SUBLUXATION DEFINED BY ASSOCIATION OF CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES... The following is taken from the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Postion Paper #1, published in 1996. I thought you might get some added insight into Chiropractic by reading it. "Chiropractic is concerned with the preservation and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the subluxation. A subluxation 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. A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed and managed thru the use of chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational and empirical evidence." 1.

MORE AND MORE SEEK ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE... In November 1998, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study that found that more and more people are seeking the services of alternative health care practitioners. In fact, the number of visits to alternative health care practitioners is now close to 2 times the amount of visits to traditional primary care practitioners. One of the authors of this study offered an explanation for this finding in a separate paper, published in Archives of Internal Medicine in November 1998. He states,"Chiropractic finds its voice exactly where biomedicine becomes inarticulate. Too often, biomedicine fails to affirm a patient's chronic pain. Patients think their experience is brushed aside by a physician who treats it as unjustified, unfounded, or annoying, attitudes that heighten a patient's anguish and intensify suffering. ..." Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997. Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 11, 1998;280(18), pp1569-75. Kaptchuck TJ, Eisenberg DM. Chiropractic: Origins, controversies, and contributions. Archives of Internal Medicine, Nov. 9, 1998;158(20), pp2215-24. 2.


CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS EFFECTIVE IN TREATMENT OF MIGRAINES... In October 1998, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) published a study that found that, when compared to the drug amitriptyline, chiropractic adjustments were as effective in the treatment of migraine headaches. Nelson CF, Bronfort G, Evans R, et al. The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for prophylaxis of migraine headaches. Journal of Manipulative and physiological Therapeutics, Oct. 1998;21(8), pp511-19. 3.

VACCINE USE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASE IN GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME... Recently, the results of an influenza vaccine study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). NEJM stated that the study revealed that a definite relationship exists between administered influenza vaccine and increases in the number of cases of Guillain-Barre paralysis, a life-threatening disease that attacks the peripheral nervous system. In fact, as much as a 70% increase in the number of cases of Guillain-Barre was seen in those who received flu vaccine between the years of 1992-1994, the years the study was conducted. Chiropractors have long warned about the adverse effects of vaccines, and have advocated choice in the matter of whether to administer a vaccine or not. If you would like more information on the adverse effects of vaccines, please click HERE! New England Journal of Medicine, December 17, 1998. 4.

STUDIES REVEAL EFFECTS OF SPINAL NERVE ROOT COMPRESSION... In 1975 Seth Sharpless, a researcher at The University of Colorado, did a study on the effects of compression at the level of the nerve root. His finding was that only 8-10mmHg of pressure can have profound effects and result in significant conduction block in the nerve root. The weight of a dime on the back of your hand equals about 8-10mmHg of pressure. Sharpless's finding was confirmed in a 1995 study that found that when a bundle of nerves known as the cauda equina, (these nerves resemble a horse's tail as they emanate from the low back and tail bone regions), were compressed at their nerve roots at only 10mmHg pressure it resulted in decreased action potentials. In 1992 B.L. Rydevik, a research scientist, found that it took only 5-10mmHg of pressure at the nerve root to interfere with the supply of nutrition to the nerve root. Finally, M. Hause, another researcher, found that pain is not neccesarily present when nerve roots are compressed. Hause's study also found that with compression there were mechanical changes, circulatory changes, production of inflamatory agents which will produce pain, and disturbed cerebral spinal flow. What the findings of this research mean to you is that, if you have a subluxation in your spine, it can be responsible for the pain you may or may not feel, and the dysfunction you are experiencing. When a vertebra is misaligned it can cause the nerve root to experience increased pressure which in turn can cause you to suffer from all that these researchers found. Sharpless, SK: Susceptibility of spinal roots to compression block. NINCDS Monograph 15, DHEW publication (NIH) 76-998, 1975, pp155-61. Konno S, Olmarker K, Byrod G, et al: Intermittent cauda equina compression. Spine 1995; 20(1):1223. Rydevik, BL: The effects of compression on the physiology of the nerve roots. JMPT 1992;15(1):62. Hause, M: Pain and the nerve root. Spine 1993;18(14):2053. 5.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT IMPROVES STRENGTH AND RANGE OF MOTION IN WRIST 19 MONTHS AFTER FRACTURE... The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) recently published the results of a study done to judge the effectivess of specific joint adjustments in a patient suffering from loss of strength and range of motion in her wrist after experiencing a fracture to her wrist 19 months earlier. After receiving four adjustments to her wrist, the patient showed a significant increase in both strength and active range of motion. Kaufman R, Bird, J. Manipulative Management of Post-Colle's Fracture Weakness and Diminished Active Range of Motion. Journal of Manipulative and physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 1999;22(2). 6.

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS FOUND TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF LIVES AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ADDED HEALTH CARE COSTS... Chiropractic has always advocated drug free health care and it seems, with good reason! In the past few years a number of studies, concerning the effects that adverse prescription drug reactions have on patients and on the health care industry, have been published. These studies reveal some disturbing facts about health care in The United States. For example, it is estimated that adverse prescription drug reactions increase the risk of death to a patient approximately 2 times. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 140,000 people die every year from adverse prescription drug reactions! In addition, in The United States alone, the ill effects of adverse prescription drug reactions and the deaths that they cause cost an estimated $136 billion dollars per year in added health care costs. That figure is more than what it costs for all the cardio-vascular care or diabetes care in The United States per year. If you suffer from an adverse prescription drug reaction you are likely to have to stay in the hospital for 2 to 5 more days at an added cost of $3000 to $5000 dollars! This knowledge, though shocking, is not new. As far back as 20 years ago, it was known that approximately 30% of hospitalized patients experience an adverse prescription drug reaction. In fact, it was estimated back then that 1 in every 300 hospital patients suffer a fatal reaction to prescibed medication. To learn more about prescription drugs or the known side effects of the drug(s) you are taking, you can consult with your Doctor of Chiropractic, or you can click HERE! to reference the data base of www.miningco.com. Classen DC, Pestonik SL, Evans RS, et al: Adverse drug events in hospitalized patients. Excess length of stay, extra costs, and attributable mortality. JAMA 1997;277(4):301 Johnson JA, Bootman JL: Drug-related morbidity and mortality. A cost-of-illness model. Arch Intern Med 1995;155(18)1949. Bates DW, Spell N, Cullen DJ, et al: The costs of adverse drug events in hospitalized patients. JAMA 1991;277(4)307. 7.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE JUDGED TO BE SUPERIOR TO HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT CARE IN TREATMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN... In a study published in The British Medical Journal in June of 1990, chiropractic care was found to be be superior to hospital outpatient treatment in patients with severe or chronic low back pain due to biomechanical reasons. Those participants in the study who received chiropractic care reported less pain and greater range of motion in a 2 year follow-up than those participants receiving hospital outpatient management. Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Townsend J, Frank AO. Low back pain of mechanical origin: randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient treatment. BMJ 1990;300(6737):1431-1437. 8.

DEATH RATE/COMPLICATION RATIO OF OVER THE COUNTER NSAID'S IS 400 TIMES GREATER THAN CHIROPRACTIC CERVICAL ADJUSTMENTS... In a study published in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) it was reported recently that, use of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAID'S) is 400 times more likely to result in death or other complications which could result in death than a Chiropractic Cervical Spine Adjustment! Dabbs V,Lauretti W. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs. NSAID'S for the treatment of neck pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Oct. 1995; vol.18, no.8, pp.530-536. 9.

NO STROKES OR DEATHS FOUND IN 5,000,000 CERVICAL ADJUSTMENTS... In a review study published in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) it was reported that not one instance of stroke or death resulted from the 5 million Chiropractic Cervical Spine Adjustments that were given in the public clinic of a Chiropractic College in The United States of America! Jaskoviac, P. Complications arising from manipulation of the cervical spine. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1980;pp.213-219. 10.

CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS SUCCESSFUL IN TREATMENT OF EPILEPTIC PATIENT SUFFERING WITH LOW BACK PAIN; DRAMATIC DECREASE IN SEIZURE RATE NOTED AS WELL... A recent study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) reported a successful outcome in resolving the low back pain of a 21 year old female after receiving Chiropractic Full Spine Adjustments. Of interesting note is that the woman had been a known epileptic since childhood, and that the incidence of her seizures after Chiropractic Full Spine Adjustments had decreased dramatically. While no cause and effect between the efficacy of Chiropractic Full Spine Adjustments and the decrease in seizure rate can be claimed from this one study, certainly, further study of the effects of Chiropractic Full Spine Adjustments and epilepsy is indicated. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1998;21:410-418. 11.

CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC WHIPLASH SYMPTOMS... The results of a recent study conducted on 28 patients who suffer from chronic whiplash symptoms was published in Injury Magazine. Of the 28 patients, 93% showed improvements after receiving Chiropractic Adjustments. The study reported that 43% of those who experience a whiplash trauma will suffer from long term symptoms which do not respond to conventional treatments. Injury 1996;27(9):643. 12.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE EFFECTIVE IN HEALING OF ULCERS... The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) published a study in 1994 that showed that chiropractic adjustments were effective in helping the body to heal ulcers. The study compared traditional medical care to that of chiropractic care and found that those patients receiving chiropractic care experienced healing 10 days earlier than the patients receiving traditional medical care. Of note is that the patients receiving chiropractic care reported diminished pain levels 9 days earlier than the patients receiving traditional medical care. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1994;17(5):310-313. 13.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE INDICATED IN PATIENTS WITH SCIATICA DUE TO DISC HERNIATION... The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) published a case study in 1998 that concluded that chiropractic care is beneficial and indicated in the treatment of sciatica due to a herniated disc. The authors of the study added that chiropractic care should be considered before surgical intervention. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1998;21:288-294. 14.

USE OF NSAID'S CAUSES 16,500 PEOPLE TO DIE FROM BLEEDING STOMACH ULCERS... On December 12, 1998 USA Today reported that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAID'S) caused the deaths of 16,500 people in the United States last year. About the same number of people died from AIDS. A disturbing fact, revealed in the article, is that 3 out of 4 people who take NSAID'S are unaware of the risks involved! USA Today 12/1/98. 15.

STUDY SHOWS CHIROPRACTIC EFFECTIVE IN TREATMENT OF INFANTILE COLIC... The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) published a study in 1999 conducted by The Danish National Health Service, that concluded that chiropractic care has a "...positive short-term effect on infantile colic". The authors of the study added that, "Spinal manipulation is normally used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, and the results of this trial leave open two possible interpretations. Either spinal manipulation is effective in the treatment of the visceral disorder infantile colic or infantile colic is, in fact, a musculoskeletal disorder, and not, as normally assumed, visceral." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1999;22:517-22. 16. Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine Study Indicates That Chiropractic Is "...Only Proven Method" For Chronic Whiplash Symptoms... The Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine published a study recently that concluded that chiropractic is the "...only proven method" for patients suffering chronic whiplash symptoms. In fact, the authors of the study reported that 74% of the patients in their study improved after chiropractic adjustments. The authors stated that their results, "...confirm the efficacy of chiropractic" - (See study #11 above for an account of a previous study, done by Woodward et al. and published in Injury, which found that 93% of chronic whiplash suffers improve with chiropractic). The authors went on to say that, "The results of this study provide further evidence that chiropractic is an effective treatment for chronic whiplash symptoms." Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine 1999;21:22-25. Injury 1996:27:643-645. 17. Results Of Case Study On Chiropractic Rehabilitation of the Osteoarthritic Knee Released By Journal of Sports & Chiropractic Rehabilitation... The Journal of Sports and Chiropractic Rehabilitation published a case study recently on Rehabilitation of the Osteoarthritic Knee. Osteoarthritis is prevalent in our society and it affects the elderly population more severely than any other age group. In the case study, "...a 68 year old man with a seven year history of left knee pain and inabilities to perform daily activities..." was put on a 3 month program of functional rehabilitation aimed at increasing the following: flexibilty of the knee flexor muscles, aerobic (cardivascular) capacity, muscle strength, joint proprioception, and restoration of proper gait. Previously, the 68 year old man had been treated for his osteoarthritis with, "...medication, bracing, brief non-weight bearing proprioceptive and stregnthening exercises, and an orthopedic recommendation for a total knee replacement". At the conclusion of the study, "...brace and medication usage were discontinued and numerous functional improvements were noted, including resumption of proper walking and elimination of pain medication". The author concluded that, "the role of chiropractic rehabilitation in the care of osteoartritic patients may be crucial in slowing the progression and severity of the disease process...". Journal of Sports Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 2000:14(3),pp62-69.