Posted tagged ‘adjustment’

Steak n’ BandAids

November 19, 2010

[originally published in KCN, December 2010]

“If you cut a piece of steak, put iodine and a bandage on it and even give it a shot of Penicillin… will the piece of steak heal itself?”  That’s the question my Mississippi chiropractic colleague recently posed in an article of his.  The answer, of course, is obvious enough for a child to answer.  The answer is no.

And yet as obvious as this answer is, as a society we don’t take it to heart.

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Off Label Chiropractic

October 29, 2010

[originally published in KCN, November  2010]

Every day in the practice of medicine doctors prescribe their patients “off label” medications.  And while some might confuse the term “off label” with “generic,” it really is quite different.  In fact, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, as many as one-fifth of all drugs are prescribed off label.

Basically, what this means is that the doctor has found a use for the medication other than its “on label,” or intended, purpose.  Examples of this include antiseizure medications to treat migraines, antidepressants to treat certain types of pain, and antianxiety medications to treat nausea.  A classic example of off label drug use is that of Rogaine.  Many are unaware that Rogaine is actually a blood pressure medication — a blood pressure medication that doctors (and their patients) soon found had an interesting side effect:  hair growth in balding men.

As common as the practice of off label prescribing is in medicine, it’s my contention that something very similar is practiced in chiropractic.  And while “off label chiropractic” isn’t actually a term… it should be. (more…)

Chiropractic and Conception

September 24, 2010

[originally published in KCN, October  2010]

“My husband and I are having difficulty conceiving… can chiropractic help?”

This is a question that I hear in my office from time to time, and my answer, I’m happy to say, is that it’s very possible!

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Happy Birthday, Chiropractic!

September 15, 2010

[originally published in KCN, September 2003]

Birthday CakeMark your calendars!  Because on September 18th, chiropractic turns 108 [115 by today’s date in 2010].  It was on this day back in 1895, from his office on the second floor of the Ryan Block building in Davenport, Iowa, that D.D. Palmer delivered his first adjustment — an adjustment that not only changed the life of his patient, but the lives of millions that would follow the birth of this new profession of chiropractic.

So, just what did the first chiropractic patient complain of?  Well, it may surprise you, but it wasn’t back pain, neck pain, or even headaches. (more…)

Is Your Brain Hibernating?

July 1, 2010

[originally published in KCN, July 2002/ cartoon provided by TomLamarCartoon.com]

It’s pretty much common knowledge that chiropractic is effective for various forms of low back pain, neck discomfort, and headaches.  We see these conditions all the time.  The literature supports what we do, and we are fairly adept at explaining how it all works.  But there are some conditions that chiropractic treatment ends up benefiting without our even setting out to do so — and explaining these, well, often leaves us speechless.   (more…)

Anything But Spare

June 4, 2010

[originally published in KCN, June 2002]

We have 12 pair of them.  Two of the pairs “float.”  They are essential for breathing and the protection of our heart, lungs, and other vital organs.  God took one from Adam to create Eve.   Restaurants serve them:  short, spare, baby back, and prime.  And some condoms are accentuated by them.  Oh, did I mention, chiropractors adjust them.  What am I talking about?  I’m not “ribbing” you, I’m talking about our ribs.

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TMJ and the Chiropractor

May 28, 2010

[originally published in KCN, June 2010]

There I sat in the dental waiting room, flipping through a magazine as my toe kept time to the Muzak.  Suddenly, the young dentist poked his head out from behind the door and called my name. He looked worried.  And to tell you the truth, I began to feel the same way — because I wasn’t there to be seen.  It was my wife’s turn in the chair, and I was only waiting.

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Stomach Doctors

May 21, 2010

[originally published in KCN, May 2002/ cartoon provided by TomLamarCartoon.com]

Chiropractors are back doctors.  Right?

Well, while it is true that we place our hands on backs every day, calling us back doctors really misses the mark.  As a matter of fact, calling chiropractors “back doctors” makes about as much sense as calling medical doctors “stomach doctors.”

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