Alternative healing

Every day thousands of people head to their chiropractor’s office for an adjustment.  They have a variety of complaints and ailments and the chiropractor is there to assist them in feeling better.  But what if chiropractic could be combined with other alternative therapies to assist these patients to obtain optimum health and wellness?  

The medical field is about to undergo an amazing transformation in the way it operates and delivers healing to patients.  Some chiropractors believe primary care physicians will become obsolete by the year 2015 and in their place will spring alternative healing concepts such as chiropractors, Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists and naturopaths.  This is in reaction to the insurance crises going on in our country today.  

Osteopathic and Chiropractic. What is a difference?

The fundamental philosophy behind Chiropractic is that all disease within the body has its origin within restrictions of the spine, preventing correct neurological and circulatory supply to the organs and muscles of the body. Chiropractors therefore work to release restrictions found within the joints of the body.

Osteopaths work to release the restrictions within the joints of the body as Chiropractors do, with the same philosophies as Chiropractors do, but also work very much with muscles, addressing the influence that muscular dysfunction / tightness / imbalance can have on the functioning of joints. They work closely with exercise prescription with the aim of ensuring permanent relief from pain wherever possible.

Osteopaths believe that treatment alone is not enough to correct a problem within the body; the patient must maintain the effects of treatment through self management techniques.

Foundation Position Statement on Chiropractic & Stroke

There is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes. The claims and statements that have been made and that have been interpreted by plaintiff attorneys and plaintiff experts to contend a link are based largely on anecdotes, case reports, and case controlled studies. 

A multitude of systematic distortions (biases) may effect the results and conclusions drawn from case-control studies. Other criteria must be used to determine whether a purported association is actually causative because an association does not prove causation. At this point in time due to the rarity with which vertebrobasilar accidents occur within this population, experimental evidence in humans and prospective cohort studies examining the hypothesis that chiropractic adjustments cause stroke - do not exist. In fact, recent research shows no evidence of excess risk of VBA stroke associated with chiropractic care as compared to primary care.

Regarding advising on risks - a risk should be disclosed if a reasonable patient in what the doctor knows or should know to be the patient’s position, would be likely to attach significance to the risk or cluster of risks in deciding whether to forego the proposed therapy. Patients and doctors must make this decision based upon appropriate information. Since there is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes, it is inappropriate to require a doctor to suggest that such a risk exists. 

Further, chiropractors utilize a number of techniques to address joint dysfunction and vertebral subluxation. Many techniques do not employ the type of manipulation that has been alleged to be a factor in vertebrobasilar accidents. This adds to the inappropriate nature of such a disclosure.  

Tips and advice how to avoid brittle bone disease

By heeding the following tips and advice recommended by the American Chiropractic  Association, Americans, young and old can adjust their lifestyles to avoid this brittle bone disease:

• Start a regular exercise program. Walking, skipping rope, jogging, playing racket sports, swimming and aerobics are all helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. These types of weight-bearing activity for 20 minutes, three times a week, are helpful.
• Although weight lifting exercises are generally recommended, the National Osteoporosis Foundation says those suffering from osteoporosis should consult their health care practitioner before beginning a weight lifting program, because excessive strain on the bones could result.
• Those with severe osteoporosis and who have suffered from fractures may find Tai Chi, a form of martial arts, to be a beneficial strength training exercise system.
• People suffering from osteoporosis should be careful when bending and lifting heavy objects, including grandchildren. Bend from the knees, not the waist, when lifting, and try to avoid hunching while sitting or standing.
• Be sure to include calcium in your daily diet. The National Institutes of Health's recommendations are 1,000 mg/day for post-menopausal women taking estrogen; 1,500 mg/day for post-menopausal women not taking estrogen, and 1,500 mg/day for men and women over 65 years of age.
• If you are looking for a calcium supplement, try one that's highly absorbable, such as microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC), or one of the malates, fumarates, succinates, glutarates, or citrates. But don't overdo it. Taking more than the recommended amount of calcium may cause kidney stones.
• Consider taking additional nutritional supplements, such as vitamins D, C, magnesium, zinc, and silica after consulting with your doctor of chiropractic.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, including fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. Try broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage, and turnip greens.
• Experiment with tofu, salmon, sardines, and grains. Low-fat milk and/or yogurt are good sources of calcium. (A glass of low-fat milk and a cup of yogurt add 600 mg of calcium to your daily diet)
• Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (herb teas, juices and coffee are not a substitute for water.) Avoid caffeine, carbonated sodas, alcohol, baked goods and junk food.
• If you drink coffee, drink at least a similar amount of additional water along with the eight 8-ounce glasses of water.
• Watch your animal protein intake.