Monday, February 11, 2013

Dr Oz ( and many MDs) on Chiropractic

On Friday I had a patient ask me why Chiropractic Care was on the Dr Oz show and how MDs feel about Chiropractic. The simple answer would be because "it works!" . On the other hand, these are really two very different questions and the answer is always dependent upon the perspective of the one answering as we well as asking the question.

This BLOG is because my patient was somewhat shocked at my answer.
"Chiropractic carries a strong feeling from both sides in our society, it questions very strong visceral paradigms for many, and substantiates them for others. Growing up, I had no use nor respect for Chiropractors! They weren't "real Doctors" and were basically "quacks" that got their license from a Cracker Jack box!" Can you imagine the look on her face as she stared at me? Now, how did I have that view even as a child? Well, of course, we get much of our early education and "opinions" from our parents. I explained that later in my college years I had used Chiropractic here and there growing up ( lots of headaches) but that I was pretty committed to Chemistry, Physics, Botany, and Pre Medical undergraduate programs. Being a smart patient, she asked the obvious question as to how on earth I had grown up with such negative attitudes towards Chiropractic, even began a pre-med program, yet, ended up a Chiropractor?

The answer, was in education!! I told her that at some point I had to get out of my box of "opinions" and give in to my own ignorance and decide to be open to an education. I had to realize that I was a bit dangerous..........yes, dangerous! A dangerous person being one whom is very opinionated while simultaneously very ignorant on a subject. I am pretty sure we have all met folks like this.

I gave her the example I had heard as a child wherein the neighbor had told my mother that her daughter was "cured" of asthma by getting her back "cracked" at the Chiropractor. Now,if that didn't elicit the biggest "bwahahahah haha haha" I had ever heard! Now, the neighbor was trying to help my mother with helpful information, yet this is how it was basically received, and why? Because of Education! The neighbor didn't know how to explain what she had encountered, but that it had helped. I get that, but said that "way," well, it certainly sounds "hokey."

My answer to my patient was that I had to go from hokey to scientific and do it in an open minded manner. I had to ask myself why so many went to the Chiropractor, what Chiropractic was "good for" (Conditions), and why I was finding some people went to their DC (Chiropractor) rather than their MD on the constant basis even with their kids. I said, "you see so many people, even MDs find themselves in my old boat, and if you don't get the proper information, then it is much like the tool you have never been taught to use, so you don't, and by the way, that compared to your usual tools, this one looks funny and weird, so not only do you not use the tool out of no knowledge, you also mock it out of strangeness based upon your then current paradigm."

I could make many more analogies, however my own story is a great one here, and very true. I had instructors at Chiropractic School that were MD's that at the time probably understood Chiropractic better than I did as a Chiropractic Student. The point being, that often information depends upon one's opinion from their paradigms.

So.................Dr Oz and general MDs on Chiropractic? Honestly Chiropractic hasn't really changed much since it's inception in 1895. Sure, some of us use different "tools" of our particular trade, however the biggest difference from DC's going to jail for practicing Medicine without a license in the 40's to it's now it being purported as a great treatment for low back pain on a Medical show, is social education and acceptability. The occurrence of "alternative" treatments being positively spoken of on a Medically-oriented show is a very positive thing for our society. This is because in terms of patient treatment, options are always a great thing! There is no "one size fits all" model for Healthcare. Patients need options and the freedom of choice to engage those options. Most importantly, patients need to be truly "aware" of their options.

So, to my patient, I have said that what you are seeing is an increase of awareness to many things that are non-medical and that it is this that is most responsible for the inclusion  more than the "advancement" of most "alternative" fields of healthcare. That in the end, both my Medical Friends and myself are great at what we do, we are both well intended to the maximum benefit of all of our patients and their well-being. Both sides see fantastic success as well as failure in treating our patients, unfortunately this is why it is called "practice" in some ways. Very important, is that Medical and Chiropractic are very different "Paradigms" and that the "science" is there for both. The determining factor is what the patient's "needs" are. Perhaps my adjustments won't help a patient that is too far gone and needs surgery? Perhaps surgery isn't appropriate for a spine that could be "adjusted." We all need to better understand the application of differing paradigms and therefore treatment modalities. Chiropractic Works! That's the answer, it's mostly a matter of understanding "how" it works, and an acceptance that it does work societally. The current science IS there on this, just ask your MD Neurophysiologist. This is why Chiropractic was on Dr OZ.

In our office I can tell you education is ALWAYS key. Ask any patient and they will agree that this is our focus. Every patient must understand "what" Chiropractic is in order to determine if it the "right" tool. Personally, I have argued vehemently for different patients to both avoid and have surgery. (imagine the response I get upon calling the surgeons office and then line itemizing the reasons why a patient needs surgery based upon the MRI's I am looking at? Not usually expected from the Chiropractor)

The point is that proper care should always be what is rendered! Every situation is different, you don't call the Police, when your house is on fire, and you don't call the fire department when all you need to do is fix the door frame.

Lastly, I would point out what seems obvious, however is periodically ignored for some reason in our mindset as the "mincing of words."
*Patients are people with a condition, they are not their condition!
*All of us rely upon the body's own natural ability to heal itself! All Adjustments, Medications, Surgeries, and even Chemo-Therapy are given as no more than a modality of treatment to a body that that in the end will either accept or reject that treatment as either right or wrong for its particular needs.
 *We all supply our treatment and then sit back and see what with body will do with it.
*Healing therefore, depends upon the patient! Medicine Works! Chiropractic Works! If properly applied, it all works.



6 comments:

  1. Otr 214427
    INTERNATIONAL CONCEPT OF WORK FROM HOME
    Work from home theory is fast gaining popularity because of the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. Since one is not bound by fixed working hours, they can schedule their work at the time when they feel most productive and convenient to them. Women & Men benefit a lot from this concept of work since they can balance their home and work perfectly. People mostly find that in this situation, their productivity is higher and stress levels lower. Those who like isolation and a tranquil work environment also tend to prefer this way of working. Today, with the kind of communication networks available, millions of people worldwide are considering this option.

    Women & Men who want to be independent but cannot afford to leave their responsibilities at home aside will benefit a lot from this concept of work. It makes it easier to maintain a healthy balance between home and work. The family doesn't get neglected and you can get your work done too. You can thus effectively juggle home responsibilities with your career. Working from home is definitely a viable option but it also needs a lot of hard work and discipline. You have to make a time schedule for yourself and stick to it. There will be a time frame of course for any job you take up and you have to fulfill that project within that time frame.

    There are many things that can be done working from home. A few of them is listed below that will give you a general idea about the benefits of this concept.

    Baby-sitting
    This is the most common and highly preferred job that Women & Men like doing. Since in today's competitive world both the parents have to work they need a secure place to leave behind their children who will take care of them and parents can also relax without being worried all the time. In this job you don't require any degree or qualifications. You only have to know how to take care of children. Parents are happy to pay handsome salary and you can also earn a lot without putting too much of an effort.

    Nursery
    For those who have a garden or an open space at your disposal and are also interested in gardening can go for this method of earning money. If given proper time and efforts nursery business can flourish very well and you will earn handsomely. But just as all jobs establishing it will be a bit difficult but the end results are outstanding.

    Freelance
    Freelance can be in different wings. Either you can be a freelance reporter or a freelance photographer. You can also do designing or be in the advertising field doing project on your own. Being independent and working independently will depend on your field of work and the availability of its worth in the market. If you like doing jewellery designing you can do that at home totally independently. You can also work on freelancing as a marketing executive working from home. know more, email us on workfromhome.otr214427@gmail.com and we will send you information on how you can actually work as a marketing freelancer.


    Internet related work
    This is a very vast field and here sky is the limit. All you need is a computer and Internet facility. Whatever field you are into work at home is perfect match in the software field. You can match your time according to your convenience and complete whatever projects you get. To learn more about how to work from home, contact us today on workfromhome.otr214427@gmail.comand our team will get you started on some excellent work from home projects.


    Diet food
    Since now a days Women & Men are more conscious of the food that they eat hence they prefer to have homemade low cal food and if you can start supplying low cal food to various offices then it will be a very good source of income and not too much of efforts. You can hire a few ladies who will help you out and this can be a good business.

    Thus think over this concept and go ahead. Otr 214427

    ReplyDelete
  2. Useful information shared. I am very happy to read this article. Thanks for giving us nice info. Fantastic walk through. I appreciate this post.

    chiropractic soap software   

    ReplyDelete
  3. In this you are telling about the Md's and Chiropractors that is nice info. Specially in last paragraph you cleared your thought what you want to told us.
    Auckland chiropractor

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing this post its have many thing about the chiropractic care like the conceptions of patient and other things. At that time it is coming in useful trends for curing diseases naturally.
    chiropractor Toronto

    ReplyDelete
  5. Read that last sentence again in its old and new forms - the meaning has been changed to the point of silliness. Although perhaps they are now referring to a different study? Who knows.Posture

    ReplyDelete