chiropractic would neither harm nor help. He told me that if it was colic, it would run its course in three months."
After this advice, her next stop was to take the child to the chiropractor. She recalled that the first visit was an extended one with a lot of time spent caring for the child and the parents. Following the first adjustment, the child seemed to be more reactive and colicky, but she followed the instructions given her by the chiropractor and the baby calmed right down. "We had five more sessions with the chiropractor. Each lasted 20 minutes and Lucy (the infant!) really seemed to enjoy them. It completely changed what was fast becoming a nightmare. I'd like to recommend to everyone with a colicky infant see a chiropractor. It certainly worked for us
Article on the web

Holistic Approach to Ear Infections

2009-01-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

by Lawrence P. Palvesky, M.D., F.A.A.P., A.B.H.M.
Jan-Feb 2003

It is 3am and your child wakes up complaining of ear pain. What can you do?

Ear pain is one of the most common complaints in the pediatric population. Parents exchange frequent stories about the number of times their child has taken a banana or cherry flavored antibiotic for one or more ear infections. It is the rare parent who sits by, not wanting to add to the anxiety of other parents, with the knowledge that their child has never taken an antibiotic for an ear ache. What's more, the child has never had a serious problem resulting from not using antibiotics.

When I went through my medical school and residency training, we were warned about the serious complications of allowing an ear infection to progress without antibiotic treatment-mastoiditis, an inflammation and infection of the bony area behind the ear at the base of the skull, and meningitis, an inflammation and infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord which could lead to permanent brain damage, not to mention, the possibility of permanent hearing loss.

Over the last 13 years, evidence from the European medical literature and observation of the medical practice of some of our own pioneering primary care providers and ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) physicians, has taught us that the majority of cases of ear pain can and will resolve on their own. Without antibiotics. Without serious outcomes. With good clinical follow-up. Yet, many children receive antibiotics, and sometimes multiple antibiotics, for ear aches. And their ear aches continue to recur.

Are Ear Aches Really Ear Infections?

Inflammation occurs in the body as characterized by the following five observations--redness, swelling, heat, pain and loss of function. When a young child has an ear ache, the ear drum is usually found to be red (redness) with clear fluid or mucus buildup in the middle ear (swelling) causing pain, often accompanied by fever (heat) and occasionally accompanied by an acute loss of hearing; clearly a description of inflammation. Even if there were an infection, most studies confirm that viruses are the main organisms responsible for causing the development of these symptoms, not bacteria. Neither a viral infection, nor an inflammation in the ears responds to treatment with antibiotics. Only bacteria respond to antibiotic treatment. Therefore, in the majority of cases, antibiotics do not help. And, in many cases, antibiotics may cause more harm than good when they are used inappropriately.

A child is found on exam to have a red ear and no complaint of ear pain even though a fever is present. A pre-verbal infant or toddler with a red ear drum or fluid behind the ear appears well and is smiling. Another child presents with ear fluid and is no longer in pain. Most often these children are not suffering from ear infections and do not warrant antibiotic treatment. By definition, these children simply have inflamed ears which often respond better to other types of treatment.

Children who have infections, on the other hand, also present with these five signs of inflammation but, for the most part, do not look clinically well and often have an illness that is more serious than a simple ear infection. A child in pain who appears not to look well should be re-evaluated after the pain is relieved.

Early in my pediatric practice, I often gave a child a ten day course of an antibiotic for what I believed was a classic ear infection using the criteria I described for inflammation. More often than not, 2-3 days after completing the antibiotic, the child returned with the same symptoms. I would subsequently write another antibiotic prescription. Frequently, the same pattern would recur. Conventional training taught me that the child had an infection caused by a bacterium that was resistant to the antibiotic. Therefore, a different and stronger antibiotic was needed. Eventually it occurred to me that perhaps the child never needed the antibiotic in the first place. Perhaps there was a different process going on that required a different set of treatments and understanding.

Why do infants & children get ear aches? How do the ears become inflamed?

Conventional pediatric practice focuses on prescribing treatment interventions once a child's symptoms have already appeared. Non-conventional approaches concentrate on preventing the development of inflammation and infection and attempt to evaluate the causes that contribute to their presentation. In addition, non-conventional approaches use remedies and interventions that facilitate the body's natural healing abilities in a nourishing way in an attempt to avoid suppressing the inherent healing mechanisms that are present in the body. Often, elimination of the factors that are known to contribute to the development of the underlying symptoms is sufficient to treat the problem(s) without introducing additional remedies. This is especially true when it comes to ear pain and ear inflammation.

Infants and children have a natural tendency to generate a lot of mucus. The production and the amount of mucus lessen as the child grows older and the developing immune system strengthens. When a child has a build up of excess mucus (one of the primary indicators of inflammation), his/her body attempts to "burn off" this mucus in order to return to a balanced state, also known as homeostasis. This is accomplished by the onset of an illness accompanied by a fever.

Children, even without the presence of a fever, tend to run on the hot side. Most of their heat rises towards the head. Heat generated by a fever (another of the primary indicators of inflammation), further raises the energy towards the head. With an abundance of mucus already present in the nose and throat during an upper respiratory infection it is no coincidence that the ears repeatedly become inflamed.

Many clinicians and parents report that after a child has recovered from an illness with a fever without the use of suppressive pharmaceuticals, he/she experiences a growth spurt in neurological, developmental and behavioral milestones. Clearly, the immune system is now stronger. Children, who develop excess mucus and need to burn it off through an array of normal childhood febrile illnesses, and are blocked from accomplishing this through the use of inappropriate, suppressive pharmaceutical treatments, often remain in a state of chronic mucus production, i.e., chronic inflammation. This can be seen today in many of our children who live with excess mucus, are often sick and never quite fully recover and have a life of chronic illnesses and delays in reaching their milestones.

Prevention & Treatment

Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the production of excess mucus, support the process of acute illnesses with good clinical follow-up and safe and effective, non-suppressive, supportive interventions and offer information for families that will both prevent and treat serious acute and chronic illnesses. In the case of ear inflammation, the two approaches that I have seen work most effectively to reduce ear fluid, ear pain and chronic ear problems is a change in the child's and family's diet and the incorporation of manipulative modalities into the treatment plan, i.e., chiropractic, osteopathic and/or cranial sacral therapy.

Children have undeveloped digestive systems. Spitting up, vomiting, frequent burping, excess gas and loose stools are frequent pediatric complaints indicative of poor digestive function. Often, children are given a food or a combination of foods that serve to further weaken and stress their digestive systems. Invariably, food is incompletely digested and, as a result, children are confronted with having to deal with nourishment that does not serve them. Consequently, the body's response is to produce additional mucus

As described in immunology, Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and nutritional medicine, mucus in the nose, throat, sinuses, airways, ears and other parts of the body can arise merely from the failure of the digestive system to accomplish its task successfully. Adults may suffer from the same process as well. Those foods most likely to increase mucus production and further stress a child's already weak digestive system are: dairy, soy (especially overly processed soy products), commercial formulas, a heavy diet of raw fruits and vegetables, iced or cold foods and beverages, wheat and most flour products, baby cereals and commercial cereals, thick, creamy and heavy foods, processed grains, juice, soda, soft drinks, refined sugars, processed and refined foods, fried foods and oils, multiple food choices at a time and overfeeding.

Reducing and/or eliminating these foods from a child's diet will often quiet the inflammation and prevent the development of further problems in acute flare-ups and, more specifically, in chronic inflammation of the ears. On the other hand, offering a child warm, cooked, simple, smooth, easy to digest, whole, non-processed foods, accompanied by small amounts of food herbs and spices, will strengthen and support a weak digestive system and keep mucus production and inflammation at a minimum.

Immediate Management

So, it is still 3am and your child's body is doing its best to purge the excess mucus. Yet, the fluid is not draining and the pain is the main focus. Ultimately, the goal is to rid the body of the mucus. The following is a list of suggestions for parents to help them get through this difficult situation:

1) Hold and comfort your child.
2) Try to raise the head of the bed. For smaller children, place blankets or pillows under the mattress.
3) Keep your child hydrated with room temperature water, clear soup and/or tea. Herbs that help to break up the mucus and comfort your child include thyme, ginger, licorice, eyebright, elder flowers and chamomile. Keep the diet simple. Keep solid foods to a minimum. Offer small doses of vitamin C throughout the day with fluids. Start children's Echinacea within the first 24 hours of illness.
4) Diffuse lavender essential oil in the room to help calm any anxiety you may have.
5) Place several drops of mullein oil in a container and warm inside a pot of water on the stove. Take several drops of the mullein oil and place them in the affected ear canal. Gently pull and massage the ear lobe away from your child's head and in a slightly downward direction. Use extra virgin olive oil in the same manner if no mullein oil is available or,
6) Take 1-2 drops of organic tea tree essential oil and mix in a base of 20 drops of olive oil and place several warmed drops of this mixture into the affected ear canal. Use any one of the ear drop remedies several times a day to relieve the discomforts of the inflammation. Please be sure to use essential oils that are organic and top grade quality whenever possible.
7) Use the tea tree oil combination and massage it into the front of your child's chest below the collarbones in a horizontal fashion. Then rub the oil behind the affected ear(s) and massage down the side of the neck towards the collarbones. This will help open the drainage of lymph fluid into the chest cavity and allow the congestion to drain from the head. This can be done 2-3 times per day until the congestion has resolved.
8) See your chiropractor, osteopath or cranial sacral worker the next day. Repeat visits as discussed with your provider.
9) Contact your medical health care provider if your child does not improve within 48 hours, develops drainage from the ear or appears to be getting worse.

Dr. Lawrence B. Palevsky, MD is a board certified pediatrician who received his medical degree from the NYU School of Medicine. He completed a pediatric residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC and a one year fellowship at Bellevue Hospital-NYU School of Medicine in the outpatient department and emergency room. Dr. Palevsky's clinical experience includes pediatric emergency room and pediatric acute care medicine, in-patient and out-patient pediatric medicine, neonatal intensive care, newborn and delivery room medicine and private practice. Most recently he was in practice as the holistic and integrative pediatrician at the Center for Health & Healing, a complementary medical facility affiliated with the Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC. Dr. Palevsky is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine.
Article on the Web

Chiropractic and Ear Infections II

2009-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

Ear infections aren't caused by a lack of anti-biotics. Ear infections are rarely caused by bacteria (viruses don't respond to anti-biotics). I have an 18 month old who has NEVER had an ear infection, but has had chiropractic care since he was 6 hours old. I have a 4 year old who has had one ear infection, at 11 months old, before I knew about chiropractic. It's not just in the articles, it's a real testiment that breastfeeding, nutrition and chiropractic is the BEST way to prevent, and treat ear infections.
Marci Blog Owner

Chiropractic for Chronic Ear Infections
By Jane Sheppard

More and more parents are beginning to look to chiropractors to complement their children’s health care. Chiropractic care involves diagnosing spinal misalignments and correcting them by adjusting the spine. A slight pressure is most commonly used with children rather than the more forceful manipulation sometimes used with adults.

Chiropractors attempt to get to the root cause of a health problem rather than just treat the symptoms. Misalignments of the spine (also called subluxations) can occur during childbirth, from tumbles or falls, or from any other normal activity. Misalignments left untreated can irritate the nerves and eventually disrupt the body’s ability to function properly. The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to help to restore the normal functioning of the nervous system so the body can heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

Ear Infections and Chiropractic
Ear pain is the number one reason for child visits to chiropractors. Many chiropractors believe that there is a strong link between the birthing process and recurrent ear infection, also known as otitis media. During the birthing process, cervical (neck) vertebrae can become misaligned, disrupting nerve function, which can affect the eustachian tube. This may lead to fluid buildup in the middle ear and cause otitis media.

Ear infection or otitis media accounts for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Antibiotics, the usual treatment, are not always effective and may even lead to a recurrence of ear infections. Many children are dealing with a continuing cycle of repeat ear infections, which lands them back at the pediatrician for more antibiotics. For nearly 100 years, the chiropractic profession has claimed that ear and other upper respiratory infections respond favorably to chiropractic adjustments.

A promising study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics indicates that there is a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections. 332 children with chronic ear infections participated in the study. Each child, ranging in age from 27 days to 5 years, was given a series of chiropractic adjustments. The results show that close to 80% of the children did not experience another ear infection within the six-month period following their initial visits. The six-month period included maintenance treatments every four to six weeks. Joan M. Fallon, D.C., the author of the study and the chiropractor who treated the children in the study, states that this pilot study can serve as a starting point from which the chiropractic profession can begin to examine its role in the treatment of children with chronic ear infections. She asserts that large-scale clinical trials need to be undertaken in the field.

Side Effects of Chiropractic
Even though this study is not definitive and more scientific research needs to be done in this area, chiropractic treatment is a conservative, drugless approach to consider trying if your child has a history of chronic ear infections. Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are painless and wi ll not hurt your child. There are no invasive procedures and chiropractors do not use drugs that can have harmful side effects.

Serious side effects from spinal adjustments appear to be rare. A recent article in Integrative Medicine reported the low risk of serious complications from neck and low back adjustments. According to the literature review, the estimated risk for serious complications from neck adjustments is 6.39 per 10 million adjustments. For low back adjustments, it is 1 per 100 million adjustments.

Pediatric Chiropractic Care
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) provides ongoing pediatric courses and seminars for chiropractors, plus an online searchable directory of pediatric chiropractors. The Holistic Pediatric Association also provides an online directory of pediatric health professionals, including chiropractors.

Article on the Web

Ear Infections in Kids
planetc1.com-news
By Dr. Ryan French
I feel compelled to share this story with you. I am as angry as I have been for a long time. Last week a young boy (we'll call him Jack), age 6, was brought by his parents into our office to get checked for the first time. The little boy literally had pus oozing out of both ears associated with terrible ear infections. Here's his story...

Jack has suffered with ongoing ear infections for about 4 years (more than half his life), has had 12 surgeries where they put tubes in his ears, had his tonsils removed (I guess they thought he was born with too many parts), and was prescribed... get this... HUNDREDS of rounds of antibiotics. And what does he have to show for all this high quality medical care... well he keeps getting more and more ear infections, is almost deaf because of all of the damage that the surgeries have caused in his ears, has the immune system of an AIDS patient because he has never been given the opportunity to fight off infections naturally since being on antibiotics so much, is delayed in his speech because he can't hear our voices, and has suffered with tons of pain.

Here's the part that I can't believe... after showing the parents the scientific research that states that the use of antibiotics for ear infections leaves the child 2 to 6 times MORE LIKELY to get the infection again and that removing tonsils does NOT change the occurrence of ear infections enough to warrant this traumatic surgery, and that this surgery should therefore not be performed; the parents were NOT upset. They couldn't see why I was so angry that Jack has suffered needlessly. They said that he was starting another round of antibiotics on the day that I saw him, and that it usually took him just under two weeks for the ears to clear out when on the drugs. So I had a little less than 2 weeks to show them the power of the human body.

After one adjustment (just one) Jack showed up two days (not 2 weeks) later with a smile on his face and ears that were COMPLETELY CLEAR. He also enjoyed two nights of deep sleep that he hadn't enjoyed for months. Now I do not take credit for healing him (that was his innate intelligence) but I know that the subluxation in his neck was causing him to be unable to heal from the inside out. But here is the unbelievable part... even though his infection cleared up in two days instead of the usual two weeks, the parents are so blinded by medical advertising and the "gospel" which is the word of medicine, that they actually said "wow, they must have given him some new and improved antibiotics this time." I hope I am not the only one who sees something wrong here?

This young boy is growing up having absolutely zero faith in his body and has suffered needlessly for years. What's even worse, if I can't help the parents understand the truth, he'll likely be under the knife again and enjoy a life of complete deafness and sickness.

We need your help. I am only one person and one voice. Please tell others about the power of the human body so that kids like Jack are not the norm, but rather few and far between.
article on the web

Chiropractic and The Flu

2008-11-03T14:09:00.000-08:00

Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either. During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic’s success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession’s licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, 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. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.
“These results are not so surprising given what we now know about the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, WCA Board member and Editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. “Through research we know that chiropractic has beneficial effects on immunoglobulins, B-lymphocytes (white blood cells), pulmonary function and other immune system processes.”

Flu season wellness plan should include chiropractic care
CHANDLER, ARIZ, Nov. 8, 2004 -- The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) is recommending that people of all ages add chiropractic to their strategy for warding off and fighting the flu and its effects this season.
Spinal adjustments can have a positive effect on immune function, the WCA asserts, citing 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,
Chiropractic corrects spinal abnormalities called vertebral subluxations that result in interference of the nervous system by placing pressure on nerves. Since the nervous system controls all functions of the body -- including the immune system -- chiropractic care can have a positive effect on immune function, WCA officials note.
“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,” stated Dr. Christopher Kent, WCA Vice President.
Dr. Kent 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."
Since its inception, chiropractic has asserted 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.
Chiropractors are also aware of the importance of positive health life style practices (rest, drinking ample quantities of water, diet, exercise, proper food choices, use of high potency multivitamins and minerals, and stress reduction approaches) that can also positively influence the nervous system and immune response. According to a large study of the chiropractic profession recently conducted by the Institute for Social Research, Ohio Northern University (McDonald et al., 2003), chiropractors also customarily advise their patients as to the benefits of these other modalities in optimizing overall body function.
Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either. During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic’s success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession’s licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, 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. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.
“These results are not so surprising given what we now know about the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, WCA Board member and Editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. “Through research we know that chiropractic has beneficial effects on immunoglobulins, B-lymphocytes (white blood cells), pulmonary function and other immune system processes.”
One such study, conducted by Patricia Brennan Ph.D and her team, found that when a chiropractic “manipulation” was applied to the middle back, the response of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (white blood cells) taken from blood collected 15 minutes after the manipulation was significantly higher than blood collected 15 minutes before and 30 and 45 minutes after the chiropractic procedure. This research demonstrated an “enhanced respiratory burst” following the chiropractic adjustment. This “burst” is needed for our immune cells to destroy invading viruses and bacteria.
Another small study of HIV positive patients was conducted to study the effects of specific chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations in the upper neck on the immune systems of HIV positive individuals. Over the six-month period of the study, the group that did not receive chiropractic care experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts, while the adjusted group experienced a 48% increase in CD4 cell counts over the same period.
A large retrospective study conducted by Dr. Robert Blanks and colleagues studied 2,818 individuals undergoing chiropractic care - these individuals reported an average overall improvement, ranging from 7-28%, in a battery of physical symptoms including stiffness/lack of flexibility in the spine, physical pain, fatigue, incidence of colds and flu, headaches, menstrual discomfort, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, dizziness and falls (Blanks et al., 1997, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research).
More importantly, the incidence of colds and flu was reduced by an average of 15% in this large population who were undergoing regular chiropractic care.
According to Dr. Terry Rondberg, president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, “While we would love to say we (chiropractors) figured this out, the truth is we didn’t. We simply take advantage of it to help our patients.”
He added that, “In many ways this is old news since the relationship between the nervous system and the immune system was reported by the New York Times in 1993. According to that article ‘Scientists have found the first evidence of an anatomical connection between the nervous system and the immune system. Nerve cell endings in the skin and white blood cells of the immune system are in intimate contact, and chemicals secreted by the nerves can shut down immune system cells nearby.’ Our health care system needs to catch up with the research.”
“I would recommend to any person concerned about the upcoming flu season to add chiropractic to their list of things to do to remove interference to their nervous system, enhance their immune function and give their body every extra bit of security it needs” stated Dr. Rondberg.
Article on the Web

Chiropractic and Animals

2008-09-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

ARE YOUR ANIMALS WELL ADJUSTED?
chiropracticforanimals.net
Chiropractic Care for Dogs and Cats

By Dr. Julie Kaufman

"How do know if and when my animal needs chiropractic care?" Many people have heard of or read about such care for animals, but are unaware of the benefits, dangers and general indications for this type of care. It is also important to know how to locate a professional who is fully qualified in the field of animal chiropractic.

In this article I will provide basic information about animal chiropractic to help you understand what it is, when it is appropriate, when it is not appropriate, and who is best qualified to provide such care for your loved animal.

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Chiropractic is simple: A mechanical solution for mechanical problems. It is a natural, drug-free adjunct to your animal's total health care. In conjunction with regular veterinary care, chiropractic care can decrease pain, and add quality to your animal's performance, movement, and well being by restoring normal range of motion to your animal's joints.

Chiropractic care is used specifically in cases where an injury has occurred that has caused mechanical upset to the joints, muscles or nerves. It is commonly used for animals who have had slips, falls, or other trauma, arthritis, disc disease (at all stages especially where weakness or paralysis are involved), Wobbler's syndrome, (CVI), in dogs, hip dysplasia, and when animals have become stiff or painful. *

An animal chiropractor should always work with a veterinarian when possible to provide the best overall treatment strategy for the animal's health.

Chiropractic care addresses problems stemming from imbalances in the following three systems:

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM AND THE JOINTS OF THE BODY: Bones and joints form a flexible structure designed to provide pain-free movement when in normal health and alignment.

THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM: Healthy muscles allow the joints to move freely. Healthy muscles are free of spasm, weakness, pain, knots, or degenerative changes.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Nerves are the electrical wires of the body. They "direct" the functions of the body and control the flow of communication between the brain and all areas of the body. When nerves are pinched, reduced performance levels and pain may result. This can quickly lead to a state of poor health.

WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS RESPOND TO CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT, HOW MANY ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE NEEDED, AND WILL IT HURT MY ANIMAL?

Chiropractic care is extremely helpful for animals having problems involving the joints, muscles and nerves. This is because chiropractic addresses many mechanical causes of disease where the nerves are pinched by a stuck or rotated joint, or by a tight muscle. This type of problem is called “A SUBLUXATION OR MISALIGNMENT".

After a veterinarian has examined the animal and given a referral, two or three adjustments are initially performed. The animal is then monitored for changes to see if there is any measurable improvement. If none is present, your veterinarian is called in to perform further diagnostic work. If your animal has noticeably improved, a future adjustment schedule is determined based on the type and severity of your animal's condition. This range is usually set from 4 weeks to 12 months between adjustments unless the condition is chronic or severe and requires more frequent visits.

Chiropractors treat subluxations by gently adjusting the misaligned area into alignment. In most cases this restores proper skeletal movement, muscle and nerve function. My adjustments are LOW FORCE and GENTLE, the equivalent of an adjustment for a human infant. Most animals noticeably enjoy their adjustment. Adjustments for animals are generally low force and pain free because animal chiropractic does not involve as much force as some human techniques.

To give you some idea of what owners saw in their animals that caused them to seek out chiropractic care, I will briefly share some of the cases I have seen over the years.

About 3 years ago, I saw a 13-year-old dog that had fallen over an 85-foot waterfall while chasing a ball. This had happened over a year prior to the owner seeking treatment. The dog's symptoms included back and pelvic pain, general fatigue and a noticeable change in personality. She responded well to a few treatments, had no more pain, became her "old self” again, and is now adjusted only once or twice a year as needed.

I have worked with a wildlife rehabilitator over the years doing charity adjustments for several birds of prey under her care. One hawk that she brought into our clinic had flown into a picture window and injured her wing and neck. The vet treatment had gone well however she still could not fly. We treated her neck, which had been compressed from the head on collision. The adjustments were ultra low force because birds have bones that are porous. The hawk responded well and was released back into the wild.

I worked on a cat that had been picked up off of his deck by a predator hawk. (I doubt it was the same hawk I had adjusted!) It was suspected that there was internal damage and a vet recommended euthanasia. We got a vet referral and worked on the cat once because the owner could not let one last chance for help pass by. She promised to put him down if the treatment did not work because none of us could bear to see him suffer. He responded miraculously and lived several more years with no major problems. When he was due for a chiropractic treatment, his tail would start to droop and the owners would bring him in. He was a really smart fellow and each time I would call and leave a message on the owner's answering machine he would come right down and knock it off of the counter. Do you believe some say animals don't know what is going on!

Last year I saw a horse that was quite curious and apparently hungry. She climbed up the steps from the lower barn up to the hay storage above. Unfortunately, she did not make the steep stairs designed for humans and fell backward down the stairs. The owners saw the need for chiropractic and brought her right over for a few sessions. Nothing in vet medicine could have helped such a mechanical injury. Thank goodness she is back to her antics again.

The final case is one I see often. It is a case of disc disease. I see roughly 10-15 dogs per week with some degree of disc problem. In this case, a young Beagle suddenly started shaking, crying and was unable to get up. The veterinary school recommended immediate surgery because several disks had collapsed. The owners wanted to try conservative methods first and use surgery as a last effort due to the expense and invasiveness of it. The dog had no reflexes and was totally paralyzed in both rear legs. She was also incontinent. A holistic veterinary acupuncturist and I worked on her weekly for six weeks during which time she regained full use of her back end. She is 100% normal. We now treat her every 3 months as a preventative measure. Several years have passed and she has not had any reoccurrence.

There are also some cases where chiropractic did not help the animal. Fortunately these are not frequent but I feel a need to mention them for the sake of fairness. One such case was a dog that was hit by a car. Her shoulder was damaged and she suffered severe muscle loss. We knew she had "radial nerve" damage, which is the major nerve to the back of the front leg and shoulder blade muscles. We could not tell if the nerve damage was caused by a severed nerve or by a pinched nerve. After 2 or 3 treatments, it became apparent that the nerve was severed and was not going to heal. I had to tell the client that there was no more we could do. In cases wherthe nerve is severed or "dead", chiropractic will not help. Fortunately, there is not a large expense involved in trying a couple of treatments.

WHEN IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE APPROPRIATE?

If your animal presents any of the following signs or symptoms, contact your veterinarian for an examination and consider chiropractic as a treatment option.

· BACK, NECK, LEG, OR TAIL PAIN:

· INJURIES RESULTING FROM SLIPS, FALLS OR ACCIDENTS.

· PERFORMANCE OR MOVEMENT PROBLEMS.

· SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY SUCH AS CRABBINESS,

· HOLDING TAIL DOWN OR OFF TO ONE SIDE, SHAKING, CRYING OR HIDING.

· PAIN SYNDROMES.

CHANGES IN POSTURE SUCH AS: HANGING THE HEAD, OR SITTING OFF TO ONE SIDE.

· UNEVEN MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT.

· JAW OR TMJ PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTY CHEWING.

· WEIGHT LOSS DUE TO PAIN.

· HEAD TILT.

· CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.

· UNEVEN PELVIS OR HIPS.

· A LOOK OF APPREHENSION OR PAIN IN THE FACIAL EXPRESSION.

· NECK PAIN FROM SUDDEN COLLAR OR CHOKE CHAIN PULLS.

· DISC PROBLEMS.

· JUMPING PROBLEMS OR INJURIES.

· SHORTENING OF A STRIDE.

· DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS.

· SCIATIC NEURALGIA.

· SPORTS INJURIES.

· UNEVEN TOPLINE: HUNCHING UP OR DIPPING DOWN...

· SENSITIVITY TO TOUCH DURING GROOMING OR PETTING.

· PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH HIP DYSPLASIA.

· REAR END WEAKNESS.

· DIFFICULTY GOING UP OR DOWN STAIRS.

· WOBBLERS SYNDROME.

· SOME LAMENESS SYNDROMES.
GENERAL PREVENTIVE AND MAINTENANCE CARE.

WHEN IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE INAPPROPRIATE?

There are times when chiropractic care may be detrimental to your animal. In cases where your animal has a type of cancer that has spread to the bone it is not advised that any force be applied to the skeletal structures. I must say that several of my patients are on chemotherapy for non-bone-related cancers and respond well to low force chiropractic as an adjunct to their cancer treatment.

I remember a few years ago, I had a client who came into one of the vet clinics I work in. The client brought x-rays of her dog's pelvis along. He was an older German Shepherd who presented with rear end pain and weakness. When I viewed the x-rays with some of the veterinary staff, we noticed bone loss that could have been caused by cancer of some other degenerative disease. I declined to treat the dog until the original vet had reviewed the x-rays, fearing that any manipulation might make the condition worse. The client was enraged that I would not adjust her dog and stormed out of the clinic. I was sad for the dog but could not treat the dog with any integrity knowing that I could have caused more pain and suffering. This is one reason that I recommend that vets and chiropractors work together.

Some other cases where chiropractic may not be appropriate are:

1. Immediately following surgery. It is important to let the animal heal for at least a week after a minor surgery and two weeks after a major surgery before performing an adjustment.

2. In cases where a fracture or major dislocation is suspected.

3. In cases where the stress of being adjusted outweigh the possible benefits. This may include some animals that are extremely anxious or aggressive and may not reap the benefit of the treatment.

4. Animals who are under heavy sedation or anesthesia. Damage may occur to the animal's structures while sedated. I do however treat one or two cats very gently under sedation. They are extreme cases where the cat is known to be an aggressive biter who is showing serious signs of back pain. In such cases we only adjust once or twice and preferably while the animal is under anesthesia for other procedures such as dental care.

5. In some cases where there is a history of seizures. I have found that chiropractic may increase the activity of some types of seizures and is therefore not recommended. I do treat select seizure cases where the animal is on medication to control the seizures and/ or a ketogenic diet which has been effective in controlling the seizure activity. Many times I refer animals that have a history of seizures to an animal acupuncturist.

6. With some types of infections, it is not advisable to adjust. If the type of infection travels by blood, or is at risk of spreading by increased circulation, it is not advisable to adjust. In cases of large bruised areas, this same principal applies but the Dr. may be able to work around this area and still provide some relief for the animal.

HOW DO I LOCATE A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN MY AREA?

At This time, animal chiropractic certification courses are open to licensed veterinarians and Chiropractors only. The courses are offered through an organization called the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, AVCA. Chiropractors and Veterinarians must take a series of courses and then pass oral, written and practical examinations to become eligible for certified animal chiropractor status, C.A.C.

It is wise to contact the AVCA, at avcadoctors.com to locate a certified animal chiropractor near you.
chiropracticforanimals.net

Medical Philosophy vs. Chiropractic Philosophy

2008-07-28T07:51:00.001-07:00

By Tedd Koren, D.C.

Chiropractic and medicine disagree on what constitutes health, disease, the meaning of symptoms, and the goal of care. These are philosophical differences that go back over 2,500 years.

"But chiropractic is only about 100 years old. How could we have a conflict with medicine for 2,500 years?" I hear you say. Good question.

The answer is that our philosphical roots go way back, as does medicine. In fact two conflicting philosophies of healing - simliar to that of chiropractic and medicine - can be found from the earliest writings of Hippocrates (5th century B.C.) to the present day. The camps were referred to as the Empiricists or Vitalists and the Rationalists or Mechanists. Medical doctors or allopaths are Rationalists, while chiropractors, classical homeopaths, acupuncturists, traditional osteopaths and others are Vitalists.

This was of viewing medical history was discovered by Harris Coulter, Ph.D. one of the great medical historians of our time. In his magnum opus, Divided Legacy, Volumes 1-4, (written over a thirty year period) Coulter traces the vitalist/mechanist division as it permeated healing.

Let’s look at how vitalists and mechanists view things: Mechanists assume the body operates like a machine whose whole is equal to the sum of its parts. "Study the body," they say, "study its cells, and its chemistry using disciples such as physics, mechanics and mathematics and the workings of the whole will be revealed."

Vitalists disagree: "Living creatures are fundamentally different from non-living creatures", they say. "The laws of physics, chemistry, mechanics, and mathematics cannot give us a complete knowledge or understanding of biological systems because the whole body is greater than the sum of its parts." Vitalists learn how the body works by studying the living body, not isolated chemicals in a test tube or by making up theories.

This philosophical difference is profound, it colors everything –

Mechanists say: "The body is a dumb machine; symptoms are always bad and must be destroyed. Fevers must be lowered, inflammations must be cooled, itching or eruptions must be suppressed, pain must be eliminated - symptoms are bad in and of themselves and must be destroyed."

Vitalists say: "The body is intelligent and reacts to the environment. Symptoms are its response to environmental stress, a sign that the body is fighting to return to it’s homeostatic balance. Symptoms must be permitted to express themselves so the body may cleanse and heal and return to normal balance."

Mechanists: "The most important thing is to diagnose the disease the patient has and then fight it. The patient’s resistance to disease is not very important."

Vitalists: "More important than diagnosing and treating disease, the individual’s innate power of resistance needs to be strengthened so it may heal."

Mechanists: Everyone who has a certain diseases has the same disease as anyone who has that disease."

Vitalists: people are chemically, emotionally, and structurally unique. When caring for a sick person, we should try to learn why that one person is sick in his or her own unique way, and we should not generalize to other people. 100 people with cancer are, if you look closely enough are really expressing 100 unique conditions that have some things in common but many things unique to their situation. The more their care is tailored to their unique needs, the more successful the results.

Mechanists: "We will ultimately know exactly how the body works, what makes it sick and how to make it healthy.

Vitalists: "The body is essentially unknowable. It has billions of parts, each doing its own thing at a fantastic rate. The body is constantly reacting to its environment and changing moment by moment. How can anyone know what is happening at any one time to all those parts? And doesn’t the very act of observing alter our results?

Rationalists or Mechanists think believe they can know the body and figure out what it needs in advance. Their procedures are often invented. Empiricists sit in awe of the body’s functions and state that the only way we can find out how healing works is see how living bodies react. Their procedures are discovered.
Click to view article on the web
Dr. Ted Koren

Finding a Chiropractor

2008-07-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

upcspine.com Upper Cervical Chiropractor

icpa4kids.org Pediatric Chiropractor

morter.com B.E.S.T. Practitioner

These are just three options, but these are the options I would personally use to find a chiropractor for myself or family. If you would like more specific help leave a comment with your location and I can give you some recommendations.

Chiropractic and Infertility

2008-07-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Infertility Helped With Chiropractic

In the scientific periodical the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (JCCP), comes a study that involved the literature review of 10 different papers of the cases of 11 women who were suffering from infertility. The review, published in the bi-yearly JCCP March 2008 issue, reviewed the case studies of 11 women ages 22 to 42 who were diagnosed as suffering from Infertility.

According to the article, Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse or to carry a pregnancy to term." The author of the review Stacy Bula D.C., notes that in the US infertility impacts six million women between the ages of 15 and 54. According to the study the US Centers for Disease Control reported that in 2004 there were 127,977 artificial reproductive procedures performed to try to help women get pregnant. The study notes that although only 34% of the medical procedures attempted will result in a live birth, the costs can range up to $30,000 per menstrual cycle attempt.

In the cases reported in this literature review study, the cases of eleven female patients were reviewed from 10 separate documented case studies. Their histories included one natural childbirth, two miscarriages, two failed in-vitro fertilizations, and three failed artificial inseminations. In some of these cases the women sought chiropractic care for a variety of other problems in addition to infertility. Some of the additional problems that brought the women to a chiropractor included, ulcerative colitis, lower back pain, neck pain, menstrual cycle problems, diabetes and joint pains.

The average age of the women in the various studies was 32. In 10 of the 11 cases the women were actively trying to become pregnant and were unsuccessful. Several had unsuccessfully tried more expensive and risky procedures. The author noted that the standard medical care for infertility, "..can have serious health problems for both the mother and child."

The results from these various case studies showed that all 11 women got pregnant shortly after the start of chiropractic care. The author of the review noted that 9 of the 11 did not receive any further medical care to become pregnant. The care rendered in all of these cases was specific correction of vertebral subluxations using a variety of chiropractic analyses and techniques. The author noted that correction of vertebral subluxations caused an improvement in function which allowed the women of these studies to become pregnant.

In her conclusion, Dr. Bula stated, "The ten case studies examined in this paper suggest that regardless of the type of chiropractic technique used, when subluxations of the vertebral spine were adjusted there was a simultaneous improvement in function of the reproductive organs and related endocrine system."

Another case study
A study published in the May 2003 issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, showed a strong link between the resolution of infertility and the initiation of chiropractic care. The study consisted of a retrospective review of 14 separate articles of 15 women suffering with infertility. In each of these cases chiropractic care was introduced and the results were documented and published.

The studies followed 15 female subjects ranging in age from 22 to 65. The prior pregnancy history of these women revealed 11 of them had never gotten pregnant. Two of the women had prior successful unassisted pregnancies. One woman had an assisted pregnancy, while 1 had a history of a miscarriage. In this group 9 women had previous treatment for infertility before starting chiropractic and 4 were actually undergoing infertility treatment when they started chiropractic care.

The study noted the huge expense of infertility treatment options currently used by many couples noting the range of expenses can easily go into the thousands. The article also noted that in vitro fertilization has shown evidence of long term risks. A study published in November 2002 in the online version of the American Journal of Human Genetics reported that “babies conceived by in vitro fertilization may be at increased risk for a rare genetic disorder that predisposes them to cancer”.

The chiropractic care rendered to the women listed in this study was from a variety of chiropractors using a variety of techniques. The focus of the care in these cases was correction of vertebral subluxations. The research article defined Subluxation by using the agreed definition of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges. Subluxation, as defined by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, is a “complex of functional and / or structural and / or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health". The study noted that all of the women in these studies, who were struggling with infertility, had evidence of nerve system interference, as detected by the presence of subluxations.

The results of these individual case studies showed that even though many of these women had tried unsuccessfully for some time to become pregnant, all of the women in this study eventually became pregnant somewhere between 2 months and 20 months of the onset of chiropractic care. One of the case studies was summed up by the author, Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock, DC, DICCP, "Although chiropractic care is not a treatment for infertility, it is postulated that improvement of spinal neural integrity through specific chiropractic adjustments may have contributed to improved homeostasis and physiological adaptation thus allowing the body to express a greater level of health as an outcome."

Another case study
Infertility and Chiropractic
Several recent published case studies have highlighted the benefits and miraculous results of chiropractic care for patients who were unsuccessful in their attempt to have children. In three successive issues of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, (JVSR), case studies were published of women who were having trouble with infertility, and who were helped by chiropractic care.

The December 8, 2003 JVSR reported on a case study of a 32-year-old female with a history of infertility, who had attempted to become pregnant since August 1999, with no success and sought chiropractic care in November of 2001. Prior to the chiropractic care, she had received unsuccessful conventional medical treatment, including detailed fertility testing, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and treatment with the fertility drug Clomid. She sought chiropractic care on November 3, 2001. Chiropractic analysis and correction were performed over the next six weeks and during this time, the patient’s secondary complaints of low back pain and headaches improved dramatically. Additionally, the patient’s fertility specialists noted that her estrogen levels, endometrial thickness, and cervical mucus levels were all at more favorable levels than at the time of the first in vitro attempt. A second attempt at in vitro fertilization was made on February 17, 2002, and the patient had a positive pregnancy test on March 2, 2002.

The second case was that of a thirty-four year old woman who presented for chiropractic care on January 10, 2000. Her concerns listed a variety of conditions, including a history of infertility. This patient made no other alterations in her lifestyle or clinical situation besides the addition of chiropractic care. Approximately 4-5 weeks into the care program the patient conceived naturally.

The third case was interesting because the woman was not trying to conceive. This case was that of a 65-year young female who presented with agonizing low back pain and severe lumbar degeneration. After four weeks of care she began spotting and was diagnosed as having a normal menstrual cycle. What was really interesting about this case was that she had experienced a severe fall at 13 years of age which resulted in a complete cessation of her menses at 18. She was diagnosed as infertile.

In each of these cases the chiropractic care was specific for correction of vertebral subluxations that were determined to be interfering with the normal function of the nervous system. This in turn disrupted the reproductive system of the patients. The conclusion of one of the studies sums up the process by saying, "The human body is designed to be healthy and to reproduce. Impairment of this ability indicates dysfunction on a fundamental level. Subluxations of the spine and the associated nervous system dysfunction can hinder proper function of body systems."

Chiropractic and Asthma

2008-07-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

7 Year-Old With Chronic Asthma Responds To Chiropractic Care

The November 26, 2007 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation
Research reports on a case study where a 7 year-old girl with chronic
severe persistent asthma responded very quickly to a course of
chiropractic care.

Her mother reported that her symptoms began around the age of 2 and
by 4 years of age she was diagnosed with asthma. Almost anything from
dust to cold drafts would trigger an asthma attack.

She was taking oral medication twice a day and using 24 inhalations
from three different inhalers four times a day. Singulair, Claritin,
Albuterol, Pulmicort, Tussi, Elidel, Nasonex, Xopenex, Pred Atrovent,
Advair, Crantex, Zantac, PhenerganW/Codeine, Histenex, Tussionex,
Tilade, and Theo 24 were being used to manage her chronic coughs and
fevers. Even at this level of medication she was unable to engage in
any physical activity and experienced daily attacks, nearly constant
wheezing and coughing, a tight and heavy chest and approximately five
visits per year to the emergency room.

Previous research has shown that spinal subluxation involvement in
the upper and lower thoracic spine correlated with the reduction in
forced expiratory volume (the amount of air a person can force out)
that is normally associated with asthma. This patient showed very
high levels of abnormal muscle function in these areas indicating
spinal subluxations or misalignments.

After her first adjustment, the patient’s cough disappeared that
evening. Over the next four weeks, her attacks had stopped completely
and her inhaler use decreased to 0 per day as well. The wheezing,
chest tightness and heaviness subsided and her mother reported that
her activity levels increased from only walking to participating in
swimming and running sports.

Before beginning chiropractic care her lung function measured 54% of
the normal for her height and weight. At her last medical evaluation
her lung function had improved 74% and was now less than 5% below
normal for her height and weight.

The patient is currently being seen 1-2 times per month on a wellness
care basis. She has not been sick or had an attack in more than 3 years. Article on the Web
Click here to see a list of abstracts on Chiropractic and Asthma

Chiropractic and Colic

2008-06-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

***NEW Article CLICK LINK BELOW***

Chiropractic and Colic

Picture: Chiropractic adjustment at six hours old.

Colic: Chiropractic can help

Colic is defined as an unexplainable and uncontrollable crying in babies from 0 to 3 months old, more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more, usually in the afternoon and evening hours. The incidence is thought to be about 22.5%. Colic places babies at a high risk for child abuse, including CNS damage or death from shaken baby syndrome.

A recent study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics (1) has concluded, "Spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic". For a period of two weeks, half of the subjects underwent chiropractic spinal manipulation, while the other half received the drug dimethicone. All of the adjusted babies stayed in the study, while only 64% of the dimethicone babies completed the two-week study. In the course of the study, the children being adjusted saw a 67% reduction in crying and the drug therapy group saw only a 38% reduction in crying. The mean number of adjustments given during the two-week study was 3.8.

One might question the effect of the dropouts from the drug group. The authors commented on this as follows: "By excluding data from the dropouts, we are excluding more severe cases from the dimethicone group, and this has the effect of making that group appear better than it actually was. Thus we are introducing a serious bias against showing a positive effect of spinal manipulation, and despite this, the manipulation group did significantly better."

The findings of this report echo the results of another recent report entitled "The efficacy of chiropractic spinal adjustments ments as a treatment protocol in the management of infantile colic" by Mercer and Cook of South Africa.

Thirty infants from the general public between the ages of 0-8 weeks were randomly divided into two treatment groups. All participating infants were diagnosed as suffering from infantile colic by pediatrician before inclusion into the study. The infants were allocated into the placebo or the experimental group according to the random sampling technique.

The results obtained from the study demonstrated a significant difference in the response to treatment by the experimental group as opposed to the control group. Complete resolution of symptoms was found by 93% of the infants within the two-week treatment period with a maximum of six treatments. In addition, no recurrence of the infantile colic was observed in any experimental infant between cessation of treatment and the follow-up interview one month later.

Similar results have also been found in a study of 316 children where a satisfactory result occurred within 2 weeks in 94% of the cases receiving chiropractic care. 51% of these infants had prior, unsuccessful treatment, usually drug therapy (83%). (2) In yet another study of 132 infant's with colic, 91% of the parents reported an improvement, which occurred after an average of two to three manipulations, and one week after the treatment started. (3)

References:

1. Wiberg JMM, Nordsteen J, Nilsson N. The Short-Term Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Infantile Colic: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial with a Blinded Observer J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999 (Oct); 22 (8): 517-522

2. Klougart N, Nilsson N, Jacobsen J Infantile Colic Treated by Chiropractors: A Prospective Study of 316 Cases J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989 (Aug); 12 (4): 281-8

3. Nilsson N Infant Colic and Chiropractic Eur J Chiropr 1985; 33 (4): 264-265

ICPA4KIDS.org To find more information about how chiropractic can be beneficial to your child visit icpa4kids.org.Click here for more information on Chiropractic and Colic.

By Peter N. Fysh, DC

Infantile Colic
Sally was concerned. Her new two month old baby son, Brendan, did not seem to be the normal, happy, and contented baby that she had hoped for. He cried a lot; sometimes for six or seven hours each day and it seemed that nothing Sally did to comfort him would help. She had tried feeding him, changing his diaper, cuddling and rocking him, putting him to bed, but nothing seemed to help.
When Sally took her baby to the pediatrician, the problem was identified as infantile colic, a problem common to newborns in the first few months of life. Sally was advised to watch her diet, as she was breast-feeding Brendan, to avoid rich and spicy foods and to burp him regularly during feeding. This she did as advised but still her baby continued to cry for hours each day. Sally and her husband Bob were getting little sleep and the whole house was affected by the baby's condition.

When Bob visited his chiropractor on the way home from work one afternoon, for his regular spinal adjustment, he happened to mention their baby's plight to the doctor. "Why don't you bring Brendan in and let me evaluate his spine," said the doctor. "His colic may be related to a problem in his spine." At this point, Bob and Sally were looking for any alternative to help their baby.

The following day Sally took her baby to the chiropractor to have his spine evaluated. The doctor evaluated Brendan's spine and found two areas which needed to be corrected. A couple of light, finger-tip adjustments and the job was done. "How could my baby have spinal problems at his young age," Sally asked. "Well," said the chiropractor, "it can often be the trauma from a difficult birth, a long labor or perhaps even the way we burp the baby or pick the baby up from the crib, that produces spinal problems at such a young age."

The following day, Brendan was somewhat better. Sally took him to the chiropractor again for a further adjustment, similar to the ones performed the previous day. Three days after Brendan's first spinal adjustment, Sally just couldn't believe how much her son had improved. He now slept like a baby, only cried when he was hungry or wet, and was once again the perfect baby that Sally knew he was. And Bob slept happily ever after.

What Is Colic?
Infantile colic is the term commonly used to describe an otherwise healthy infant who exhibits persistent, forceful crying for no apparent reason. The crying usually persists for several hours each day and is usually evident at least five days in each week. Parents' attempts to comfort the infant by holding and rocking the child, changing the diaper or by offering nourishment have little or no effect on the condition. The affected infant will have a tense, rumbling abdomen, with knees flexed, tight paraspinal musculature and will emit an excessive amount of gas. Occasionally the head and neck will be arched backwards.
Colic affects about 20 percent of all infants with symptoms most commonly occurring at one to four weeks of age and ending spontaneously at around three to four months. The cause of this condition has not been precisely determined, although many infants have been shown to respond well to chiropractic care.

Research studies into the effects of spinal adjustments for infants with colic have shown excellent results. The most significant study of this condition showed satisfactory improvement in over 90 percent of the infants who received chiropractic care.1

In this study, 316 infants with colic received spinal evaluations and were adjusted as necessary. Improvement was noted within a two week period in 94 percent of the infants treated, on average, after only three treatments.

Evaluation of the Infant's Spine
An infant's spinal evaluation involves examining the entire spine, from the upper cervical region down to the pelvis. The examination includes motion palpation of the spine, to detect areas of decreased movement of the spinal articulations (subluxations), as well as identification of areas of unilateral, asymmetrical muscle spasm.
In the previously referenced study, the findings of the 73 chiropractors involved showed the following:

All but six percent of the infants responded to the chiropractic treatments. Fifty-three percent of the infants responded to adjustment of the upper cervical vertebrae only. Forty-one percent required adjustment of the upper cervical area in addition to the mid-thoracic articulations (T4-T9), while the remaining six percent received adjustments in other regions of the spine (lower cervical, thoracolumbar, lumbosacral and sacroiliac articulations) or a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned areas.

Adjusting the Infant's Spine
The chiropractic treatment of a young infant's spine differs from that which would be necessary for an adult. The infant's spine is more flexible, primarily due to ligament laxity. The immature spine also contains abundant cartilage which will eventually ossify into mature bone. This cartilage is quite strong and flexible, however the adjustive process is modified to ensure that only the lightest thrust is used to correct the subluxated segments. Not only is the force of the adjustment greatly decreased, the contact is usually only lightly applied with the finger tips and the thrust, if used at all, is very modest. The sound of the spine being adjusted, usually heard as a "crack" or "pop" in the adult spine, is frequently absent when adjusting the spine of a young infant. Babies usually tolerate spinal evaluation and adjusting quite well, with no more discomfort than that caused by a physical examination.

Results
The rapid improvement seen after adjusting the spine of an infant with colic suggests that the spine is intimately involved with the digestive process. Research in this field, called the somatogastric reflex, has been developing over the past 15 to 20 years, however, the exact mechanism of involvement of the spine with colic is yet to be determined.
References

Klougart N, Nilsson N, and Jacobsen J: Infantile colic treated by chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases. JMPT, August 1989, Vol 12;4.
Peter N. Fysh, DC
San Jose, California

Editor's Note:

Dr. Fysh is currently conducting pediatric seminars. He may be contacted at (408) 720-8042.

Click to view article on the web.

Chiropractic vs The A.M.A

2008-06-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

CHIROPRACTIC & THE A.M.A.
Chiropractic has often found itself at odds with the organized medical establishment. In 1976 four doctors of chiropractic, later to be called the Chicago Four, filed suit against the American Medical Association and numerous medical co-conspirators for restricting cooperation between individual MDs and doctors of chiropractic. The four courageous doctors were Chester Wilk, D.C., Patricia B. Arthur, D.C., James W. Bryden, D.C., and Michael D. Pedigo, D.C.(Wilk et al v. AMA et al, 1990). Their case proved to be one of the biggest victories in the history of the chiropractic profession.

Judge Susan Getzendanner heard the evidence in U.S. District Court and issued her opinion on August 27, 1987. She ruled that over the previous 25 years the actions of the A.M.A. and its coconspirators, the American College of Radiology and the American College of Surgeons, had resulted in serious damage to the cooperative process in health care, to the profession of chiropractic as a whole, to individual doctors of chiropractic, and to the patients they served.

During this trial the effectiveness of chiropractic was questioned, but the evidence was chiropractic's favor. Clinical studies showed that doctors of chiropractic were twice as effective as medical doctors in returning injured workers to their jobs. Evidence regarding orthopedic patients showed that those under the care of doctors of chiropractic in hospital settings were discharged from the hospital in five to seven days, compared with an average of 14 days in a comparable hospital without doctors of chiropractic. Judge Getzendanna rejected the AMA's patient care defense.

The central question revolved around organized medicine's attempt to eliminate chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system. Judge Getzendanner's landmark finding was that the A.M.A. was guilty of engaging in a conspiracy "to contain and eliminate the chiropractic profession," and was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

As far back as 1963, the court declared the A.M.A. had been working aggressively to "overtly and covertly" eliminate the profession of chiropractic. Judge Getzendanner issued a permanent court injunction against the A.M.A. to prevent such future behavior. The A.M.A. was required to send copies of the injunction order to each of its 275,000 members, as well as publish the injunction order in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Following a decade of litigation, a federal appellate court judge upheld a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Getzendanner that the AMA had engaged in a "lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott" designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system. The way has been cleared for a cooperative relationship between doctors of both professions, as has been sought by chiropractic for many years. Now doctors of different specialties can work together and share their expertise for the benefit of the patient. Since the court's findings and conclusions were released, an increasing number of medical doctors, hospitals, and health care organizations in the U.S. have begun to include the services of chiropractors.
Article on the Web

Chiropractic and Scoliosis

2008-05-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

What?
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that characterized by lateral (side to side) curvature of the spine . As opposed to a normal spine that would look straight from the front to the back, scoliosis resembles an S curve. Not only does the spine curve it also rotates.
Who?
Scoliosis can affect people of all ages but is generally identified between the ages of 10-15. It occurs equally in both boys and girls but girls have a higher risk of developing further curvature, requiring more treatment.
Signs?
Signs of scoliosis are uneven walk, uneven shoulder or hip height, or a protruding rib cage when a person bends down.
How?
How can chiropractic help? A good understanding of how scoliosis may start is needed to understand fully how chiropractic can help. The inital problem isn't in the middle of you spine where the curve occurs, but in your upper neck (cervical spine). Your head sits directly over your hips. If your head gets misaligned (no longer over your hips) you body will bend and twist to get it back over your hips. In order to correct the bending and twisting you don't go to the curve, you need to get you head on straight! This is done with an adjustment in your atlas and axis (the first two vertebrae in your spine). Once your head is on straight your body is no longer be twisting and turning to stay centered over your hips, therefore the curve will start to correct itself. To find a doctor who specializes in atlas and axis adjustments Click here UCSpine.com.
For more information on chiropractic care and scoliosis
Clear-Institute.com
ucc-ny.com

Learned Helplessness

2008-05-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Family Wellness First!
Are You An Elephant On A String?

Kevin Donka, D.C.

Have you ever been to a circus and wondered why such a big animal doesn't just break that tiny little chain around its ankle? The answer is that the elephant is living in a state of what is called "Learned helplessness."

The way to train an elephant is to begin by attaching a very big, very strong chain to its leg and then forcing it to go to the limits of the chain over and over again. Since this is such a strong chain, the elephant can't break it and it quickly learns not to try anymore. It learns to be helpless.

After awhile, the trainer uses a slightly smaller chain, one that is not quite as strong. He/she then progressively moves to smaller and smaller chains over time until one is reached that is the size you see in the circus. The elephant may have the power to knock down a house but because it believes it cannot break the chain, it doesn't even try. In fact, this is so effective that the best-trained elephants only need a thin piece of string to keep them in line.

"Fascinating," you're probably thinking, "But what in the world does that have to do with me?" Well, you see, most people were brought up in the medical/ pharmaceutical mindset. That is, they were taught from a very early age that their bodies are defective or weak and need lots of help from the outside in order to function well. In fact, the main goal of most people raised in this mode of thinking is not even optimal function; it is simply to not have symptoms!

from one generation to the next almost at birth with the use of vitamin K shots, antibiotics in the eyes, vaccines, formula instead of breastfeeding, Tylenol for the fevers associated with the normal development of teeth, fluoride treatments in our water and toothpaste, etc. Most children in our society grow up constantly being told that they need to rely on something from outside themselves in order to function well and it is reinforced year after year after year. This is not dissimilar to the method used by our elephant trainers.

The chiropractic lifestyle offers children a completely different perspective. The basic principles of chiropractic teach us that we are all individuations of the one, perfect, Universal Intelligence that pervades all matter. These principles state that the expression of this intelligence through us is the chiropractic meaning of life! They encourage our trust in the body's ability to heal, repair, regenerate and express wholeness.

Chiropractic recognizes that we have within us an "Innate Intelligence" that runs, regulates, heals and grows us from embryos to the full expression of what God intended us to be. It also recognizes that as long as there is full communication between your brain and your body, this Intelligence will help you better adapt to the physical, chemical and mental stresses you face each day, heal from any damage done by stress beyond your ability to adapt, and continue to grow toward the full expression of your purpose and potential in life.

You see, chiropractic helps people to understand the awesome power they have within them. It helps them "break the chains" of believing they are defective and weak and allows them to give up their reliance on outside remedies and drugs. But more than that, it helps people move beyond a goal of simply "not having symptoms". Chiropractic offers families a higher vision of what is possible with their lives, because the full expression of this perfection within automatically brings with it optimal function.AND SO MUCH MORE!

So, do you know someone who is living like an elephant on a string? If so send them on over - I know where they can get some scissors!
ICPA4KIDS.org

Chiropractic and Depression

2008-05-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

Major Depression Patient Helped with Chiropractic - Case Study

A documented case study appearing in the April 23, 2008 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, showed the improvement of a patient with major depression with chiropractic care. In this case study a 46-year-old man suffering from his third bout of major depression, presented himself for chiropractic care.

In addition to the diagnosis of depression the man also had many symptoms related to his depression such as generalized bilateral neck and low back pain, anxiety, fatigue, and a small appetite. He was also suffering from the effects of the medications he was taking, which included a decrease in sex drive, dizziness, overall muscle weakness, and insomnia.

A standardized questionnaire known as the SF-36 was used to determine the patients initial status as well as his responses to chiropractic care. The SF-36 is a health survey questionnaire with 36 questions. It has been tested by the federal health authorities and is used to predict quality-of-life improvement after a particular healthcare treatment or intervention. The average American scores a 50 on the SF-36 test.

The case study notes that Mood disorders affect 18.8 million American adults (9.5% of the population) in any given year. The study points out that clinical depression is quite different than just feeling depressed. They note that most everyone occasionally has such experiences, in times such as grieving for the death of a loved one.

As noted in this case a 46-year-old occupational software support engineer presented for chiropractic care with the diagnosis of major depression and with the intention of improving his overall health. He was currently suffering his third bout of depression and was on medical leave due to this situation. The severity of his situation was highlighted by the addition of many symptoms related to his depression which included loss of appetite, malaise, fatigue, joint stiffness, neck pain, low back pain, as well as thoughts of suicide and anxiety. He was taking the medication Paxil which then added the symptoms of decreased libido, increased perspiration, weakness, and dizziness.

His self rating according to the SF-36 initially showed a score of 40 for physical component summary, and a score of 25 for mental component summary, compared to the average of 50. The patient's initial chiropractic evaluation consisted of x-rays and a number of tests and procedures that revealed multiple findings of vertebral subluxations.

Specific chiropractic adjustments were initiated to correct the subluxations. He received a total of 34 adjustments over an 11 month period. After just three visits, the patient reported a decrease of anxiety and fatigue and an increase in muscle strength. Over the course of his care his low back and neck discomfort had resolved. He no longer experienced dizziness. His depression improved considerably, according to his SF-36 scores and his Global Wellness Scale scores.

The author of the case study concluded, "This report details the life history and symptomology of a 46-year-old man suffering with major depression; the 11 months of chiropractic care; and the man’s physical, social and mental response to correction of vertebral subluxations. This report supports the previous literature written regarding correction of vertebral subluxation, and it’s positive effect on physical, mental and social well-being.

Chiropractic Philosophy

2008-05-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Terry A. Rondberg, D.C.
"WHY TALK CHIROPRACTIC PHILOSOPHY?"
Chiropractic doesn't HAVE a philosophy ... chiropractic IS a philosophy.
When chiropractors get together, they often discuss philosophy. Yet, you will seldom hear them mentioning Plato and Aristotle, or comparing notes on Nietzsche or Emerson. The philosophy they are most interested in is chiropractic philosophy, the fundamental beliefs and underlying precepts of the entire profession.
Many people find it odd that chiropractic has its own philosophy. After all, other professions don't have one. Have you ever heard of pediatric philosophy – accounting philosophy – or legal philosophy? Why, then, does chiropractic have a philosophy?

Actually, it is somewhat misleading to say that chiropractic has a philosophy. According to Dr. B.J. Palmer, the developer of chiropractic (whose father, D.D. Palmer, is credited with its actual "discovery" in 1895), chiropractic IS a philosophy – as well as a science and an art.

That is, chiropractic is not merely a method of adjusting a person's spine or correcting subluxations. It is a set of beliefs about the human body and the natural order of the universe.

These beliefs – this philosophy – is the WHY of chiropractic. The science and art of chiropractic (such as the specific adjusting techniques) were developed, and are used, in accordance with the philosophy.

Chiropractic is unique in this respect. Other professions are not based on a set of unchangeable principles. The legal profession, for example, deals with a system of laws and statutes that change rapidly. A few years ago, it was legal to cruise 75 MPH on most highways. Today, it's against the law.

Even a single action can be viewed differently depending on the circumstances surrounding it. Taking another person's life, for instance, can be murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, or justifiable homicide. There is no single, universal principle by which to judge the action. Lawyers, then, must deal with rules and laws that fluctuate with time, location, and society's preferences. The same is true of accounting. Try to convince a tax accountant that tax laws are consistent.
Even the field of medicine changes according to the latest research results. Not long ago, for example, M.D.s were routinely taking tonsils out as a preventive measure. Today, it is a rare procedure.
In chiropractic, the basic underlying precepts remain unchanged and unchangeable. Understanding of those beliefs may deepen, and the techniques may improve, but the elemental doctrines will be constant. The importance of philosophy to the chiropractic profession cannot be stressed enough, for it is the basis of everything a principled chiropractor does.

According to one of the profession's early philosophers, Ralph Stephenson, D.C., "It is the explanation of everything chiropractic – the difference between a good chiropractor and a poor one is, that the good one has an ample supply of abstract principles in his head and the poor one only a few – Poor chiropractors are apt to substitute machinery for knowledge."

Although there are many principles which comprise chiropractic philosophy, a few of the key ones include:

There exists a Universal Intelligence which brings organization to all matter, and maintains its existence;
All living things have inborn, or Innate Intelligence which adapts universal forces and matter for use in the body;
Every living thing has ALL the Innate Intelligence it requires to maintain its life and optimal health;
Health is the expression of the Innate Intelligence through Innate Matter, via Innate Energy;
When there is interference with the transmission of Innate Energy, the result is a decrease in the expression of Innate Intelligence, which chiropractors call dis-ease (not to be confused with disease!).
Because these terms and concepts are so important to chiropractors – and their patients – they will be explained in detail in the other "booklets" in this series. When you understand chiropractic philosophy, you will know that chiropractic works – and why!
Read more Here

Chiropractic care and ear Infections

2008-04-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

**UPDATED ARTICLES CLICK ON LINKS BELOW ****

Chiropractic Care and Ear Infections II

Holistic Approach to Ear infections

Here are three great articles on how Chiropractic care can help with ear infections. In conjuction with chiropractic care eliminating dairy can assure success in eliminating all recurrent ear infections.

Chiropractic Helps in Prevention of Recurring Ear Infections.
In the October 1998 issue of the Ladies Home Journal appeared an article entitled, "Chiropractic Adjustments for Chronic Ear Infections." This article reviewed several studies showing the effectiveness of chiropractic care for preventing re-occurring ear infections known as Otitis Media or OM.

According to the article, reoccurring ear infections account for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Sometimes these infections are due to bacteria and sometimes these are due to a virus. The most common medical care for this situation has been antibiotics, even though antibiotics have no effect on viruses. While the article mentions that the antibiotic may be effective in an acute bacterial infection, they do nothing to stop repeat infections. Research and statistics is now showing that repeated use of antibiotics is contributing to future infections by creating drug-resistant infections. The surgical approach has met with little long term results as the "tubes" placed in children’s ears often come out and usually require a child to be put under general anesthesia to do the surgery.

The article in the Ladies Home Journal states, "Chiropractic care is thought to prevent recurrent infections by correcting misalignments (called subluxations) and allowing normal fluid drainage from the middle ear." What the article took special note of was that 6 months after the chiropractic care was given to the children in the study, 80 percent had not suffered a recurrence of ear infections.

In closing the article did make a profound statement. They made a recommendation to parents on this subject. "If your child is between ear infections and his doctor suggests ear-tube surgery, ask if you can try chiropractic treatment first." While we agree with that sentiment, we suggest you not wait for a period between episodes, and you don’t have to "ask" permission from any other doctor to seek chiropractic care. As the sneaker company said, "just do it!"article on the Web

by Deb Donovan and Bob VanMetter
Use of antibiotic therapy for treatment of otitis media has become quite controversial. Research shows that antibiotic treatment of otitis media is no more effective than a placebo. It also can increase the risk of reoccurrence (Cantekin, 1994).
It has been shown that the type of antibiotic therapy used does not influence recovery from otitis media, or the length of time for which it was given. Those who received no antibiotics at all had improved rates of recovery (Froom et al., 1990).

It has been found that 93 percent of all episodes of otitis media treated improved with chiropractic care. Seventy-five percent of the cases improved in 10 days or less, and 43 percent with only one or two adjustment (Froehle, 1996). Article on Web

Ear problems can be excruciatingly painful, especially in children. With 10 million new cases every year, ear infections (otitis media) are the most common illness affecting babies and young children and the number one reason for visits to the pediatrician—accounting for more than 35 percent of all pediatric visits.

Almost half of all children will have at least one middle ear infection before they're a year old, and two-thirds of them will have had at least one such infection by age 3. The symptoms can include ear pain, fever, and irritability. Otitis media can be either bacterial or viral in origin, and frequently results from another illness such as a cold. For many children, it can become a chronic problem, requiring treatment year after year, and putting the child at risk of permanent hearing damage and associated speech and developmental problems.

Standard treatment for most cases of otitis media is with antibiotics, which can be effective if the culprit is bacterial (antibiotics, of course, do nothing to fight off viruses). But, according to many research studies, antibiotics are often not much more effective than the body's own immune system. And repeated doses of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria that scoff at the drugs, while leaving the child screaming in pain.

Frequent ear infections are also the second most common reason for surgery in children under 2 (with circumcision being the first). In severe cases—for example, when fluids from an ear infection haven't cleared from the ear after several months, and hearing is affected—specialists sometimes prescribe myringotomy and tympanostomy, more commonly known as "ear tubes." During the surgical procedure, a small opening is made in the eardrum to place a tube inside. The tube relieves pressure in the ear and prevents repeated fluid buildup with the continuous venting of fresh air. In most cases, the membrane pushes the tube out after a couple of months and the hole in the eardrum closes. Although the treatment is effective, it has to be repeated in some 20 to 30 percent of cases. And this kind of surgery requires general anesthesia, never a minor thing in a small child. If the infection persists even after tube placement and removal, children sometimes undergo adenoidectomy (surgical removal of the adenoids)—an option that is effective mostly through the first year after surgery.

Before yet another round of "maybe-they'll-work-and-maybe-they-won't" antibiotics or the drastic step of surgery, more parents are considering chiropractic to help children with chronic ear infections. Dr. Joan Fallon, a chiropractor who practices in Yonkers, New York, has published research showing that, after receiving a series of chiropractic adjustments, nearly 80 percent of the children treated were free of ear infections for at least the six-month period following their initial visits (a period that also included maintenance treatments every four to six weeks).

"Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly," explains Dr. Fallon. She'd like to see her pilot study used as a basis for larger-scale trials of chiropractic as a therapeutic modality for otitis media.

Dr. Fallon uses primarily upper-cervical manipulation on children with otitis media, focusing particularly on the occiput, or back of the skull, and atlas, or the first vertebra in the neck. "Adjusting the occiput, in particular, will get the middle ear to drain. Depending on how chronic it's been and on where they are in their cycle of antibiotics, children generally need to get through one bout of fluid and fight it off themselves." That means, for the average child, between six and eight treatments. If a child's case is acute, Dr. Fallon will check the ear every day, using a tympanogram to measure the ear and track the movement of the eardrum to make sure that it's draining. "I'll do adjustments every day or every other day for a couple of days if they're acute, and then decrease frequency over time."

Dr. Fallon, whose research garnered her the acclaim of childrearing magazines like Parenting and Baby Talk, often sees great success when she treats a child for otitis media. "Once they fight it themselves, my kids tend to do very well and stay away from ear infections completely. Unless there are environmental factors like smoking in the house, an abnormally shaped Eustachian tube, or something like that, they do very well," she says.

"I have two large pediatric groups that refer to me on a regular basis. In the winter, when otitis is most prevalent, I see five or six new children each week from each group," says Dr. Fallon. "It's safe and effective and something that parents should try, certainly before inserting tubes in their children's ears."

Chiropractic Care Can Help...
Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about your child's ear infections. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children. Article on the Web

10 Myths about Chiropractic

2008-04-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Top 10 Myths About Chiropractic

10. Chiropractors are not real doctors.

The public has come to think of a doctor as someone who prescribes pills or removes organs. Sadly, many people also think this is the best, or only, method of viable health care. Being as this aggressive approach is the third leading cause of death (1) , the public needs to understand that there is more to health care then drugs and surgery - much more.

In order to practice as a chiropractor in Canada you must graduate from a recognised school of chiropractic as a doctor of chiropractic. Then you must pass both national and provincial board exams to qualify for a license. In Ontario a chiropractor is one of 5 health professionals legally entitled to use the title doctor. A chiropractor has an equally extensive education in basic human health sciences as any other doctor. How a chiropractor differs is the philosophy behind how those basic health sciences are applied to help an individual to maximise their health.
***This is the same in the U.S. a Chiropractor must graduate from a recognized school of chiropractic as a D.C. (doctor of chiropractic) and pass national, and state board exams to qualify for a license***
So, is a chiropractor a real doctor? Absolutely! A real doctor with a unique purpose. What your doctor of chiropractic can offer, no other doctor can.

1. Public Citizen, '94; JAMA, '98; JAMA '01

9 It only helps adults, not children.

Chiropractic can make a major impact on ANYONE's health, from newborns to geriatrics. Reducing nerve interference allows the body's inborn ability to look after its own needs to thrive, regardless of age.
Link to How it Works
Link to Children and chiropractic.

8 Chiropractic is only effective for back pain.

Some chiropractors focus only on caring for people who have back pain. The vertebral subluxation complex often contributes to this condition and the available research indicates that chiropractic is the most effective approach in helping people with this condition. The benefits of chiropractic are much greater than helping with back pain.The wide- ranging detrimental effects of the vertebral subluxation manifest in a wide variety of health challenges and conditions besides back pain. Most chiropractors focus their practice on improving an individuals overall health by correcting all subluxations in the body and not just the ones associated with back pain or any other symptom. The reality is, most subluxations will not have associated symptoms for years. Correcting these subluxations is still very important because they are a detriment to your health whenever they are present.

7 Chiropractic Care is too expensive.

Quality of life is key to understanding this myth. Those who have experienced long-term care and the chiropractic lifestyle recognise that chiropractic care doesn't cost, IT PAYS!!! A study done in 1996 (Coulter et al, TopClinChiro) showed 87% of long-time chiropractic patients considered their health as excellent, took less medications, and experienced less chronic conditions associated with ageing. Think of chiropractic as an RRSP for your body...it may cost a bit now, but the payoff is immeasurable.

In fact, even in a publicly funded health care system where some other approaches are 100% covered by our tax dollars, millions of people value chiropractic enough to be more than willing to pay for their care with their own hard-earned money. We appreciate that fact, and it encourages us to work as hard as possible to deliver the best care possible to our patients.

6 Spinal adjustments are uncomfortable.

Most times a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. If fact a great sense of relief will be experienced. On some occasions it may feel like someone is momentarily pressing on a bruise. As your body adapts to your adjustments, you may experience some additional discomfort, similar to the sensation of tender muscles after starting an exercise program. Over time, as your nervous system integrates the effects of the adjustments, most people feel a continuing sense of ease. This is one reason many people make chiropractic the cornerstone of their wellness lifestyle.

5 An adjustment will cause a stroke.

The truth is, there is no scientific evidence that there is an increased risk of ANY serious event following a chiropractic adjustment. There are some who suggest that the chance of having a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment is about 1 in 1,000,000. While this number has never been scientifically verified, only estimated, if it is even remotely accurate, it indicates that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning, being killed on a bicycle, or dying from taking aspirin, than you have of being seriously injured by chiropractic.

4 Once you start to go, you always have to go.

The inference of that statement is that chiropractic care is addictive. If continuing to do something that gives you an increased level of health and vitality is addictive, then perhaps it is. The amount of chiropractic care you utilise is always up to you. Most patients who see the huge changes in their energy, immune function, sleep patterns and general well-being choose to maintain chiropractic care as part of their wellness lifestyle. It soon becomes an integral approach to enjoying a higher quality of life.

3 Modern chiropractic is just a health trend.

If chiropractic is a health trend, it is the country's longest trend since it has been around over 100 years. Chiropractic is the largest drug-free form of health care and the third largest form of ANY health care in North America.

2 No scientific proof that it works.

Over the years, there have been hundreds of studies proving its validity in improving the health of millions of people all over the world. Studies in the past five years have shown the positive benefits on increasing immune function, general wellbeing in the elderly and increased brain function. The science is there, all one has to do is take a look.

1 It can't help me with my health problems, because...

Many people complete this statement with with "I'm too old", "of my genetics", "I've been told I have to live with it", "the specialist said nothing can be done". Only a chiropractor can tell you how chiropractic can help you improve your health. Remember that the nervous system controls every cell, tissue and organ in the human body, and vertebral subluxation interferes with normal nerve function. An alteration in nerve function leads to an alteration in tissue function. As such, the key to optimum health is maintaining normal nerve function. No other profession is qualified to make decisions on chiropractic care. You wouldn't ask your plumber how to fix your car. If you want to understand chiropractic, talk with a doctor of chiropractic. Contact a CAC chiropractor near you to see how chiropractic can help you live life to the fullest!
Chiropractic Awareness Council (Great Site!)

Is chiropractic Safe/Necessary for children?

2008-04-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Danny has told me more than once he wants to only adjust kids. Why? Adjusting a child ensure the opportunity to function at optimal health from the beginning. I love being able to tell people that Nathan received his first adjustment at 6 HOURS old, I am sure our chiropractor isn't the only one willing to make a "house call".
The power of chiropractic is the most effective healing tool I've seen in children. Essentially the only thing the chiropractor is doing is "turning the power on." The body does the rest. The power that made the body, heals the body.

Kid Chiropractic

WHY DO CHILDREN NEED CHIROPRACTIC?
The normal birthing process places a tremendous amount of stress on the neck. If the baby's head presents in any other than a posterior occiput position (the baby's face is down), this can cause added stress. Any intervention such as vacuum or forceps causes additional trauma to the head and neck. Cesarean section is also considered a traumatic birth when considering the effects on the spine. Many obstetricians traction the head during a normal birth, using between 40 and 70 pounds of pressure, in order to birth the shoulder. This often causes damage to the cervical spine (neck) and the nerves that exit off the spine.

Even if you child came through the birth process without subluxations, they can be acquired afterwards. Babies neck muscles are weak and are unable to support the head. Infant car seats may be designed to protect a baby in the event of a crash, but they lack support of the neck. Whenever you stop and accelerate the car their heads go forward and back and side to side, which can cause vertebrae to subluxate.

Throughout the first year, a baby's spine will grow 50%. Whenever there is rapid growth, that is the time when things can go wrong. Regular chiropractic checkups ensure that your child's spine is growing properly. During the first year, they also develop the secondary curves of the spine in the neck and low back. If these curves fail to develop, there is a greater chance that they will develop scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

Towards the end of the first year they will be learning how to walk and will fall an extraordinary amount of times. If you fell that often, do you think that your spine would feel the effects of the trauma?

As kids get older, they get even more active with more potential for physical trauma. And, if they play sports, that potential increases. And what about the child who sits at the computer or hunches over his hand-held game! Making sure that their spines are subluxation free means that your children can endure more physical stress with a lesser risk of injury.

Physical trauma is the most obvious reason kids need their spines checked out regularly, but emotional and toxic stress can also cause subluxations in kids. Many times children have accidents and parents may believe that they are fine because there is no external evidence of damage. Spinal subluxations sometimes don¹t signal an obvious symptom. The earlier children¹s spines are
checked, the earlier problems can be detected, preventing health problems from occurring and becoming serious. We recommend all children be checked regularly for nerve interference, even without symptoms present. Prevention is the best medicine.

Emotional stress, another cause of vertebral subluxation, is becoming a bigger issue for kids today as they try to cope with common scenarios like divorce, violence, and peer pressure. Our world is also becoming more toxic with an increase in pollution, packaged foods, and the number of recommended vaccines. Toxic overload can stress the body and cause subluxations. Chiropractic can help children adapt to these stresses so that they can function at a higher level.

If you know a child who is not under chiropractic care and suffers from any of the following problems, please urge the child¹s parent to consider Chiropractic.

Fever
Colic
Croup
Allergies
Wheezing
Poor Posture
Stomach ache
Hearing loss
Ear infection
Neck/back pain
Leg/hip/foot pain
Numbness
Headaches
Coughs/Colds
Asthma
Bed Wetting
Bronchitis
Constipation
Weakness/fatigue
Skin problems
One leg shorter

Irritability
Nervousness
Learning disorder
Sinus problems
Eye problems
Scoliosis
Arthritis
Poor concentration
Hyper-activity/Attention deficit disorder

Just as it is recommended that children get regular dental checkups, it is important for kids to have their spines checked from birth onward. The only professional qualified to do this is a chiropractor. More and more, educated parents are choosing to take their children to chiropractors regularly, because they see that their children are healthier and happier!
IS CHIROPRACTIC SAFE?
Yes! Specific chiropractic adjustments are very safe since care is individually based only after a complete health history and chiropractic examination has been performed. Then, depending on the state of health and age of the patient, an appropriate technique will be utilized.

In the pediatric population a peer reviewed study of the literature (Pistolese R. JVSR 2(2) 1998) was performed from 1977 to 1998 and found the risk to neurological or vascular complications from chiropractic care to be 1/250,000,000. It is important to compare this with something like the risk of serious adverse injury from taking an aspirin at 4/1,000.

A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe." By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic enjoys an excellent track record. In the adult population, unfortunately anyone who manipulates and injures a patient gets lumped in as a "chiropractic" statistic versus keeping professions as separate populations. This poses a problem for the chiropractors who perform specific chiropractic adjustments. Presently the cumulative risk from the professions who manipulate and adjust is approximated at between 1/3,000,000 to 1/500,000.

Also consider that chiropractic malpractice insurance rates are a fraction of those for medical doctors. These rates are based on the risk of injury or death to patients caused by practice procedures.

(Danny mentioned that the claims are usually from the child tripping over a table or some other "non-hazard" in the office, not necessarily from the adjustment.)

Find A Pediatric Chiropractor Near You.

Chiropractic helps ADHD

2008-04-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

Click Here for Video
The word is out, and on the news now too! Check out this video supporting an adjustment to resolve ADHD!
Attention Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity

Studies in Peer Reviewed Journals
Chiropractic for Children in the News

The following television interview on Health Watch shows the benefits of chiropractic care in children with ADHD symptoms. Dr. Marty Rosen, ICPA Certification instructor for SOT. View the news clip here: http://wbztv.com/video/?id=30936@wbz.dayport.com

Manual Therapy in Children: Proposals for an Etiologic Model
J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2005 (Mar); 28 (3): e1–e15 ~ FULL TEXT
Heiner Biedermann, M.D.

The effects of uppercervical adjustments on the child with learnign disorders is explored and shown clinically.
Article Excerpt: KISS-Induced Dyspraxy and Dysgnosy

Developmental Delay Syndromes and Chiropractic: A Case Report

Blum CL, Cuthbert S, Williams S, Developmental Delay Syndromes and Chiropractic: A Case Report. International Conference on Chiropractic Research. Vilamoura, Portugal - May 17-19, 2007: CM53.

Chiropractic treatment for developmental delay syndromes (DDS), while controversial to some, has growing support in the research literature. Yet at this time there is no conclusive information on the causation of DDS. This ultimately leads to some lack of clarity about treatment options, particularly for children sensitive to medication or who do not choose medication as an option.

Patients are actively seeking alternative care, and particularly care that offers low risk and measurable benefits should be brought to their attention. Since for many patients and their families the option of no treatment for DDS is not an "option," we need to explore which patients might best respond to conservative therapies such as chiropractic.

The current evidence supports the premise that some DDS may be secondary to trauma and related to the sensory-motor impairment syndrome known as dyspraxia. While the studies are inconclusive, there is an emerging evidence base that does show chiropractic care may be successfully employed in the treatment of patients with DDS such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

ADHD Helped With Chiropractic, A Case Study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15510091

In the October 2004 issue of the peer-reviewed research publication, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), comes a case study of a child with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), who was helped with chiropractic.
The case was of a 5 year old boy who had been diagnosed with ADHD at age 2. The child’s pediatrician prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin), Adderall, and Haldol for the next 3 years. The combination of drugs was unsuccessful in helping the child.
At age 5 the child was brought to a chiropractor to see if chiropractic care would help. The history taken at that time noted that during the child’s birth, there were complications during his delivery process. The results of this trauma and complications resulted in a 4-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The child’s mother reported no other incidence of trauma.
The chiropractic examination and x-rays showed noticeable spinal distortion including a reversal of the normal neck curve indicative of subluxations. Chiropractic care was begun and the child ’s progress was monitored.
According to his mother, positive changes in her son`s general behavior were noticed around the twelfth visit. By the 27th visit the patient had experienced considerable improvement.
The child was brought by the mother to the medical doctor for a follow up visit and questioned the usage of the Ritalin. The medical doctor reviewed and examined the child and based on that assessment and his clinical experience, the MD felt that the young boy was no longer exhibiting symptoms associated with ADHD. He then took the boy off the medications that he had been taking for 3 years.
The conclusion of the author of the JMPT case study noted, “The patient experienced significant reduction in symptoms. Additionally, the medical doctor concluded that the reduction in symptoms was significant enough to discontinue the medication.”

An evaluation of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment of hyperactivity in children. Giesen JM, Center DB, Leach RA J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989 (Oct);12 (5):353-363

The principle aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulative therapy in the treatment of children with hyperactivity. Using blinds between investigators and a single subject research design, the investigators evaluated the effectiveness of the treatment for reducing activity levels of hyperactive children.

Data collection included independent evaluations of behavior using a unique wrist-watch type device to mechanically measure activity while the children completed tasks simulating school-work. Further evaluations included electrodermal tests to measure autonomic nervous system activity. Chiropractic clinical evaluations to measure improvement in spinal biomechanics were also completed. Placebo care was given prior to chiropractic intervention.

Data were analyzed visually and using nonparametric statistical methods. Five of seven children showed improvement in mean behavioral scores from placebo care to treatment. Four of seven showed improvement in arousal levels, and the improvement in the group as a whole was highly significant (p = 0.009). Agreement between tests was also high in this study.

For all seven children, three of the four principal tests used to detect improvement were in agreement either positively or negatively (parent ratings of activity, motion recorder scores, electrodermal measures, and X-rays of spinal distortions). While the behavioral improvement taken alone can only be considered suggestive, the strong interest agreement can be taken as more impressive evidence that the majority of the children in this study did, in fact, improve under specific chiropractic care.

The results of this study, then, are not conclusive, however, they do suggest that chiropractic manipulation has the potential to become an important nondrug intervention for children with hyperactivity. Further investigation in this area is certainly warranted.

Behavioral and Learning Changes Secondary to Chiropractic Care to Reduce Subluxations in a Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Study

Lovett L, Blum CL Behavioral and Learning Changes Secondary to Chiropractic Care to Reduce Subluxations in a Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Study Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, Oct 2006:1-6.

Objective: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is extremely subjective in both diagnosis and treatment. No single cause has yet been determined for this disorder nor has there been a single treatment plan that is effective in a majority of cases. This paper proposes a possible etiology for some cases of ADHD with respect to concentration and hyperactivity along with a possible positive association with chiropractic adjustments.

Conclusion: There are many causes to ADHD as well as other learning and behavioral disorders; therefore conclusions cannot be conclusively drawn by a single case study. A possible conclusion that can be drawn in this case is that adjusting spinal lesions (e.g., subluxations) appeared to reduce the child’s pain and discomfort, which allowed him the ability to concentrate, learn and “sit still.” Further studies with controls need to be conducted in this area to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic care in aiding the symptoms of children who are classified as ADHD.

The relationship of craniosacral examination findings in grade school children with developmental problems Upledger JE J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1978 Jun;77(10):760-776

This study examined grade school children and came up with a positive relationship between cranial motion restrictions and learning disabled children, as well as children with a history of an obstetrically complicated delivery.

Additional Chiropractic Case Studies:

1) Larry Webster, D.C. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter. January 1996.

"After examining several diagnosed ADHD children, we find an upper cervical subluxation that can lead to neurotransmitter involvement."

A Mother's Testimonial. ICPA Newsletter. July/August 1998 (Dr. Angiolillo is in private practice in North Brunswick, NJ).

"When Kevin was 3 he was diagnosed as having ADHD. After trying diet changes, allergy testing and behavior modification techniques, we reluctantly agreed to put Kevin on Ritalin. The medication did its job as far as slowing him down a bit, but he suffered many side effects. In 2 years he grew only 2 inches and did not gain any weight at all. He cried easily, had trouble sleeping, no appetite, and would "zone out" quite often.

Finally at age 6 we made the decision to stop giving him Ritalin. He grew 6 inches in less than 1 year and gained nearly 15 pounds. His sleeping and eating patterns were still erratic, and the schoolwork was horrible…his writing was illegible and math made no sense to him.

We brought him to Dr. D'Angiolillo for chiropractic care, twice a week for 6 weeks. This past week when I went to his parent-teacher conference, the first thing the teacher asked me was had we put Kevin back on Ritalin. I said no, and she showed me samples of Kevin's work and showed me the sudden improvement…for the first time his writing is in the lines, it is easy to read and much more age appropriate.

Although he still tends to move around more than the average child does, he is able to concentrate, answer questions correctly and is reading better than most of his class!"

Will I have to go forever?

2008-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

It was mentioned to me the other day that once you see a chiropractor you will HAVE To go forever, this was my response:
The basic philosophy of chiropractic is not to relieve a symptom but to enable your body to function at it's optimal level. They do this through the nervous system, which is mostly located in your spine, hence the adjusment in the spine. If the nervous system is at's it's best this will enable the other systems in the body to be as well. This is done by finding and correcting subluxations (nerve interference in the spinal column this can be because of physical, emotional, or chemical trauma to the body). Once recognizing that not just physcial trauma can cause a subluxation needing chiropractic care for more than just headaches or car accidents becomes more clear. For most people care can be frequent at first, as much as three times a week. But after this initial period it becomes a matter of maintenance. Once a week, once a month, every other month. It is whatever you decide is best for you.
For myself personally I didn't think I NEEDED care. I felt pretty good most of the time, and Diet Coke helped the headaches (haven't touched one in almost 18 months!) After going I was amazed at how much better I felt overall, headaches were gone, my sleep improved, little aches and pains that I wasn't aware of until they were gone disappeared. For me it is worth going once or twice a month to prevent these things. You could really call it one of two things wellness care or preventative care.
As a parent that last thing I want it to see my children suffer. By getting them preventative or wellness care they are sick less often, and I have been amazed at what a wonder a small adjustment can do to help with things such as ear infections, coughs, stomach bugs. It is pretty wonderful to see your child suffering, receive an adjustment, spike a fever and be over the illness in 24-48 hours. For me and my family it is a choice of prevention and wellness. Just as I wouldn't skimp and buy cheap vitamins, or other supplements, I make sure I am doing the best to maintain my nervous system. Choose to spend the time and money to stay healthy, or choose to spend the time and money being sick and then geting better but never experiencing your highest level of health.
Chiropractic philosophy is the power that made the body will heal the body; The chiropractor didn't fix the body, they put the body in it's optimal state to heal itself (same philosophy of homeopathy and vital force). This is evidenced in something like low back pain. You may be feeling the pain in your low back, but the subluxation may be located in between your shoulder blades. By correcting this the low back pain is alleviated. That is also why chiropractic can help with things such as blood pressure, emotions, digestive problems, carpal tunnel, sciatica just to name a few.
I know this probably sounds like an infomercial, so I want to give a little more of my own history with chiropractic. I was raised entirely allopathic, my first three children did as well. I used drugs, and doctors to their fullest extent. Had anyone told me about chiropractors I would have probably politely agreed and then talked a mean storm about what a nut they were behind their back. (this was the case with my sister-in-law who doesn't vax, I thought she was for sure her kids were going to bring every ailment to my kids, I have since apologized.) I have learned from the ground up, done so much research and been so grateful to the things my eyes have been opened up to as a result of chiropractic (this happened when my husband started chiropractic school). My children were all fully vaxxed up until needing kindergarten shots, which we happily passed on. We ate fast food several times a week, and ate mostly processed food at home. This has changed almost completely, and I am excited with how much I have learned, how much more I have to learn, and the opportunity to share this with as many people as I can. Wow this got long, I hope this answered you question. And as my husband says, if you have a nervous system, you need a chiropractor.
Marci

Chiropractic Lowers Blood Pressure

2008-03-26T13:42:00.001-07:00

By LARA NAAMAN AND IMAEYEN IBANGA
March 25, 2008
Though doctors are unsure of what causes blood pressure to increase, a new study suggests that a specific type of neck adjustment may reduce hypertension for some of the 65 million Americans battling it.

The University of Chicago study, published in the Journal of Human Hypertension this month, looked at the possibility of a connection between a spinal realignment and a decrease in blood pressure.

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"We set up a double-blind study to really look and see if in fact this procedure was affecting high blood pressure," said University of Chicago Medical Center hypertension specialist George Bakris.

The results were intriguing. The patients who received the chiropractic adjustments saw their blood pressure drop an average of 17 points -- a dip that usually takes two blood pressure medications to achieve.

"My blood pressure dropped tremendously," said Denise Nieman, who had neck pain before participating in the study.

Why It May Work
The idea behind the realignment is that the C-1 vertebra, located at the top of the spine, operates like a fuse box in the body. When it's twisted, it can pinch arteries and nerves at the neck's base, which not only causes discomfort but also affects blood flow.

"When the spine is misaligned, it can affect all types of things, all types of disease, conditions," said chiropractor Marshall Dickholtz Jr.

So for patients like Nieman, whose X-rays showed her C-1 out of alignment, the special chiropractic adjustment lowered the pain and her blood pressure simultaneously.

The Limitations
While the study presents some interesting ideas, it has its limitations, according to "Good Morning America" medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson.

"[There are] a lot of unanswered questions. But I'm telling you, this catches our attention because of a significant drop in blood pressure. It absolutely deserves more study," Johnson said.

A larger study has been commissioned; in the original study only 50 patients were treated, of which only 25 got the real adjustment, while the others received a fake one. Afterward there was only an eight-week follow-up.

Innate Intelligence

2008-03-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

by Terry A. Rondberg, D.C.
In every living thing there is an Innate Intelligence guiding it on the path to health.
The first thing we must do when discussing "Innate Intelligence" is to clarify the concept of intelligence. It is important to understand that we are not talking about education or the ability to learn things. Human beings can attend school and learn computer programming, or can "pick up" several foreign languages when they travel. But this is not what we mean when we say intelligence.
The intelligence we're talking about is the "knowledge" that every living entity is born with, and which allows it to adapt to the environment in order to survive. If you put a plant on a window sill, in a day or so it will have turned its leaves to face the light. Turn the plant around and in another day or so, it again will have turned its leaves to receive the light it needs to maintain its normal functions.

The plant doesn't use logic to figure out that it needs light, or decide to turn its leaves around to face the window. It doesn't "think" and it isn't self-aware. Yet, the intelligence it possesses allows it to go from a tiny seed to a lush plant, to send roots into the soil to find water and nutrients, to search out and utilize light and air, to transform those elements into additional leaves, roots, sprouts, and even more seeds which will be carried on the wind to start the process all over somewhere else. Not random action, but intelligence. Not education, but inborn knowledge. Innate Intelligence.

But what is this intelligence? Where does it come from? How does it work? No one knows the answers to these questions. Living things are not random collections of molecules and atoms. They all are organized into functioning entities that adapt to their environment. Therefore, we accept as a basic principle that there is an order to the body, which we have chosen to call Innate Intelligence. But, like Universal Intelligence, we do not have the ability to understand exactly what this intelligence is or how it works. We know only that it exists.

In a human being, it is the Innate Intelligence that tells a newborn baby how many times its heart should beat each minute; how to ingest and digest nutrients and eliminate the waste; how to develop and utilize white blood cells to fight infections; how to communicate its need for outside assistance. No one has to teach an infant these things.
Yet, Innate Intelligence can only guide the internal functioning of that child. It cannot enable her to manipulate her environment or do more than her body will permit. She can't, for instance, walk over to the refrigerator and get a snack if she's hungry (anymore than a plant can turn on a lamp if it needs more light). That action will take training and education rather than inborn Intelligence.
Remarkably, every living thing possesses 100% of the Innate Intelligence it needs. You'll never see a plant which "knows" that its roots need to grow into the soil, but doesn't also "know" that its leaves need to grow upward toward the light. Can you imagine the poor plant pushing both its roots and its leaves downward because it only had 50% of its Innate Intelligence?

If an entity is alive, it possesses 100% of the Innate Intelligence it needs. Moreover, by its very definition, the Innate Intelligence is always normal, and its function is always normal. What this means is that our bodies "know" exactly what they need and how to adapt to our environment in order to function best.

If our physical and emotional health relied solely on our Innate Intelligence, we would all be "perfectly" healthy. But there are other factors at work. A master carpenter might be an expert in building a table, but if his arm is in a cast and he can't apply force to his hammer, or if he doesn't have the proper tools, the table won't come out very well.

Your Innate Intelligence is an expert in running your body, but if it is hampered by the lack of force (Innate Energy) or the lack of proper tools (Innate Matter), the result will be a less-than-normal-functioning. These three elements – Innate Intelligence, Innate Energy, and Innate Matter – make up the "Triune of Life."

Since a person's Innate Intelligence has the "expertise" it needs to properly maintain that body, chiropractors don't address themselves to that area. Nor do they involve themselves with the actual "tools" provided to each person – the body and internal organs. Their concern is with the Innate Energy or force which provides the link between the Innate Intelligence and Innate Matter.

Click Here for the Original WebSite

Chiropractic and Pregnancy

2008-03-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

Chiropractic and Pregnancy: Greater Comfort and Safer Births
How can chiropractic add comfort?
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is an essential ingredient to your prenatal care choices. A large percent of all pregnant women experience back discomfort/ pain during pregnancy. This is due to the rapid growth of the baby and an interference to your body's normal structural adaptations to that growth.

Preexisting unnoticed imbalances in your spine and pelvis become overtaxed during these times. The added stresses lead to discomfort and difficulty while performing routine, daily activities. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy. Specific adjustments eliminate these stresses in your spine, restore balance to your pelvis and result in greater comfort and lifestyle improvements.

Comfort for your baby, too.
As your baby develops, your uterus enlarges to accommodate the rapid growth. So long as the pelvis is in a balanced state, the ligaments connected to the uterus maintain an equalized, supportive suspension for the uterus. If your pelvis is out of balance in any way, these ligaments become torqued and twisted, causing a condition known as constraint to your uterus. This constraint limits the space of the developing baby. Any compromised position for the baby throughout pregnancy will affect his or her optimal development. Conditions such as torticollis occur because a baby's space was cramped in utero.

If the woman's uterus is constrained as birth approaches, the baby is prevented from getting into the best possible position for birth. Even if the baby is in the desirable head down position, often times constraint to the uterus affects the baby's head from moving into the ideal presentation for delivery. The head may be slightly tilted off to one side or even more traumatically, present in the posterior position. Any baby position even slightly off during birth will slow down labor, and add pain to both the mother and baby. Many women have been told that their babies were too big, or labor "just slowed down" when it was really the baby's presentation interfering with the normal process and progression. Avoidable interventions are implemented turing a natural process into an operative one.

Doctors of Chiropractic work specifically with your pelvis throughout pregnancy restoring a state of balance and creating an environment for an easier, safer delivery.

Preparing for a Safer Birth
Dystocia is defined as difficult labor and is something every woman wants to avoid. In addition to the pain and exhaustion caused by long, difficult labors, dystocia leads to multiple, medical interventions which may be physically and emotionally traumatic to both you and your baby. Some of these interventions are the administering of pitocin, the use of epidurals, painful episiotomies, forceful pulling on the baby's fragile spine, vacuum extraction, forceps and perhaps even c-sections.

Each of these procedures carry a high risk of injury to you, your baby or both! However, all of these procedures used to hasten the delivery process can be avoided if delivery goes more smoothly to begin with.

When reviewing the obstetric texts, the reported reasons for dystocia are caused by pelvic imbalance and its resulting effects on your uterus and your baby's position. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy restores balance to your pelvic muscles and ligaments and therefore leads to safer and easier deliveries for you and your baby. Additionally, the chiropractic adjustment removes interference to the nervous system allowing your uterus to function at its maximum potential. Published studies have indicated that chiropractic care does in fact reduce labor time.

We offer specific analysis and adjustments for your special needs in pregnancy. You and your baby's continued safety and comfort is primary in our care. This pregnancy, offer yourself the best! Include the many benefits chiropractic offers in your prenatal care choices. Call for your individual consultation. Give you and your baby the opportunity for a more comfortable pregnancy and a safer, easier birth!
Click Here for Website
By Jeanne Ohm, D.C. | Published 07/14/2004 | Chiropractic |

US Government concedes that vaccines caused autism

2008-03-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is a big win in the fight against parental choice in deciding about vaccination. While I personally will never inject anything into any of my children I still believe it is a matter of parental right and choice. Are you informed enough to be making the decision? If you want more information visit the links on my list or click here for the article on vaccination on this blog. Educate before you vaccinate!
"After years of insisting there is no evidence to link vaccines with the onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the US government has quietly conceded a vaccine-autism case in the Court of Federal Claims." For the rest of the story click here

AMA vs Chiropractic

2008-03-03T05:51:00.000-08:00

Orginal Article site
CHIROPRACTIC & THE A.M.A.
Chiropractic has often found itself at odds with the organized medical establishment. In 1976 four doctors of chiropractic, later to be called the Chicago Four, filed suit against the American Medical Association and numerous medical co-conspirators for restricting cooperation between individual MDs and doctors of chiropractic. The four courageous doctors were Chester Wilk, D.C., Patricia B. Arthur, D.C., James W. Bryden, D.C., and Michael D. Pedigo, D.C.(Wilk et al v. AMA et al, 1990). Their case proved to be one of the biggest victories in the history of the chiropractic profession.

Judge Susan Getzendanner heard the evidence in U.S. District Court and issued her opinion on August 27, 1987. She ruled that over the previous 25 years the actions of the A.M.A. and its coconspirators, the American College of Radiology and the American College of Surgeons, had resulted in serious damage to the cooperative process in health care, to the profession of chiropractic as a whole, to individual doctors of chiropractic, and to the patients they served.

During this trial the effectiveness of chiropractic was questioned, but the evidence was chiropractic's favor. Clinical studies showed that doctors of chiropractic were twice as effective as medical doctors in returning injured workers to their jobs. Evidence regarding orthopedic patients showed that those under the care of doctors of chiropractic in hospital settings were discharged from the hospital in five to seven days, compared with an average of 14 days in a comparable hospital without doctors of chiropractic. Judge Getzendanna rejected the AMA's patient care defense.

The central question revolved around organized medicine's attempt to eliminate chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system. Judge Getzendanner's landmark finding was that the A.M.A. was guilty of engaging in a conspiracy "to contain and eliminate the chiropractic profession," and was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

As far back as 1963, the court declared the A.M.A. had been working aggressively to "overtly and covertly" eliminate the profession of chiropractic. Judge Getzendanner issued a permanent court injunction against the A.M.A. to prevent such future behavior. The A.M.A. was required to send copies of the injunction order to each of its 275,000 members, as well as publish the injunction order in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Following a decade of litigation, a federal appellate court judge upheld a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Getzendanner that the AMA had engaged in a "lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott" designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system. The way has been cleared for a cooperative relationship between doctors of both professions, as has been sought by chiropractic for many years. Now doctors of different specialties can work together and share their expertise for the benefit of the patient. Since the court's findings and conclusions were released, an increasing number of medical doctors, hospitals, and health care organizations in the U.S. have begun to include the services of chiropractors.

History of Chiropractic

2008-02-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

CHIROPRACTIC HISTORY
Primative forms of chiropractic were used as early as 17,500 B.C. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, talked of spinal misalignment problems, and Germany has had "bonesetters" for years. Chiropractic as we know it started about 100 years ago.

The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18,1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer.

D.D. Palmer was born in 1845 on the Ontario frontier. At age 11, a business failure forced his family to move to the U.S. He and his younger brother stayed behind and worked in a factory until 1865. Then they rejoined their family.

By the 1880s, Palmer's thirst for knowledge led him to learn magnetic healing. This therapy used the body's magnetism to heal others. Palmer opened his first magnetic healing practice in Burlington, Iowa. A year later, in 1887, Palmer moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he started another practice.

Dr. Palmer was studying the cause and effect of disease. In Palmer's building, was a janitorial service, owned by Harvey Lillard. Lillard, who had been deaf for 17 years. Palmer asked how he had become deaf. Lillard replied that one day, when he had strained his back, he heard something "pop" in his back. For over17 years Mr. Lillard complained of hearing problems.

Palmer examined Lillard's back and found a spinal vertebrae out of position. Reasoning this to be the cause of Lillard's deafness, Palmer pushed the vertebrae back into place. As he expected, Lillard's hearing improved. Palmer theorized that decreased nerve flow may be the cause of disease, and that misplaced spinal vertebrae may cause pressure on the nerves. He reasoned, if the spinal column were correctly positioned, the body would be healthy.

This dramatic beginning caused a great deal of excitement, and soon exaggerated claims surfaced from activists and zealots. At first Dr. Palmer thought that he had discovered a cure for deafness. Because chiropractic challenged the traditional medical concept of health, a campaign was begun to discredit and eliminate the profession. This campaign is less active today.

One of Dr. Palmer's patients, a minister, took the Greek words for "hand" (cheiros) and "done by" (pracktos) and put them together to spell chiropractic, meaning "done by the hand."

Palmer decided to open a chiropractic school in 1897. By 1902, 15 people had graduated from the Palmer Infirmary and Chiropractic Institute, which was renamed the Palmer School of Chiropractic (PSC) in 1907. One of these graduates was Palmer's son, Bartlett Joshua (B.J.) Palmer, DC, who would become as memorable a figure in chiropractic history as his father.

Daniel David Palmer began some travels to the West Coast, and little by little, His son,Bartlett, took over running the daily activities of the school. Chiropractors, just as early medical doctors, were not licensed by the government A Chiropractors simply opened a practices after graduating from chiropractic schools. By that time, however, medical doctors were required to have licenses. This discrepancy caused continual problems for chiropractors throughout the first half of the 20th century. In 1906, When Daniel Palmer returned to Davenport, he and hundreds of other chiropractors were convicted of practicing medicine without a license. He was released after serving 23 days of a 105-day sentence, and paying a $350 fine. A year later, one of Palmer's former students, Shegataro Morikubo, DC, was arrested in Wisconsin for practicing medicine, surgery and osteopathy without a license. In a landmark decision, the judge and jury agreed that Morikubo was not practicing medicine, surgery and osteopathy. Rather, he was practicing something different - chiropractic.

In 1910, B.J. Palmer introduced the use of X-rays. In 1924, he introduced the neurocalometer to reveal more scientifically the location of out-of-position spinal bones.

Through the end of World War II, chiropractic became controversial under B.J. Palmer, the son of the profession's founder. He administrated the largest chiropractic college at that time, owned radio and TV stations, traveled extensively, and even hosted three U.S. Presidents - Coolidge, Hoover and Truman - at his home.In 1924, B.J. had the first radio station west of the Mississippi , WOC (or, Wonders Of Chiropractic). In 1928 he purchased WHO (With Hands Only) in Des Moines. However history will judge B.J. Palmer, it can be certain that without B.J. Palmer, chiropractic would not have survived the early ruthless attempts to discredit its healing ability.

Starting in 1944, World War II veterans could get government benefits. Using the G.I. Bill , returning soldiers enrolled in chiropractic colleges by the thousands.

Chiropractic is now second only to medicine as the largest primary health care provider in the western world. Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, grew from 24 students in 1906 to 3,100 in 1923. Today, there are more than 23 chiropractic institutions throughout the world Current enrollment at chiropractic institutions now exceeds 10,000 dedicated students.

Since Dr. Palmer's first primitive chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Acceptance among other health care professionals has resulted from advanced diagnostic procedures, scientific research,and sophisticated equipment.

**another borrowed article click here for the original webpage **

How can Chiropractic Help my overall Health?

2008-02-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

The relationship between Spinal Adjustment and Health

From the time that we are born until the time we die, the body is in constant motion, even when at rest. The cells of our body are constantly dying and being replaced by new, healthy cells. Two and one-half million of them will die and be replaced every minute of your life. This is a normal process. Health can be defined as the ability of the body to replace the cells and tissue structures normally and consistently. In order for this process to occur, life force (mental impulse) must be flowing throughout the body to all cells and tissues. If the life force is interfered with the body does not have the ability to recreate it

Chiropractors work on primarily one thing - the vertebral subluxation. A subluxation is a vertebrae that is out of alignment with the vertebrae above and below resulting in nerve pressure and interference of the nerve impulse from the brain to the tissue cell. This causes a break down of the normal tissue cells until enough abnormal tissue cells have been formed to cause dis-ease. The Chiropractor's job is to remove the subluxation allowing the nerve impulse to get to the tissue cells and replace the abnormal cells with normal cells. This is healing.

Damaged tissue occurs in two ways. One, from acute trauma and two, the interference of the mental impulse from a subluxation: Cells of the body are constantly dying and being replaced as a normal life process. When a subluxation interferes with this normal process the results are a breakdown of normal tissue cells.Pain is a symptom, it is a warning signal sent to the brain that there has been damage.

Stresses and strains, knocks and bumps-of living can overcome the exact structural balance of the spinal column leading to poor health. Just look at others about you: heads forward, slumped shoulders, hollow backs, protuberant bellies, knock knees and flat feet, etc.

These people suffer from attendant health problems: heart trouble, stomach trouble, liver trouble, headaches, sinus trouble, sciatica, ear trouble, and other maladies. They may suffer from any of the nearly 400 different diseases or conditions caused by mis aligned vertebrae pinching nerves.

An adult spine is composed of 24 movable bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has the general shape of a man's ring. The rings are stacked one on top of another forming a vertical tunnel.The delicate spinal cord just a little thicker than a pencil is suspended from the brain and extends down through the tunnel formed by the ring like vertebrae. Smaller nerves lead from the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae. These openings are called foremen. The nerves emerge in pairs, one to the right and one to the left. There are 31 pairs of nerves. Each nerve goes to and controls a specific area of the body. When the spinal column is in proper alignment, the nerves pass unimpeded through the foremen. But when one or more vertebra become misaligned, the nerve is impinged (pinched), and normal nerve function is cut down or off to the parts of the body served by that nerve.

Misaligned vertebrae which pinch nerves are called spinal subluxations. A fall or injury may produce subluxations. They may result from stresses or strains, such as improper lifting . Chemical, electrical or emotional shocks may overload the nerve system's protective mechanism and produce subluxations.

Pinched nerves in a broken neck can cause partial paralysis of the legs and that if nerves are severely compressed, complete paralysis results.Pnched nerves can also afftect the lungs, heart, stomach or other parts of the body .

Lung, heart and stomach conditions deserve the same consideration that other forms of paralysis receive. Tissue deprived of nerve energy (impulses) cannot maintain good health without nerve guidance from the brain.

Some misaligned vertebrae correct themselves, but most require chiropractic care to assist for correction.

Only Nature Heals

Chiropractors do not give medicine to cure the sick. They know that nature provides each person with a built-in druggist capable of making medicines, hormones, enzymes and antibiotics. Just as your body heals cuts, mends broken bones and repairs damaged organs, so it can heal disease without harmful side effects. The human body is capable of healing itself of every known disease, provided nothing interferes with normal nerve function.

The Doctor of Chiropractic works with the spine and nerves. He was the first to recognize that spinal bones (vertebrae), twisted even slightly out of place, impinge the major nerve trunks at the point where they pass through the small openings between the vertebrae, thus causing pain and disease. The chiropractor has the know-how to restore normal nerve function the natural way to lasting health.

The nervous system controls and coordinates every organ and tissue of the body. There is a relationship between the spine and the health of the nervous system. Find the blockage and eliminate it and the body will move back toward health.
This is where I got the article from click here!

Montel Williams and Chiropractic

2008-02-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Watch this 6 minute video and see why Montel Williams is a new chiropractic believer.

Blind Man Sees Again

2008-02-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Blind man sees again
Although the article that is linked here says that they don't know how it happened, the chiropractor when they interview him explains it quite well. When our spine is subluxated (out of proper alignment) it interfers with our nervous system. Our nervous system is what carries out the messages sent by our brain, when the spine is out of alignment, these messages get interrupted, and can't carry out the job they were sent to do. Once this mans subluxations were corrected his brain was capable of getting the message to the nerves in the eye, therefore restoring the eyesight. Chiropractors don't "fix" backs, they adjust the spine to optimize the nervous systems function. Low back pain is often a result of a subluxation much higher in the spine. Just picture this, your eyes always have to be level, so if your atlas (the top bone in your spine) is out of alignment your body will naturally position itself to keep your eyes level. This may be by raising a shoulder, dipping a hip etc. Because you are no longer standing naturally, your muscles get sore because they are holding your body in place to keep your eyes level. This can cause all kinds of back pain because of the stress on your muscles. A chiropractor goes in and finds which vertebra is out of alignment and "adjusts" it back into alignment. Do you have to go to a chiropractor forever? No, but if you have been subluxated for 5, 10, 20 years your muscles have been holding the bones incorrectly and need to be retrained. Therefore, you may have to see a chiropractor more than once. Initially the treatment may be very frequent, and begin to space out as your see improvement. After you are in good repair you can usually feel when you are "out" and go and see the chiropractor. Most people find that going once a month or every other month for maintence helps keep them in optimum condition. Do you go and get maintenance on your teeth every 6 months? A physical once a year? Do you get the oil changed on your car every 3000 miles so it last longer? You should be treating your nervous system to this same routine of Wellness Care!

Vaccinations

2008-02-07T08:23:00.001-08:00

Below is an editoral from a newspaper called "The Witness" it was written in 2006 so I am unable to provide a link to exact article. The reason for posting this is that it explains quite precisly the reasons that we have choosen to not vaccinate our children. The information is all cited, so it would be easy if you would like to do some further research. I also have a link on the side if you would like to get more information about vaccination. The article states several times that the diseases that we are supposed to be vaccinated for were already on the decline before mass vaccination ever began. This link will show the graphs with this data.
http://healthsentinel.com/graphs.php
This was written in response to two editorals supporting the need for vaccinations. One was a medical doctor and teacher and the other a microbiologist.

"It never ceases to amaze me that supposedly educated people feel the need to verbally attack and ridicule those who do not share and question their outdated theories and practices. (Comments from Robert-Ian Caldwell (Witness, March 18), L.S. Steinhard (March 19) and Terence Higginson (March 22). Makes one wonder why they feel so threatened, doesn’t it?

One would further assume that physicians and scientists in particular would make an effort to keep up to date with research and new findings instead of relying on information they once upon a time learned at high school and which experts in this field have long since proved to be a fallacy and for which thousands of maimed and dead children have paid and continue to pay the price.

All three writers seem to have a common denominator – namely being the product of a school system that promoted parrot-learning instead of encouraging independent and critical thinking skills. It is far more convenient to be slavishly obedient to a hypothesis decreed by “authority” than develop a mind of your own, even though no one less than Albert Einstein once said “The important thing is to not stop questioning”.

Ignorance may be bliss and it is easier for a king to have a lie believed than a beggar to spread the truth. But this could have fatal consequences if applied by the profession that is supposed to heal us.

Caldwell tries to downplay the devastating and crippling side effects and deaths caused by vaccinations. Surely he can’t be unaware that as early as 1986(!) the U.S. Congress officially acknowledged the reality of vaccine-caused injuries and death by passing the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act as well as the National Vaccine program Improvement Act of 2005 introduced a few days ago. To date, more than $ 1 billion has been paid out for injuries and deaths caused by mandated vaccines, and thousands of cases are pending. On 2 November 2000, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) announced that its members voted at their 57th annual meeting in St. Louis to pass a resolution calling for an end to mandatory childhood vaccines. The resolution was passed without a single "no" vote (Report by Michael Devitt). Is Caldwell going to dismiss this too as “sheer ignorance” and “irresponsible folly”? Does he inform parents about the toxins contained in
vaccines, i.e. a hepatitis B shot given after birth contains 12 micrograms of mercury – 30 times the safe level set by the World Health Organisation and that by the age of two the child has been injected with at least 237 micrograms of mercury – the EPA recognizes as safe only a one-time exposure to 0.1 micrograms? Does Caldwell tell parents what toxic brew will be injected into their child, that for example the measles virus is passed through chick embryos, polio virus through monkey kidneys, rubella virus through human diploid cells – the dissected organs of an aborted foetus, that “killed” vaccines are inactivated through heat, radiation or chemicals? Or that undetected animal viruses may jump the species barrier. Surely he must know that this is exactly what happened in the 1950s and 1960s when millions of people were infected with the polio vaccines contaminated with the SV-40 virus that was undetected in the monkey organs used for the vaccines and is considered an
immunosuppressor and has been found in brain tumours, leukaemia and other human cancers.
If his learned colleague Steinhard deplores “freedom of speech” enshrined in our constitution, may I remind him that there are also such things as accountability, duty of disclosure and the right to information and neither he nor Caldwell seem to be able or willing to provide such information substantiating their statements that vaccinations are "safe". In fact, the ignorance displayed in some questions intended to ridicule me is almost frightening. I was definitely not aware that scientific studies are done by means of history books although that would explain Steinhardt's assumption that smallpox have been eradicated thanks to vaccinations when exactly the opposite is the case - this is solely attributable to the HALT of mass vaccinations. Surely Steinhardt cannot be oblivious to the fact that the worst smallpox outbreak in the Philippine's history occurred AFTER - under a 10 year compulsary US program - 25 million vaccinations were administered to a population of 10
million resulting in 170,000 smallpox cases and more than 75,000 deaths, in a country that hardly ever saw any smallpox cases prior to the onslaught of vaccinations. And if Steinhardt had done his homework, he would also have found that between 1871 - 72, England experienced its worst ever smallpox outbreak AFTER mass vaccinations (45,000 deaths). The same happened in Germany during the same period. 125,000 people died AFTER mass vaccinations (The Hadwen Documents). And none less than Prof. Ari Zuckermann from the World Health Organisation said :" Immunisation against smallpox is more hazardous than the disease itself".And according to Dr. James A. Shannon, National Institute of Health, USA "The only wholly safe vaccine is a vaccine that is never used".
Since (as yet) no such Act exists in South Africa, may the public assume that both Caldwell and Steinhard are prepared to take full responsibility and to be held liable for any damages arising from their assurances that vaccines are safe? In particular, Steinhardt in his capacity as a lecturer in microbiology should know that in the science field each and every statement must be substantiated by scientific evidence, which he obviously cannot provide for his allegations that vaccinations eradicated diseases except for the fact that his mama had him vaccinated for whooping cough. Well, mine didn’t and I contracted all normal childhood diseases from measles, mumps, chickenpox to whooping cough, thus providing me with life-long immunity, which a vaccine cannot and will never do. He, of all people, should know that science and research never stand still and that some outdated theories taught at high school no longer apply. And if he still believes that Jenner’s COW pox vaccine
based on the superstitions of a milkmaid saved mankind from smallpox, then I must assume that he also still believes in the Easter bunny. Historical data prove exactly the opposite, namely that childhood diseases decreased by 90% between 1850 and 1940 along with improved hygiene, nutrition and living conditions, long before vaccinations were mass-introduced. Infectious disease deaths in the USA and England declined by about 80% prior to vaccinations - measles mortality declined over 95% prior to vaccinations.
Whooping cough (pertussis) deaths decreased more than 75% before the vaccine was introduced and after the vaccine was introduced people who were fully vaccinated continued to contract the disease. Medical journals and records provide ample documented evidence that not only did the vaccines “not prevent” the disease but actually “caused it” in places where the disease had been virtually absent for several years. And if Steinhard proclaims that he was vaccinated against pertussis and at the same time saw so many of his peers struck down by polio then he had better find out whether they too had received the whooping cough vaccine since, in a study undertaken in 1950, Dr. McCloskey submitted proof that polio was a disease caused by the DPT vaccine while today polio is caused by the vaccine itself. Every known case of polio in the United States since 1979 has occurred from the oral polio vaccine. In Germany, compulsory mass vaccinations against diphtheria commenced in 1940 and
by 1945 diphtheria cases were up from 40,000 to 250,000. In the U.S. in 1960, two virologists discovered that both polio vaccines were contaminated with the SV 40, which causes cancer in animals as well as changes in human cell tissue cultures. Millions of children had been injected with these vaccines (Med. Jnl of Australia 17/3/1973 p. 555). In 1967, Ghana was declared measles-free by the World Health Organisation after 96% of its population was vaccinated. In 1972, Ghana experienced one of its worst measles outbreaks with its highest ever mortality rate (Dr. H. Albonico, MMR Vaccine Campaign in Switzerland, March 1990). In 1977, Dr. Jonas Salk himself, who developed the first polio vaccine, testified along with other scientists, that mass inoculation against polio was the cause of most polio cases throughout the U.S. since 1961 and that live virus vaccines against influenza and paralytic polio may in each instance cause the disease it is intended to prevent (Science
4/4/77 “Abstracts”). And according to Surgeon General Leonard ScheeIe at the Ama Convention 1955 "No batch of vaccine can be proved SAFE before it is given to children" In 1979, Sweden abandoned the whooping cough vaccine due to its ineffectiveness. Out of 5,140 cases in 1978, it was found that 84% had been vaccinated three times! (BMJ 283:696-697, 1981). According to Dr. Archie Kalokerinos, Vaccine Researcher, at the Natural Health Convention in Stanwell Tops, Australia: " the whooping cough vaccine is responsible for a lot of deaths and infants suffering from irreversible brain damage". This opinion is shared by Professor Gordon Stewart, University of Glasgow, who said: " There is no doubt in my mind that in the UK alone some hundreds, if not thousands of well infants suffered irraparable brain damage needlessly and that their lives and those of their parents have been wrecked in consequence" . The February 1981 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association
found that 90% of obstetricians and 66% of paediatricians refused to take the rubella vaccine. In 1987, the cost of a single DPT shot in the U.S. had risen from 11 cents in 1982 to $ 11,40 in 1987. Why? The manufacturers of the vaccine were putting aside $8 per shot to cover legal costs and damages they were paying out to parents of brain-damaged children and children who died after vaccination (The Vine, Issue 7, January 1994, Nambour, Old). In 1990, a UK survey involving 598 doctors revealed that over 50% of them refused to have the Hepatitis B vaccine (British Med Jnl, 27/1/1990) (Could it be that they knew something the above three gentlemen refuse to acknowledge? !) In 1990, an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated “Although more than 95% of school-aged children are vaccinated against measles, large measles outbreaks continue to occur in schools and most cases in this setting occur among previously vaccinated children” (Jama, 21/11/90). In
1995, the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that a substantial number of Romanian children were contracting polio from the polio vaccine. Correlations were found with injections of antibiotics. A single injection within 1 month of vaccination raised the risk of polio 8 times; 2 to 9 injections raised the risk 27-fold and 10 or more injections raised the risk 182 times (Washington Post, Feb. 22, 1995).
During the 1962 U.S. Congressional hearings, Dr. Bernard Granberg, head of the Dept. of Biostatistics for the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, testified that not only did the cases of polio increase substantially after mandatory vaccinations (50% increase from 1957 to 1958 and 80% increase from 1958 to 1959) but that the statistics were manipulated by the Public Health Service to give the opposite impression. Dr. Viera Schiebner points out that the truth is that 90% of polio cases were eliminated from statistics by health authorities’ decision to redefine the disease, which occurred when the vaccine was mass-introduced. Thousands of cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. and all over the world as viral and aseptic meningitis. Prior to the vaccine, these were called “polio”.
She also makes the chilling disclosure that all countries with intensive or mandatory vaccination of infants show a whopping 400% increase in cerebral palsy not diagnosed at birth.
It seems, therefore, that the only ones delusional in this debate are the authors above who are not even in a position to substantiate their statements and who clearly live under the arrogant assumption that by virtue of their profession the “dumb masses” will automatically believe every word they spew out, which makes their irresponsible assurances even more deplorable. For the sake of their patients and impressionable students I strongly suggest that they broaden their horizon.
Steinhardt's encouragement to "the elderly or those with respiratory problems or other medically compromised individuals to GET YOUR SHOTS -STAY SAFE" surpasses the height of irresponsibility. Surely he must know that in the very young, the nutritionally deficient, the elderly and those whose immune systems have already been compromised (otherwise they wouldn't be "medically compromised" right?), over stimulation of the immune system can have exactly the opposite effect - namely it can paralyze the immune system. I suggest that he studies the findings of Hugh Fudenberg, MD, one of the world's leading immunogeneticists, who said:" If an individual has had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his/her chance of getting Alzheimer's Disease is 10 times higher than if he/she had one, two or no shots". Dr. Fudenberg said that it was due to mercury and aluminium that is in every flu shot and most childhood shots. The gradual mercury and aluminium
build-up in the brain causes cognitive dysfunction.
Other findings revealed that both of these metals activate microglia, the brain's immune cells, and increase excitotoxicity (glutamate and quinolinic acid) in the brain, which are very destructive of brain cells and their connecting processes at the same time increasing free radicals generation in the brain. Vaccinations won't let the microglia shut down. In the developing brain, this can lead to language problems, behavioral dysfunction and even dementia. In the adult it can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). One would assume that as a microbiologist Steinhardt would surely be aware of this?
Ingrid Blank (by e-mail)

Teen Screen

2008-02-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

Below is a portion of an newspaper article about a new system that the government is wanting to put into highschools across the nation. It is a computerized test to assess and diagnos teens to see what type of psychological problems they have. The disgusting part about all of this is that it is funded and back by the pharmacetucal companies. Can you say conflict of intrest? The most distrubing part is that the test is being administered without parental consent. If the whistle isn't blown on this who knows what else they will find okay to do to our children without consent. Because the article is so very long I have included to portions of it and then a link to read the rest.

TeenScreen - The Law Suits Begin

By Evelyn Pringle
The scheme concocted by the pharmaceutical industry and pushed forward by
the Bush administration to screen the entire nation's public school
population for mental illness and treat them with controversial drugs was
already setting off alarms among parents all across the country. But in the
state of Indiana, the alarm just got louder.

Tax payers had better get out their check books because school taxes are
about to go up as the law suits against school boards start mounting over
the TeenScreen depression survey being administered to children in the school.

The first notice of intent to sue was filed this month in Indiana by
Michael and Teresa Rhoades who were outraged when they learned their
daughter had been given a psychological test at school without their consent.

In December 2004, their daughter came home from school and said she had
been diagnosed with an obsessive compulsive and social anxiety disorder
after taking the TeenScreen survey.

Teresa Rhoades always viewed her daughter as a happy normal teenager. “I
was absolutely outraged that my daughter was told she had these two
conditions based off a computer test,” said Rhoades.

Attorney John Price, who is representing the Rhoadeses, confirmed that he
had sent a notice of tort claim to both the school and Madison Center,
which worked with the school system to administer the test.

This action means that the Rhoadeses are declaring their intent to file a
lawsuit against both entities. Price said state law requires a notice of
claim to be sent to any governmental agencies, including schools, before a
lawsuit can be filed against them, according to the June 9, South Bend
Tribune.

In the notice, Teresa and Michael Rhoades claim the survey was erroneous,
improper, and done with reckless disregard for their daughter's welfare and
that they did not give the school permission to give the test.

The parents allege that when their daughter took the test, she was
improperly diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and social anxiety
disorder. That diagnosis, they claim, caused both the teen and her parents
emotional distress, and the family intends to seek the "maximum amount of
damages."

The Indiana child was diagnosed with two disorders in one crack but there
are many more.

If a teen doesn't like doing math assignments, parents should not worry.
TeenScreen may determine that the child simply has a mental illness known
as developmental- arithmetic disorder.

There's also a diagnosis for those children who like to argue with their
parents, they may be afflicted with a mental illness known
oppositional- defiant disorder.

And for anybody critical of the of the above 2 disorders, they may be
suffering the mental illness called noncompliance- with-treatment disorder.

No kidding, these illnesses are included in the more than 350 "mental
disorders" listed in the American Psychiatric Association' s Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the insurance billing bible for
mental disorders.

Tax Dollars Already Being Funneled To Pharma

In addition to lawsuits, tax dollars are already funding TeenScreen and
many of the drugs purchased by the new customers it recruits.

While promoting TeenScreen to Congress, its Executive Director, Laurie
Flynn, flat out lied when she told members of congress that TeenScreen was
free and its website statement that "The program does not receive financial
support from the government and is not affiliated with, or funded by, any
pharmaceutical companies," is also a blatant lie.

On Oct 21, 2004 Bush authorized $82 million for suicide prevention programs
like TeenScreen and a report in Psychiatric Times said the administration
had proposed an increase in the budget for the Center for Mental Health
Service from $862 million in 2004 to $912 million in fiscal 2005.
TeenScreen is sure to get a cut of those tax dollars.

Federal tax dollars are also being funneled through state governments to
fund TeenScreen. On Nov 17, 2004, Officials at the University of South
Florida Department of Child & Family Studies said $98,641 was awarded to
expand the TeenScreen program in the Tampa Bay area.

In Ohio, under the governor's Executive Budget for 2006 and 2007, the
Department of Mental Health has specifically earmarked $70,000 for
TeenScreen for each of those years, reports investigator Sue Weibert.

On June, 2002 the Update Newsletter published by the Tennessee Department
of Mental Health, reported that 170 Nashville students had completed a
TeenScreen survey. The Newsletter said the survey was funded by grants from
AdvoCare and Eli Lilly. Last I knew, Eli Lilly was a pharmaceutical company.

The great news for Pharma was that 96 of the 170 students who took the
survey ended up speaking to a therapist which no doubt resulted in the
recruitment of 96 new pill-popping teens.

Tax Dollars Spent On Drugs
Click Here for Financial information on Teen Screen

In Ohio there's Mike Hogan, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental
Health. He's hooked in with Parexel Medical Marketing, a front group that
takes Pharma money to set "advisory panels" for Pharma. The panel
memberships are made up exclusively of Mental Health, Medicaid and other
Directors from the various states. Michael Hogan is listed as an advisory
board member.

The panel members are treated to trips, first class accommodations and
other perks in exchange for showing up and listening to a spiel by Janssen
sales personnel who direct the course of the meetings. The same kinds of
meetings that Fiorello attended.

Hopefully will be just a matter of time before the new senate committee
disbands this gang of pharma-backed government pill-pushers.

Trying To Save The Children

Dire warnings against mass mental health screening are coming from every
segment of society, including parents, physicians, academics, journalists,
and human rights groups because the influence of the pharmaceutical
industry in this scheme is so patently obvious.

People are particularly worried about saving the children from senseless
and dangerous drugging. According to long-time anti-child drugging
advocate, Doyle Mills, "Psychiatry has a long history of abject failure.
Psychiatric treatments - drugs, electroconvulsive therapy, lobotomies -
have harmed millions and robbed them of any hope of a normal life."

Expert records researcher, Ken Kramer, has been fighting against child
drugging for years has conducted a research project on child suicides in
Florida that determined that medicating kids with the types of dangerous
mind-altering drugs on these lists is causing suicide. He helped defeat
TeenScreen's attempt to gain access to schools in 2 of Florida's largest
counties. Ken has a TeenScreen website at
http://www.psychsea rch.net/teenscre en.html

Dr Karen Effrem, a pediatrician and strong opponent of mandatory screening
recently warned, "Universal mental health screening and the drugging of
children ... needs to be stopped so that many thousands if not millions of
children will be saved from receiving stigmatizing diagnoses that would
follow them for the rest of their lives. America's school children should
not be medicated by expensive, ineffective, and dangerous medications based
on vague and dubious diagnoses."

In a letter to the editor in the Washington Times on October 31, 2004,
Effrem summed up the dangers of using tax dollars to fund mass mental
health screening of children:

"Given the very real problems of already existing coercion, subjective
criteria, dangerous and ineffective medication, and the failure of
screening to prevent suicide ... Congress would be wise to withhold the $44
million requested for state grants."

The nation's first law suit has been filed and let it serve as a warning to
other schools across the country to think twice before allowing the
TeenScreen recruitment scheme to zero in on their students.

Migraines, the second conversion

2008-02-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

After reading my conversion story, Danny reminded me about the migraine headaches. I told him that although that had an impact it wasn't the first time I believed. I would get about 3-4 migraine headaches a year. I would generally feel them coming on early in the morning. I would be sitting at work, and would start to wonder if it was the lighting that was making things seem "off." Generally I would notice what was going on in time to drive myself home. I would get home in time to tell Danny, and then spend the day in bed. The last migraine headache that I had in Utah my mom had given me a Imitrex for migraines. I took it and after about 30 minutes I felt like I had taken done speed. Now I had never really done speed before but from the description, I knew I was experiencing a little "trip". For as tired as I knew that I was, and for as much as I knew I should lay down I felt my mind racing and my body was aggitated. The migraine pain was gone, but the side effects were just as bad as the migraine. The day after I had the migraine I had what I called the migraine hangover, I didn't have the pain but my body was tired because of it. I feel lucky that I only had migraines a couple times a year, I did have regular headaches a couple of times a week.
We had been in Georgia about 4 months when I got a migraine. I called Danny at school, he told me to take it as easy as I could and he would get home as soon as he could. When he got home he told me he had made an appointment for me at the chiropractor. I got to the chiropractor, and didn't really care what he did to me as long as the pain in my head went away. He adjusted my neck once and the pain relieved a little bit. I told him it was a little better he felt my neck again and another adjustment, better, one more and the migraine was gone. In it's entirety gone. The only thing I felt was the hangover, and I could handle that. I haven't had a migraine since, 2 years migraine free. The regular headaches disappeared as well. I do get a headache from time to time, and immediately head into the chiropractor, get adjusted and my headaches are gone.
Because of the difference in severity and duration of migraines, not all migraines are going to disappear immediately, however within the first month of treatment you should see a difference.
A friend of Danny's used to suffer from migraines that would put him in bed for 3-4 days at a time, and they happened at least once a month. He was finally turned to chiropractic and with the adjustments he migraines decreased in frequency and severity. He is to the point where he has maybe one to two migraines a year, and they last one day because he seeks care upon starting the migraine. This changed his life so much he packed up and headed to school to become a chiropractor in his 40's.
The best part of trying chiropractic is that there is zero side effects. Any medication that your try is bound to come with side effects, here is the list of side effects from Imitrex
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using sumatriptan and call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as:
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

fast heart rate, agitation, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, lack of coordination, with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;

seizure (convulsions); or

numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes.

Less serious side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

muscle pain;

warmth or redness under your skin;

pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;

sneezing, runny nose, congestion, cough;

burning, numbness, pain or other irritation in your nose or throat after using the nasal spray;

unusual taste in your mouth after using the nasal spray;

dizziness, sleepiness; or

drooling or sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. For the complete list of things to watch for, tell your doctor about, not use with, not use after, things to avoid (one of them is thinking (LOL)), etc. CLICK HERE
With chiropractic the only side effect of an adjustment is that you might find that the pain you had in your leg, the restlessness you felt going to sleep at night, or the grinding of your teeth is gone! I would give you a link but just like with each adjustment being specialized for each patient, the potential side effect "benefit" will be different for each person (aren't you lucky!) Research

My Conversion to Chiropractic

2008-01-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

I will never forgot the two days and two phone calls that sent us on the path to chiropractic. The first happened in February 2005 when Danny and I were sitting in a casino in Wendover, Utah. It was mid-morning, and I believe Danny was on a break from his poker tournament, and I was playing black-jack. The phone rang and Danny spoke to a friend for about 5 minutes. When he got off the phone I asked who it was and he told me it was his friend Whit. He said Whit was calling to tell him that he had been accepted to go to Chiropractic school in Georgia. Then Danny told me something about himself that he had never mentioned in the 5 years of our marriage, that before he ever wanted to be a dentist he had wanted to be a chiropractor. I said oh I guess that would have been cool. See we had just bought our first house, he had just been promoted to be an assistant manager at Sam's Club, and we discussed our life future and goals from this position. He didn't say anything much else about it and I kind of forgot about it. A little over a month later Danny called me from work, he was in the car driving to a training in Roy Utah, and said he wanted to go to chiropractic school. I said whatever, are you serious? He said he was very serious. I said as long as you will make enough money that I can stay at home I don't really care what you do. As far a I knew chiropractors fixed backs, and I had never thought about going to one, the thought actually scared me a bit. I said if you are really serious I want to choose where we are going to go, he said okay look into and give me your options. I immediately got off the phone and onto the really slow internet (dial-up). I searched for schools to learn that there were only 16 in the U.S. and only 14 of them were accredited. I looked dillegently through all of the websites, seeing what I read, and how it made me feel. I knew the instant that my eyes hit the website for Life University, that this was the school for us. It wasn't because our friend was going to there, but because it was it, no other options. When Danny came home and looked at all the options he came to the same conclusions. So it was off to Georgia, sort of. First we had to try to sale our house (we ended up with a lease to purchse) then we moved in with Danny's parents for three months that turned into 6, this was so Danny could finish one more class at the University of Utah (go UTES!) We packed up a few days after Christmas and we were off on the adventure, that would literally change our lives.
I didn't know a thing about chiropractic, and although Danny knew somewhat of Chiro, it didn't even put a drop in the bucket of what we have learned. The first lesson that Danny came home with is that Chiropractic is a lifestyle, not just something that the doctor does to your back. The first lesson I learned was that I would have to be open to things, and not just accept things that I had always done as right. I would have to change. My first adjustment, was the thing that solidified that chiropractic works. A few days after I had Alison and Lisa a had a pain right under my left shoulder blade that was more intense and persistant than any other pain I had ever had in my body. After they finally came home from the hospital is started to subside, and about a month later the pain was "gone." Because of this I attributed the pain to stress, because whenever I was under high stress I would start to feel a faint pain in that spot. We had lived in Georgia for three months when I finally got up the courage to go to the chiro. He adjusted me, it didn't kill me, or hurt, and when I stood up I felt like my left shoulder was floating. Like someone had lifted a 15 pound weight (I am not exaggerating) off of my shoulder. I couldn't believe it I was excited and mystfied, and knew in the moment that my life was changed forever. I came home and immediately called my mom to tell her of my experience, she said that is fine, just as long as you don't tell me that chiropractic can cure cancer. I am here to tell you today mom, that a chiropractor as a physical being can't cure cancer. HOWEVER, the chiropractor can make adjustments to help the body function at it's very best, and living the chiropractic livestyle can help prevent or cure cancer. So when I am telling you things about chiropractic, please know I have stood in your shoes, I have doubted and feared, but I am proud to stand in my shoes (on my soapbox) and hopefully help others make the connection between health and chiropractic.
(on a side note, I no longer have the pain under my shoulder, but I am pretty sure that because it took so long for me to have it adjusted after the intial injury, I still have to have it adjusted every 3 months or so. And it is worth every second of it!)

Stay tuned I think next I need to explain the chiropractic lifestyle.

Why Chiropractic...

2008-01-29T17:47:00.000-08:00

I feel so passionate about Chiropractic, and didn't want to overrun by personal blog with Chiropractic, and Chiropractic Lifestyle information. For this purpose the Why Chiropractic Blog is born. Hopefully this will help you have a better understanding of what Chiropractic is (I had no clue until Danny's 3rd or 4th quarter.) Appreciate your current chiropractor, or make you ask for a chiropractor. Please know that this is information that I find and think is useful, if you want to know more ask questions. If you need help finding a good chiropractor let me know I would love to help. I LOVE Chiropractic, and know that it can help everyone in some way, shape, or form. And as Thomas Edison said, ""The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." If you don't believe me check out
Snopes.com it's for real!