Therapeutic spinal manipulation has existed for at least 2,500 years, and chiropractic care as we know it today began more than a hundred years ago. Since that time, it has gained recognition worldwide as an effective form of medical care. Patient satisfaction is typically very high and studies have shown that when compared to conventional medical care, chiropractic is safer and more feasible financially. It's no surprise that many people enjoy chiropractic coverage through their insurance, and it's even offered to men and women serving in the military.' Clearly, chiropractic is accepted, widely used, and familiar to most people. It's also a profession in which a number of interesting footnotes have come to exist. Let's take a look at a few of the lesser-known facts about chiropractic. 1. May Help Torture Survivors Torture and trauma are real horrors that can cause survivors to experience pain, depression, PTSD, and other horrible, long-term problems. Could a wellness approach help to make them well? It seems so. The Boston University School of Public Health reports that some forms of complementary and alternative medicine, such as meditation, massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic, may be effective as part of a comprehensive approach for treating survivors of torture and trauma.2 2. Chiropractic is Worldwide Chiropractic is popular all over the world. Although the chiropractic profession was founded in the United States in 1895, spinal manipulation has a long history of use in China.3 By the 1960s, it had spread to Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. More recently, it has extended across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Australia." 5 In fact, in Australia, one in four adults have consulted with a chiropractor, and nearly 40% of the elderly population rely on complementary and alternative medicine such as chiropractic.6J 3. The Paper Sheet Really Works If you think about it, the average chiropractor's table probably comes into contact with as many people as the average park bench. As such, hygiene standards are important to make sure that the facilities do not become a petri dish of disgusting pathogens.8 In 2011, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College evaluated the cleanliness of area chiropractic clinics and found that, while bacteria was a valid concern, most chiropractors were proactive with disinfection and the paper sheet used to cover table headpieces was an effective barrier. 9 Make sure your chiropractor has his or her table cleaned and sanitized between each visit! 4. The Amish Like Chiropractic Too The Amish may reject many of the modern "conveniences" that a lot of us enjoy, but there is no denying that they have somewhat of a reputation for embracing a robust, natural approach to maintaining good health-one quite similarto wellness. It's no surprise that this has led to an acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the Amish community. A few years ago, the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine conducted a survey of Amish women concerning their use of CAM and reported that 36% used nutritional supplements, herbal therapies, and chiropractic medicine. 10 5. Chiropractors Do it Better It's not uncommon for an adjustment to produce an almost orgasmic moan of relief. If you've ever had a kink in your neck that a chiropractor was able to remedy, you know what I mean. It begs the question: Why does it feel so good? Well, in addition to relieving pinched nerves, realigning the misaligned, and generally guiding things back to where they need to be, manipulation stimulates muscular and tendon sensory receptors to produce an excitatory effect on the central nervous system. n 6. Sometimes the Healers Need Healing Being a chiropractor can be physically demanding and there are times when performing an adjustment requires you to throw your back into it. Unfortunately, chiropractors aren't immune to throwing their backs out. In 2006, the the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic surveyed 1,000 US chiropractors to determine what work-related injuries they've experienced. Respondents said that the most common injuries affected their hands, shoulders, and lower back, and occurred while performing an adjustment or positioning a patient. It was also reported that most injuries occurred in the first five years of practice, which gives credence to experience.12 7. Female Chiropractors Can Hold Their Own As said, being a chiropractor can present physical demands and performing an adjustment can require a lot of thrust. This has led some (not myself) to squint their eyes and wonder if smaller-framed female chiropractors can cut the mustard. Well, guys, fear not. When researchers at the University of Victoria pitted the abilities of 14 male chiropractors against 14 female chiropractors, they found that female chiropractors are just as able as their male colleagues.13 8. A Little More Diversity Would be Nice The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported that the average chiropractic patient in 2008 was white, female, of higher income, and lived in a small metropolitan area. 14 Although Medicare covers chiropractic care, the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice also found that from 2002 through 2008,97% of Medicare-covered recipients of chiropractic care were white.1S Why is this? Everyone can benefit from chiropractic. I would really love to hear some feedback, though. What can the chiropractic industry do to attract a more accurate sampling of our diverse American population? 9. Don't Let Your Untrained Friend Adjust You "Hey, dude! Will you pop my back?" Have you ever heard someone say that? Worse, have you ever said it? Even worse, have you been the one to do the popping? Stop it! Proper chiropractic care involves more than a few simple motions, and manipulation is only safe when performed by someone who has received the necessary training. Chiropractic is not "monkey see, monkey do"! Do you need proof? In 2001, a man in India developed severe spinal cord and brainstem problems after receiving an adjustment from a barber.16That's just one example—it's a bad idea. 10. One of the Most Successful Chiroprac tors Ever was Blind Visual impairment does not make a person incapable, and a fantastic example of that was Dr. Charles Robinson Johnson. In 1918, Dr. Johnson graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic when he was 39 and became the first blind chiropractor, and one of the most successful. For more than 25 years, he practiced in Peekskill, New York and had a well-traveled reputation as a miracle healer, treating hundreds of patients each week. The newspapers even called him, "The Man Who Made Peekskill Famous." Quite an achievement for someone born in a mining camp!17 References: 1. DeVocht JW. History and overview of theories and methods of chiropractic: a counterpoint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006 Mar;444:243-9. Longacre M, Silver-Highfield E, Lama P, Grodin M. Complemen tary and alternative medicine in the treatment of refugees and survivors of torture: a review and proposal for action. Torture. 2012;22(l):38-57. Chapman-Smith DA. Legislative approaches to the regulation of the chiropractic profession. Med Law. 1997;16(3):437-49. Li YK, Zhong SZ. Spinal manipulation in China. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 Jul-Aug;21(6):399-401. Assendelft WJ, Pfeifle CE, Bouter LM. Chiropractic in The Neth erlands: a survey of Dutch chiropractors. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 Mar-Apr;18(3):129-34. Xue CC, Zhang AL, Lin V, Myers R, Polus B, Story DF. Acupunc ture, chiropractic and osteopathy use in Australia: a national population survey. BMC Public Health. 2008 Apr l;8:105. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-105. Zhang AL, Xue CC, Lin V, Story DF. Complementary and alterna tive medicine use by older Australians. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007 Oct;1114:204-15. Bifero AE, Prakash J, Bergin J. The role of chiropractic adjusting tables as reservoirs for microbial diseases. Am J Infect Control. 2006Apr;34(3):155-7. Puhl AA, Reinhart CJ, Puhl NJ, Selinger LB, Injeyan HS. An investigation of bacterial contamination on treatment table surfaces of chiropractors in private practice and attitudes and practices concerning table disinfection. Am J Infect Control. 2011 Feb;39(l):56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.05.029. von Gruenigen VE, Showalter AL, Gil KM, Frasure HE, Hopkins MP, Jenison EL.Complementary and alternative medicine use in the Amish. Complement Ther Med. 2001 Dec;9(4):232-3. Pickar JG. Neurophysiological effects of spinal manipulation. Spine J. 2002 Sep-Oct;2(5):357-71. Holm SM, Rose KA. Work-related injuries of doctors of chiro practic in the United States. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Sep;29(7):518-23. Forand D, Drover J, Suleman Z, Symons B, Herzog W. The forces applied by female and male chiropractors during thoracic spinal manipulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jan;27(l):49-56. Zodet MW, Stevans JM. The 2008 prevalence of chiropractic use in the US adult population. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Oct;35(8):580-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.10.001. Whedon JM, Song Y. Racial disparities in the use of chiropractic care under Medicare. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Nov- Dec;18(6):20-6. Misra UK, Kalita J, Khandelwal D. Consequences of neck ma nipulation performed by a non-professional. Spinal Cord. 2001 Feb;39(2):112-3. Rehm WS. "The man who made Peekskill famous": Dr. C.R. John ston-first blind chiropractor. Chiropr Hist. 1998 Dec;18(2):81-92. Dr. Edward F. Group III founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer. At the forefront of the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach to producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information. Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20years and Global Healing Center Inc., has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural, and organic health resources on the Internet. Contact Dr. Group at 713-476-0016 Ext. 222orvisitwww.globalhealingcenter.com.
