Why We’ve Stayed Open

While attending a meeting of the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation Board a couple of days ago, someone asked me whether I was back, working in my practice yet. She assumed that we shut our practice down. After all, countless other organizations had, trying to quarantine their way to safety. I told her that we had continued holding regular office hours throughout this pandemic. It surprised and pleased her to learn the reasons why. Soon after that meeting a practice member called asking if we were open, as he wished to schedule an appointment. He also seemed surprised to learn that we had stayed open. In both cases I explained how chiropractic is an essential health care service. Chiropractic care is especially important to persons concerned with good immune system function.

Like all other body systems, our immune system is controlled and coordinated by our brain, through the nerve system.  We must also remember that our first line of protection against the ills of infectious disease is our own immune system. This underscores why we need to keep a good nerve supply, especially at times like this. It’s why when the issue of pandemic arose there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation about keeping the practice open. I also knew that my chiropractor would keep her practice open, because she also understands that chiropractic is about much more than just an ache or pain. It’s about our ability to express life.

I’ve heard much about people continuing to work during these times being referred to as heroes. But I don’t view it that way. It doesn’t feel particularly heroic to simply do one’s job. People need what we do, and it would be immoral to deny that service in this situation.

For more details please click on our recent blog entries on this subject: https://www.youneedchiro.com/blog/blood-on-the-street/

and  https://www.youneedchiro.com/blog/coronamania/

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Blood on the Street

Today’s Fox News headline reads in stark bold letters “Blood on the Street.[1]  No, they weren’t referring to a public health crisis, but rather to the crashing stock market, an effect of the hysteria that has set in as officials mix science, the unknown, and politics into an unprecedented brew.

CNN echoed the fear, reporting that while near-panic is being felt around the country, the White House attempted to quell concerns about supply chains. After Mr. Trump met with grocery, food and beverage corporate leaders on Sunday, White House Deputy Press Secretary, Judd Deere indicated that “Supply chains in the United States are strong, and it is unnecessary for the American public to hoard daily essentials.”[2]

Nevertheless, we are in reactionary times, reminding me of a similar time when President Franklin D. Roosevelt told us that “…the only thing we have fear is fear itself.[3] His words are reflected in the irrational panic we’ve been seeing as people empty grocery store shelves of toilet paper. While prudent steps should be taken, overreaction is harmful, and creates bigger problems than what we feared in the first place.

A fair amount of misinformation has been spread around, so let’s consider a few things. Infectious disease experts keep telling us that there are two basic things the public should be doing, wash your hands with soap and water, and stay away from sick people. By the way, Dr. Otto Yang, infectious disease expert at UCLA reports that soap and water works better than alcohol-based hand sanitizers for corona.[4] Remember, your best defense against infectious disease is a strong, healthy immune system. The basics essential to keeping your immune system functioning at top efficiency are the same ones that we should be doing to stay healthy all the time, anyway. Good nutrition, adequate rest and exercise (that doesn’t mean just put in more hours and work harder on the job). Exercise should be thought of as healthful movement and activity – the things we do aside from the daily toil of earning a living.  A walk in the park gives both fresh air and vitamin D boosting sunshine, contributing both exercise and nutrition to our immune systems.[5] Let’s not forget the importance of lots of fresh, clean water, and a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. That means avoiding fast foods, and eating less junk food. This all sounds like the things we learned in elementary school, yet somehow we seem to think that they no longer apply to our stressed, busy lives. In reality these basic essentials are even more important now than ever. Good hygiene is another essential that goes a long way toward keeping us well. Yes, we all know that we need to wash our hands, so keep plenty of soap and warm water available, relying on hand sanitizers only when soap and water isn’t possible.

Amongst the essentials to having good immune response is a healthy nerve system. Remember, the brain uses the nerve system to control and coordinate all body functions, which includes the immune system. That’s why we believe that getting your spine checked and adjusted is so important, especially now. It’s also why our policy, based on all available information, is to remain open and available to you.

Knowing the concerns about controlling the spread of infection, we have reviewed our own procedures with everyone’s health and safety in mind. Here are a few things that we are doing about it right now:

  • We are increasing the frequency of our sanitation procedures, especially where people are in contact with the adjusting tables.
  • In order to efficiently sanitize the children’s play area, we are temporarily removing the smaller toy items. Parents are urged to bring an item or two from home for their kids (and be sure to take them with you when your family leaves for home).
  • To keep the numbers of people in the office at any given time to a minimum, we are scheduling a maximum of three to four appointments per hour.
  • If you are under the weather, you should stay home.
  • If you think that you may have been in contact with someone who has been exposed to an infectious illness, please notify us prior to coming in for your appointment.
  • Important: if you have recently traveled to an area with high rates of infections, please notify us prior to arriving for your appointment.
  • For persons paying with debit or credit cards, we have placed the terminal within your reach, and it is being cleaned after each person’s use.

[1] Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/, accessed March 16, 2020

[2] Cable News Network, https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/15/politics/supply-chain-shortages-coronavirus-pandemic/index.html, accessed March 16, 2020

[3] President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933 Inaugural Address, https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=audio%3a+nothing+to+fear+but+fear+itself&view=detail&mid=707FCAA86D6E10F73FC9707FCAA86D6E10F73FC9&FORM=VIRE

[4] Los Angeles Times,  https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-03-03/how-bad-could-coronavirus-outbreak-get, accessed March 4, 2020

[5] Dr Jenna Macciochi, writing for The Mail, https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/news/how-to-boost-your-immune-system-against-coronavirus-dr-jenna-macciochi-reveals-her-top-tips-for-fighting-off-the-killer-disease/ar-BB11cdSM?li=AAJsMOW, accessed March 16, 2020

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Coronamania

Coronamania

This week several people have asked me whether I was doing anything special to prepare for the corona virus outbreak. Knowing that a properly functioning immune system is the key to staying well, and how corona has become a near-hysteria issue in the media, it’s important to consider some facts.

First, consider that as of this writing, U.S. health officials continue to tell us that we face a greater threat from the flu, than we do from the corona virus.[i] As of this morning, March 4, 2020, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) of the United Nations reports nine deaths having ties to corona in the U.S.[ii] The heartbreak their families suffer cannot be overstated. W.H.O. indicates a global death rate of 3.4% of the persons infected. Let us be mindful then that 96.6% of those infected survive the illness.

To give some perspective, yesterday the Los Angeles Times reported that the most recent pandemic flu outbreak of 2009 infected 60.8 million people in the U.S. resulting in approximately 12,500 fatalities. This compares to the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, the worst epidemic in the 20th century, which resulted in 675,000 U.S. deaths. Dr. Otto Yang, infectious disease expert at UCLA says preventive measures like washing your hands frequently with soap and water, and staying home if you are sick. He added that soap and water are better than alcohol-based hand sanitizers for corona.[iii]

It’s interesting how very often some of the most basic good living habits have the biggest effect on whether or not people get sick. In addition to hygiene, nutrition, and exercise, Dr. Dan Murphy points out how important a good nerve supply is to optimal immune system function. Keep in mind that persons with a weakened immune system are usually the first to become ill. It was also fascinating to learn that during the horrible flu outbreak of 1918, people receiving chiropractic adjustments had 1/40th the death rate compared with those receiving medications to treat their illness. Here’s a link to his commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s705eHA3eI8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0V4q9CdrTy-5r0Uz9RKo394WIrxzvxYGhLmFqjRREfdyJkwN0CH-MVvwY

The information about corona continues to change rapidly. As consumers it’s important for us to keep updated, but not to overreact. Wash regularly with soap and water, but don’t overdo it with antibacterial and alcohol based hand cleaners. Becoming a “germophobe” is an unhealthy, obsessive behavior. Remember, our bodies were designed to function in an environment that is full of microorganisms. Dr. Dwayne Hoskins, Executive Director of the Palmetto State Chiropractic Association, made the following short video yesterday (March 6th) to keep us updated on this unfolding situation. Here he is speaking about keeping your immune system strong.

I like to leave people with some practical things they can do for them and their family. Just to make the point, I thought we might list those things from the negative. So here’s a list of things to do if you want to weaken your immune system and become much more likely to become ill.

How to weaken your immune system:

  1. Eat lots of fast food. That way you can be sure your body lacks the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and micronutrients needed for optimal health.
  2. Avoid adequate rest. Stay up late and rely on sugar, tobacco, coffee and energy drinks as needed.
  3. Become dehydrated. Reduce the effectiveness of your natural defense mechanisms by avoiding pure, clear water.
  4. Stop exercising. Reduce the efficiency of your lymphatic system, which depends on movement to circulate this vital germ-fighting fluid.
  5. Rarely wash your hands. Use your dirty hands and fingers to rub your eyes, pick your nose or wipe your lips.
  6. Be negative. Expect only the worst. Worry that you’ll be a victim. Closely monitor news reports about outbreaks, and above all, be fearful.
  7. Skip your chiropractic adjustments. Handicap your nervous system, the master system that controls your entire body. Only get your spine checked when you hurt, and wait until symptoms are present before doing anything.

Remember, the best way to catch something is to make yourself a hospitable host.

[i] Kaiser Health News, Facts Vs. Fears: Five Things To Help Weigh Your Coronavirus Risk, https://khn.org/news/facts-vs-fears-five-things-to-help-weigh-your-coronavirus-risk/ accessed March 4, 2020.

[ii] New York Times, Coronavirus Live Updates, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/04/world/coronavirus-news.html#link-3f29d747

[iii] Los Angeles Times, How bad could this coronavirus outbreak get?  https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-03-03/how-bad-could-coronavirus-outbreak-get

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Side Effects

We often get questions about what to expect from chiropractic from people wanting to know about the risks and benefits of care. The following inquiry recently arrived in my e-mail inbox. “I am a 31-year-old male…and I want to have a chiropractic adjustment. What are the side effects of a chiropractic adjustment?” Another person asked, “Can you get paralyzed from a chiropractor?” Knowing that what we do is safe and effective, my first reaction was to wonder, where do such questions come from? But with further consideration, these people are right to worry about side effects. It’s no secret that today’s health care practices are a leading cause of unintended illnesses and injuries. Calling those unplanned outcomes side effects almost sounds like they are unimportant. In reality they demonstrate the unpredictability of what happens in a live person’s body. If you put a drug into someone’s body and they feel better, they’re happy. If the drug hurts them, it’s called a side effect.

It’s amazing to watch the advertising techniques used on television to sell drugs. The aim is to treat symptoms, but often people are made worse by the drugs, giving them new diseases, or even killing them. The TV commercial doesn’t directly say, this might make you much worse, or kill you. Instead it will calmly list many known side effects, and matter-of-factly state that, deaths have happened.”

We live in a time when the consumer must be their own advocate. That’s why I’m actually pleased to hear this man’s concerns about the possibility of side effects. It is important to know that in health care there is always the possibility that things won’t go as planned. Amongst providers of health care, chiropractors continue to have one of the best records on safety.[1] Numerous studies have clearly demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments have been found to be safe and effective.[2]

The man who e-mailed about side effects needs to know that a precise chiropractic adjustment is a comfortable experience. Children often giggle as they proudly receive their adjustment, so it’s not something scary or to be dreaded. Most people really look forward to their chiropractic visit. They know that it’s done to improve the function of the whole body, not just get rid of what hurts in one particular place. That being said, some people have never been to a chiropractor for normal, life-enhancing care. They arrive on their first visit in pain, and just looking at them is an ordeal. The usual comforting experience is more difficult in those cases, but their distress isn’t a side effect, it’s just what they brought with them. Even in those situations, most people report that they soon feel better after receiving chiropractic care.

In response to the lady who asked about whether a chiropractor would paralyze her, I answered that nothing done in health care comes without any risk, but I tried to put it in perspective. If a doctor of chiropractic attempted to adjust you while he or she was intoxicated, and didn’t do any of the things we do every day to assure safe, effective care, then the possibility of injury would be very real. Chiropractors are trained to be professionals, whose concern for the health and well-being of their practice members is of paramount importance.

Like any health care provider, a chiropractor might make a mistake. Thankfully they are rare, and injuries very unlikely. A much greater concern is the damage done to a person not receiving necessary adjustments. One thing is for certain, we all need a good nerve supply to function well and to get the most out of life. Caring, skillful chiropractors safely help people to express more of their potential and function at their best.

To read more on this subject: https://www.youneedchiro.com/blog/crazy-talk/ 

[1] https://www.youneedchiro.com/blog/chiropractic-safe-for-kids/

[2] Mayo Clinic, Patient Care and Health Information, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chiropractic-adjustment/about/pac-20393513

 

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Happy Birthday

September is an important birthday month, not just for people like my sister Roberta, who has a September birthday, but also for the chiropractic profession and the people it serves.

birthday-cakeChiropractic, a relatively new profession, was born on September 18, 1895 when a Davenport, Iowa doctor discovered that a deaf man had a neck bone out of position. It all came about when Dr. Palmer asked a man how long he had been deaf. “Over 17 years, Dr. D.D.” Harvey Lillard answered.

Harvey Lillard, received first adjustment

Harvey Lillard, received first adjustment

It was a very loud conversation. Loud because Harvey could only make out what was being said when Palmer shouted at the top of his lungs.

Then the doctor asked a question that changed everything. He asked him why he was deaf. Harvey responded “It’s funny you should ask because I’ve been to all the doctors in Davenport and more of them over in Illinois, too. All of them tried to do different things in and around my ears to treat them. They all failed to help me, but none of them ever asked why I was deaf.” It was a great clue, shedding light on a question that everyone else failed to ask.

Harvey then told D.D. Palmer the story of how he became deaf. Mr. Lillard said “I don’t really know why I lost my hearing, but I know exactly when it happened.”

What exactly did happen?” Dr. Palmer asked.

Harvey explained “One day I was bent over in a corner scrubbing a floor with my brush and I felt a popping sensation in my neck. Immediately it seemed like someone put heavy mufflers over my ears and it kept on getting worse after that.”

Palmer asked “May I look at your neck?” Harvey nodded in agreement. Palmer found an unusual bump at the top of the neck, just below Harvey’s head. He touched the lump and Harvey winced in pain. He then asked, “How long has that been hurting?

Harvey answered “I never noticed the hurt before you touched it! I don’t think anyone has ever touched me there before.”

Dr. Palmer had been studying what was then known about the spinal cord and how it links the brain and body parts. He was very interested in how the nerve system is protected by the bones of the spinal column. In Harvey’s case, he reasoned that if the misaligned bone with the tender lump brought on the deafness, then perhaps reversing the bump could help with the problem.

He asked “Harvey, will you let me try to help you?” Mr. Lillard agreed, and together they performed the first chiropractic adjustment in history. Harvey was placed face-down on a bench, and Dr. Palmer placed his hand on the twisted vertebra. He then introduced a light, quick movement. The vertebra shifted its position and almost like magic, Harvey noticed an immediate improvement.

According to Mr. Lillard’ s letter documenting what happened, he received three adjustments during the next couple of weeks from Dr. Palmer, and his hearing was completely restored.
With today’s scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology we can understand how a precise chiropractic adjustment was able to restore normal function to Harvey’s nerve system resulting in such a miraculous outcome. That’s why we say, “Chiropractic, it’s not about your back, it’s not about your pain, it’s about your life.”

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Chiropractic safe for kids?

We received the following question on-line today. “I’d like to bring our twelve-year-old son in for chiropractic care. But I’m worried about if it’s actually safe. Are chiropractic adjustments dangerous for kids his age?” Many people bring their babies and children to us. Yet, others remain confused about the importance of chiropractic for their children. There’s also a lot of misinformation out in the world too, so I’m pleased to have this question come up. First, let’s talk about safety.

One of the world’s most respected medical authorities is the Mayo Clinic. Here’s what Mayo says about the safety of chiropractic care. “Chiropractic adjustment is safe when it’s performed by someone trained and licensed to deliver chiropractic care.”[1] Of course no one would want to fly in an airplane piloted by someone untrained or unlicensed. Nor for that matter, would we want to receive medical care from someone without training. Although chiropractic is not a part of the medical profession, the same concerns hold true. Doctors of chiropractic receive thousands of hours of study in anatomy, physiology, x-ray and the other sciences preparing them for safe and effective practice. Even so, anything that can help, if done in the wrong way, or at the wrong time has the potential to harm. That’s why we seek professional health care providers, who know how to evaluate, know what to do, and when to do it.

Cost of malpractice premiums in dollars

Chiropractic has an enviable record on safety, and amongst health care providers, it’s one of the best. A look at what health care providers pay for malpractice insurance reveals much about the relative safety of their practices.[2] While chiropractors can purchase professional liability insurance for a few hundred dollars a year, medical doctors often pay more for their malpractice insurance than the average person earns in a year!

Medical errors resulting in serious injury and death continue to make headlines.[3] USA Today reports that “The United States has the highest maternal death rate among the world’s developed nations,”[4] and that while most other countries are getting better, ours is getting worse. Last week the New York Times, reported on high death rates in children whose surgeries were considered low-risk at a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital. In response the North Carolina Children’s Hospital announced the suspension of some of those surgeries.[5] The dangers of medical practice are very real. That doesn’t prove that chiropractic is safe, but it does provide a useful contrast. Nor do we want to live in a world without a medical profession.

Like any health care provider, a chiropractor might make a mistake. Thankfully they are rare, and injuries very unlikely. A much greater concern is the damage done to a person not receiving necessary adjustments. Here’s the thing, children do get spinal subluxations, and they don’t necessarily hurt at first. A vertebra out of proper alignment is unable to properly protect the spinal cord and nerves. Those out of position spinal bones can insult the delicate communication network of the body. It causes malfunction whenever that happens, but it may not bring on any symptoms for prolonged periods of time. The real issue then is the danger of neglect. On the one hand we have the certainty of damage when nerve interference goes uncorrected, while on the other hand, the remote possibility of a mistake on the part of the chiropractor. As you can see, choosing your chiropractor, or for that matter, any health care professional is an important decision, to be made with care. For more insight on choosing a chiropractor, please click this link: https://www.youneedchiro.com/blog/how-to-find-a-good-chiropractor/

 

[1] Mayo Clinic, Patient Care and Health Information, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chiropractic-adjustment/about/pac-20393513

[2] https://www.capson.com/medical-malpractice-insurance-by-specialty/

[3] https://www.youneedchiro.com/blog/scientists-find-medical-error-to-be-the-third-leading-cause-of-death-in-the-us/

[4] https://www.usatoday.com/deadly-deliveries/interactive/how-hospitals-are-failing-new-moms-in-graphics/

[5] https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article231538968.html

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Just Add Water?

We’ve been asked whether a person should drink water after receiving an adjustment. It’s important to provide the body with clean, pure water. It is one of the most essential building blocks of a healthy body, yet many, if not most people simply don’t give their body enough water. Keep in mind that some beverages have other ingredients in them that may actually deplete your tissues, cells and organs of water. The bottom line is, we can’t expect an extra latte, or a big glass of ice tea, to give our body the water that it needs. The best healthiest way is to simply drink pure, clear water.

Returning to the original question, Is it important to drink water after a chiropractic adjustment? Yes, it’s important to drink water, but not any more so than at other times. Although we don’t know why the questioner asked about water in particular, there are occasions after which it’s particularly helpful to drink water. Strenuous exercise like running, and many outdoor activities, especially in the sun and warmer temperatures dramatically increase the body’s need for water. There are other times, like after receiving a massage. That’s because the work of a massage therapist releases toxins from tight muscles and water is needed to move those out of the system. However, getting a chiropractic adjustment bears no relationship to that, either in purpose or effect. While massage may be a relaxing, even healthful experience, it has nothing whatever to do with chiropractic.

To clearly see the difference, massage is done to bring relaxation and to feel good. Chiropractic, on the other hand, is done to help a person function properly. A precise chiropractic adjustment corrects a vertebral subluxation. A subluxated vertebra insults the body’s nerve system interfering with the ability of the brain to communicate effectively with the rest of the body. Since the brain is responsible for controlling and coordinating all body functions, the effects of a subluxated vertebra can be far reaching, even devastating. Thus, while an adjustment is essential to a person’s ability to function, and perform at the top of their game, it doesn’t add to or take away from a person’s constant need for pure, fresh water.

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How to find a good chiropractor

Here’s a question we get asked more and more often, and it seems to be getting more difficult to answer. Yesterday the questioner asked how to choose a good chiropractor. Usually it’s for a family member or friend living far from here. When I’m trying to help with a referral, I usually consult directories to check on the credentials of the doctor, then I will generally call their office and find out what methods and procedures are being used before referring someone. In this case, however, the person wanted to know how to find someone on their own. Probably the best way to answer is to go back to the basics.

The chiropractic profession was founded in 1895 after Dr. D.D. Palmer discovered the answer for a man who had been deaf for seventeen years. Many doctors had treated Harvey Lillard’s ears over the years, but nothing they did helped him. It turns out that Mr. Lillard had a neck vertebra out of position insulting his spinal cord.

Dr. D.D. Palmer

When Dr. Palmer identified the problem with Harvey’s vertebra he reasoned that correcting the misaligned vertebra might take the pressure off of his nerve system. They decided to try something to realign the spinal bone, and that effort became the first chiropractic adjustment in history. The man quickly regained his hearing and the chiropractic profession grew rapidly as other people received spinal adjustments improving their lives in many different ways.

The scientific term for when a misaligned vertebra is insulting the nerve system is “vertebral subluxation.” Since that humble experiment chiropractic has grown by correcting vertebral subluxations on millions of people.

The key point is that if you want to find a good chiropractor, you need to find one who is competent to precisely analyze and adjust vertebral subluxations.

If you go to the website of a chiropractic office, look for evidence that the practice is centered on finding and correcting vertebral subluxations.

brain

Upper neck subluxation

Many practices focus on less relevant services like decompression, pain treatment, physical therapy, massage, laser therapy, acupuncture, etc. While those services may or may not provide benefits, they have no relevance to chiropractic. Beyond that, it may indicate that the doctor is not centered on what matters most, finding and correcting vertebral subluxations. A precise spinal analysis requires high levels of training and care, requiring a doctor’s full attention. When looking at websites or speaking with office personnel, try to find out if the practice is centered on vertebral subluxations. If it isn’t, then my advice is to keep looking.

Also, don’t hesitate to contact me, and I’ll be glad to try to help you find a good chiropractor for the person you care about.

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Child with a cold

Here’s a question that recently came up in our practice. After answering it I remembered how people tend to think about what we do as treatments for various conditions, so I thought that I might share this answer with you.

Here was his question: My friend suggested taking my child to a chiropractor for his cold, rather than going to the doctor, because it really helped her son. I’m just a little skeptical about it. How does chiropractic care help a child’s common cold?

This is how we answered it: The larger question is whether or not a child with a simple cold really needs to see a physician. Keep in mind that your child’s body is designed to live in this environment, and the common cold is a normal adaptive experience in which the body adapts to outside stressors.

Photo courtesy of: verywellfamily

Cold symptoms are often a cleansing process that happens in the presence of microorganisms or other outside irritants. Should a child fail to improve in a reasonable amount of time, have a very high fever, or other alarming symptoms, then of course their care should be considered urgent.

In no case should a child see a chiropractor as an alternative to any other necessary care because chiropractic is not an alternative to anything else. However, chiropractic care is essential to a person’s ability to function properly. That’s because a subluxated vertebra insults the body’s nerve system, interfering with a person’s internal communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Since the brain is responsible for controlling and coordinating all body functions, the effects of a subluxated vertebra can be far reaching, even devastating. The good news is that a precise chiropractic adjustment corrects a vertebral subluxation.

The questioner asked how chiropractic care helps a child’s common cold. The answer may seem surprising. A chiropractic adjustment does nothing to treat a cold, but it does a lot to help the child.

Photo courtesy of: Educate midland

Remember, the brain controls and coordinates all functions of the body. That includes all normal physiology as well as the immune system and the healing process. But vertebral subluxation distorts the messages coming from the brain to the body. The question then becomes Does a child function better with a good nerve supply, or a distorted nerve supply? The answer is obvious. A child with a cold needs a good nerve supply, and a child without a cold needs a good nerve supply. A child playing soccer needs a good nerve supply and so does a child studying arithmetic. So the answer is really simple. Healthy or sick, everyone performs better with a good nerve supply than with a distorted nerve supply. Click here for more on better performance.

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Not really joking

How many lawyers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: Six, one to change the bulb and five to write the environmental impact statement.

Let’s not just pick on lawyers. Question: How many computer scientists does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: None, that’s a hardware issue!

Ok, let’s try one more. Question: How many psychotherapists does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.

I’ve heard countless versions of this joke. Sometimes jokes contain only the smallest element of truth, while others hold profound messages. There’s even one for chiropractors. Question: How many chiropractors does it take to screw in a light bulb? Only one, but he or she needs to keep trying, and trying, and trying. Indeed, people who are new to our practice often ask us, How long is it going to take? They’re really trying to ask, When will I feel better? What that question actually reveals is that this individual thinks about caring for their health mainly when they’re in a predicament. Actually, they’re not thinking about their health at all, just how to feel better. It’s understandable since most of us have been trained that way. Let’s remember that true health is much more than just the absence of pain and symptoms. Yet the same person who says, If it ain’t broke don’t fix it diligently gets the oil changed in their car at regular intervals. It’s almost as if they care more about keeping the car running than they do their own body!

So if our health is about more than just temporarily feeling good, we should think about those things that actually help us function better, and improve our overall performance continuously. It’s what leads people into bringing their whole family in for regular chiropractic checkups, from newborn and throughout life.

People often ask us what they can do to hold their adjustments better. That’s an important question that involves many facets of a person’s life. Based on most ordinary health care experiences, they’re expecting a singular answer, to this multi-faceted question. For example, a person in pain is given a pain drug; stretching exercises are recommended for someone who is stiff; and a deep cut gets stitched up. While each of those might be a useful therapy, in actuality, a person’s well-being demands more than that. Relating it to their chiropractic care, for instance, let’s consider a typical question we hear after a practice member receives an upper neck adjustment. They might ask, “What can I do to help this stay adjusted?” It’s the right question to be asking, and the answer involves reconstructing the damage done by long-term subluxation. They’re expecting us to recommend a particular chemical, therapy, nutrient, or exercise, in the hopes that it will change something in their upper neck. But remember, we’re looking at the big picture, not just the short term stuff. Most people come in to us with short term symptoms that have grown out of long term malfunction that they never felt, and didn’t know they had. Subluxations in the spine are like that. They insult the body’s nerve system, creating long term damage. Without a proper nerve supply, essential communications within the body became distorted resulting in malfunction.

 Better than a quick-fix

Unfortunately, our culture has developed a quick-fix mentality, which more often than not, is a part of the problem. So often we find that people seek our care after having carried nerve interference for years before any symptoms show up. Then when symptoms suddenly appear, they look for a remedy to address what was perceived to be a short-term problem.

Now I can just about feel some reader’s frustration, sensing that lasting answers don’t come with a quick-fix. But here’s the thing, few people ever come to us first. Usually they’ve tried a few things on their own first. Then, when the issue doesn’t resolve, they go where they have faith, their family doctor. First their physician gave them medications to see if it would help. When that failed they were given another drug to try. Next they’re sent on a frustrating merry-go-round of referrals for this and that, all to no avail. It’s no wonder that they’re so discouraged. It seems like that’s usually when someone finally says, “You should go to see my chiropractor.”

Since our work is directed at improving function, rather than just changing symptoms, it empowers the body to address many underlying issues that have often been there for years. In the example of the person with a problem in the upper neck, we know that the person’s entire body must be affected by the subluxation insulting the nerve system over a period of years. Of course the most important step is to clear the nerve interference with a precise adjustment. Once the process is started, it takes time for the body to undo years of damage and begin to reconstruct itself.

Doing it right

Thankfully the wisdom within the body is able to do a lot once the interference is out of the way. The first step is to eliminate the interference, and the next step is to keep it clear. That’s why we monitor a person’s spine. Beyond that everything else matters: the food we eat; the nutrition we supplement; how much rest our body gets, and the exercise we give it; our hygiene; pure water and clean air; a positive attitude; reducing stress; giving our body time to heal by diligently keeping our chiropractic appointments; adopting healthy living habits; attention to spiritual matters; less chemical exposure, and so on.

Yes it all matters, so to get optimum results we need to take care of our whole body, not just the ailing part. By committing to improving the whole body, we literally set the stage for problems to heal. (click here for more on how long it takes)

The whole body needs good fuel, the entire body needs exercise, every cell, tissue and organ needs a good nerve supply, not just the places that hurt. One of the most important parts of answering this key question involves a focus on the future. While working to undo the damage of prolonged vertebral subluxations in adults, we shouldn’t overlook the importance of teaching our children to get their spines checked regularly. It gives them a step up on life, better performance in their school work, play and other activities, as well as a lasting legacy of good healthful living to pass on to the next generation.

So it turns out that the best part of answering this question is to bring attention to the benefits of chiropractic care for children. Yes, for adults with long-term subluxations we can expect that a better nerve supply will improve their lives in many ways. We become aware of some of those differences right away by feeling better, and the greater benefits become more apparent over time. But for kids the advantages of improved performance are boundless since it unlocks their potentials.

Remember, family care is very affordable in our practice. Perhaps it’s time to consider giving your chil­dren the opportunity to grow up subluxation-free.

 

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