ChiroACCESS: Tools for Better Patient Care

Papaya Leaf Tea and Fighting Cancer

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Natural products sometimes have profound properties that are capable of not only treating challenging human ailments but preventing them as well.

Healthcare "Beyond Category": Sic Transit Chiropractic Silos

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

But what distinguishes AK is its emphasis upon proprioceptive responses of the muscle rather than the facilitation of the muscle itself. It essentially sees muscle function as a transcript of the central integrative state of the anterior horn motoneurons, summing all excitatory and inhibitory inputs.6 In other words, the locus of dysfunction ultimately rests with the nervous system.

More Evidence Supporting the Effectiveness of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Cervicogenic Headache

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A study published in the February 2010 issue of The Spine Journal added additional evidence supporting the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation (SMT) for cervicogenic headache (CGH).

Leg Length and Osteoarthritis

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Two recent publications examining the possible relationship between leg length inequality and osteoarthritis have resulted from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST).

Comparative Effectiveness Research: No Longer Stuck in Neutral

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Until a serious effort is made to crank up our efforts at CER, the United States will remain very much third world in its attempts to deliver efficient and equitable healthcare.

Pedometers: A Small Thing With a Big Impact

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In a review of past research published in JAMA, the authors concluded that "In the RCTs, pedometer users significantly increased their physical activity by 2491 steps per day more than control participants (95% confidence interval [CI], 1098-3885 steps per day, P < .001). Among the observational studies, pedometer users significantly increased their physical activity by 2183 steps per day over baseline (95% CI, 1571-2796 steps per day, P < .0001)..."

Animals and Chiropractic

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There have been many favorable articles in the lay literature describing the value of chiropractic care for animals but scientific publications have been sparse. The first article indexed by the National Library of Medicine appeared in the early 1960s and many years passed before the next indexed entry. During the last decade the quantity and quality of the research supporting the value of chiropractic care for animals has improved.

The Calcium-Obesity Connection

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Calcium and dairy foods specifically are being studied for their importance in preventing obesity. They also appear to assists in weight loss for those that are obese.

Medical Physicians Ignore Low Back Pain Guidelines

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A February 2010 study of 3,533 general practice low back pain patients found that many providers are not following their own evidence based guidelines. Guidelines do provide the overall best evidence but are not meant to be a cookbook approach to care. There is also a need for flexibility so the physician can deviate from guidelines when the specific needs and desires of the patient dictate. In addition, the clinical judgment of the physician may override the guidelines when in a particular patient’s case they are inappropriate.

Technique Summary: Gonstead Technique

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Gonstead Technique was originated by Clarence Selmer Gonstead (1898-1978). Dr. Gonstead encountered chiropractic care when severe leg and foot pains, which were resistant to conventional medical care, responded to chiropractic adjustments. This event prompted Dr. Gonstead to seek a chiropractic education.

Revisiting the S-Word: A Fresh Look at the Subluxation

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Now that the second decade of the second millennium is upon us, together with the prospect of Spring Cleaning, it seems entirely appropriate to consider that perhaps the time has arrived to update both our conceptualization and exposition of the subluxation. In terms of how frequently one performs these updates compared to Microsoft, for instance, this shouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Think of it as Subluxation 2.0, 2.2, 2.7, 4.2…or whatever. But the larger picture is that better accessibility of the s-word by various healthcare professions in addition to chiropractic is clearly a necessity.

Obesity and Preventing Colorectal Cancer

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

According to recent research, obesity has a direct association with the risk of colorectal cancer. A recent study stresses the need for screening and patient education for the modifiable risk factors that can prevent this condition. Other studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between colorectal cancer and obesity.

Children, Backpacks and Back Pain

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Over a third of the children in the United States have back pain they associate with wearing backpacks. Recently several studies were published that provide a better picture of the risks associated with the ergonomic loading of backpacks. From this research there is additional information that each chiropractor should be aware of in order to prevent unnecessary backpack related injuries to children.

Autism, Asthma and Tylenol

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In the January 2010 issue of Medical Hypothesis, Becker and Schultz suggest that Tylenol may be implicated in both autism and asthma. The rate of these conditions has risen sharply in recent years but there continues to be controversy over the etiology. Little hard evidence exists but one study describes the significant increase in autism that began at the same time acetaminophen was recommended to take the place of aspirin.

Technique Summary: Activator Method

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Activator Method is part of the tradition of instrument adjusting in chiropractic dating to the first decade of the profession, and even farther back into antiquity. Credit for the origin of the Activator adjusting instrument rests with two rural Minnesota practitioners (Arlan W. Fuhr and Warren C. Lee). Activator Method assessment procedures have multiple conceptual roots, all of which are anchored in various subluxation theories.

Osteoarthritic Treatment with Magnetic Bracelets

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This new randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in Great Britain, examined the possible benefits of magnetic and copper bracelets on multiple symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. The strong research design used a wrist worn device resembling a wrist watch, where the internal contents were not visible to the research subjects.

Medical Training Related to Musculoskeletal Conditions is Inadequate

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

From Harvard Medical School in the U.S. to medical schools in Europe, medical education related to musculoskeletal conditions is inadequate. A 2009 survey tested physician’s knowledge related to simple low back pain management. The average survey score of family practitioners was 69.7 and the average score of orthopedists was far less at 44.3. Orthopedists were less likely to make the proper radiological referral and appropriate pharmacological prescription based upon the literature.

Sports Injuries and Stretching

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Watching the Olympic Games and other international sports venues demonstrates the global use of pre-competition warm-up and stretching exercises by athletes. Athletic trainers often assist athletes in their stretching routines. The expected benefits of stretching include increased flexibility and injury prevention. Often common beliefs and practices conflict with the scientific evidence and this is true to some extent with stretching. Although the use of stretching does provide some temporary increase in flexibility, the literature suggests that overall it does not help prevent sports injuries. As stated in a 2008 systematic review of the literature, “There is moderate to strong evidence that routine application of static stretching does not reduce overall injury rates.”

Death Doesn’t Take a Holiday

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The literature continues to draw a strong association with increased mortality and the Holiday Season. A significant association exists for cardiac deaths and both Christmas and New Years day. In the United States, the days of the year with the highest rate of noncardiac deaths are December 26th with the highest rate, the next highest death rate falls on December 25th, and the third, January 1st.

Mistletoe: Holiday Friend or Foe?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There are many health and other myths surrounding the popular Holiday use of mistletoe. It has been associated with anything from a romantic unexpected kiss to a dangerous poisonous substance to avoid. The ancient Celts believed mistletoe held the soul of the host tree. However, there is another side to mistletoe. It is a very well established aid to improve the immune system and is used for the care of many forms of cancer. The 2009 scientific publications supporting the clinical use of mistletoe have been numerous.