I have proposed that my fundamental edict is
"Everyone needs chiropractic care..."
Can I really say that with any validity? Or am I just being a chiropractic evangelist?
To be honest, I guess I am sort of an evangelist but not only to chiropractic but wellbeing in general.
Why live life in a state of suffering? Right?!
As far as chiropractic care goes, there is a lot that people don't know, and really don't care to know because its easier to just keep taking drugs and not do any work.
But I'm here to tell you that there is a better way.
.....
But chiropractic is just for back pain, right?
This may be the best and worst piece of marketing that the profession has done.
On the positive side- Yes, chiropractic is best known for back pain.
The research shows that chiropractic spinal manipulation is better than all others for both acute and chronic low back pain. Period.
But it's not just low back pain. Research shows that spinal manipulation is very effective in alleviating all forms of pain.
Why is this so important?
"Pain is a leading cause of disability, decreases in work productivity, poor quality of life, and rising medical expenses."
Pain is also the primary reason people seek out physical therapies to relieve said pain.
The studies on spinal manipulation show:
spinal manipulation to be an effective method in reducing migraine pain intensity and duration
spinal manipulation to be equal in efficacy as Amytriptyline for tension headaches
spinal manipulation reduces inflammatory markers like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta (key inflammatory markers for pain and immune function)
spinal manipulation is safe and effective for pregnancy and low back pain
spinal manipulation is an effective and safe, non-drug alternative, for primary dysmenorrhea or pain of menses
spinal manipulation is effective for uncomplicated acute low back pain
So, it is pretty well documented that chiropractic spinal manipulation is very effective in the treatment of pain- WITHOUT drugs.
On the other hand- we have become back pain doctors. Along with the added, "back cracking" doctors.
And I personally feel like we are much more than that.
Did you know that chiropractors have some of the highest patient satisfaction and positive experience scores?
.....
96% of all known diseases have an origin associated with stress.
Ok. So chiropractic is good at pain. But does that really mean that everyone needs chiropractic care?
That's a good question!
I still say yes.
Why?
Because we all have stress. We may have stress in physical, chemical and emotional forms...but we all experience it. And stress has been shown to be a component in basically every health condition known to man.
So, if you experience any form of stress- AND WE ALL DO- then chiropractic care is right for you.
Let me explain...
Now, we can track the physiological pathways that lead from stress to a series of changes and adjustments that eventually manifest in various health issues.
So, it stands to reason that if stress leads to most forms of dis-ease and spinal manipulation relieves the effects of stress, then we can deduce that chiropractic care can benefit most all health conditions. Right?!
"Studies indicate the potential for spinal manipulation to improve stress response via the endocrine system (HPA) and parasympathetic nervous system response. "
One study in the Journal of Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy showed that there was "a measurable reduction in salivary cortisol after adjustments to the thoracic spine."
And other research study:
"shows possible changes in heart rate variability, HRV (a key marker in stress) with spinal manipulation."
If A+B=C, where
A is stress
B is the effects of stress
C is dis-ease
Then adding SM= health (SM being chiropractic spinal manipulation) because essentially SM negates B, the effects of stress.
Make sense?
I wish it was really that simple. Humans are a little more complex than just their neurology and physiology but it's definitely a good place to start.
And its also a critical part of any wellbeing program!
.....
"Everyone needs chiropractic care. Not everyone needs YOUR chiropractic care."
So back to the beginning.
Everyone really does need chiropractic care as part of their whole health team.
.....
Making the right choice
...but "Not everyone needs YOUR chiropractic care.
As I have said before, I used to believe that I could be all things to all people. Now, I know that is just not the case...ever.
I have learned that what is important for me is to be true to myself and my philosophy and model of care. It's not for everyone.
I am not right for everyone.
And that's okay.
I have a population I am supposed to serve.
My only "job" is to be the best provider I can be for them and push myself to be the best I can be.
To find the right fit for you, find someone who speaks your language; someone who aligns with your fundamental beliefs about what healthcare looks like for you.
Understand that this person is part of a team, your team.
They don't have to have all the answers.
It's like having a board of healthcare experts that you consult and then make executive decisions based on what you think is best for you.
Make it a priority!
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