John Wiens DC

Biomechanical Lesion: A Better Diagnostic Term for the Profession

By John Wiens DC|September 19, 2012|Philosophy|

By John R. Bomar, DC
Source Dynamic Chiropractic

For those who may not be aware, the World Health Organization’s latest revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) uses a new primary term to describe the major condition treated by chiropractic physicians.

The new term is biomechanical lesion and the code is M99, with decimal designations used for various sections of the body – e.g., M99.01, Biomechanical lesion, cervical region. It is thought that the ICD-10 system will be required sometime in 2014.

More than a few chiropractors, myself included, feel this change in nomenclature is much-needed. The present term, non-allopathic lesion (739 series), completely fails to communicate the nature of the problems we address daily in our offices, and the term non-allopathic implies the concept of “non-medical,” as if what we treat has little to do with a person’s health. Such a maldescriptive phrase does nothing to clear up the confusion and misconceptions associated with our work – misconstructions that only contribute to the apprehension and fear many feel when considering our profession.

Such vague and indistinct terminology also discourages appropriate referral from other health care providers. Important also is the current void in understanding that exists between chiropractic providers and the insurance industry. Complicating all this is the insistence by some in our profession that others conform to our definition of the word subluxation, which is in conflict with the accepted medical definition. The natural reaction in others to such uncertainty, obscurity, confusion and doubt is a hesitancy to involve oneself in such dealings, further isolating our profession and hindering growth. (more…)

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ACA Advocates for N.M. Chiropractic Physicians’ Right to Self-Determination

By John Wiens DC|September 19, 2012|Scope of Practice|

Source The ACA

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today(September 13th, 2012) filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the New Mexico Court of Appeals, supporting the expertise of chiropractic physicians in that state and their right to self-determination.

ACA was compelled to file the brief after the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) joined forces with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy and the New Mexico Medical Board in a December 2011 memorandum to the court, requesting a halt to efforts by the New Mexico Board of Chiropractic Examiners to create an advanced practice training and certification program for chiropractic physicians.

In making its argument in favor of allowing New Mexico chiropractic physicians to chart their own course in this matter, ACA’s brief informs the court about the extensive educational background and training that chiropractic physicians receive today from accredited U.S. chiropractic colleges.

The brief also points out that ACA is the nation’s largest and preeminent chiropractic professional association, and that its long-established policy has been to recognize that local doctors are best equipped to determine matters of scope.

“It is ACA’s opinion that the New Mexico Board of Chiropractic Examiners should be given the same respect as other state boards and allowed to determine what is best for chiropractic physicians and patients in that state. We object in particular to actions by the ICA, as well as the state’s pharmacy and medical boards, to interfere with the will of chiropractic physicians in New Mexico and the needs of their patients,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

It is uncertain at this time when the court will make its final ruling on the issue.

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Chiropractic Neurology: Breakthrough Treatment or Placebo?

By John Wiens DC|August 22, 2012|Neurology|

Further to the discussions of chiropractic specialties, this piece appeared recently on Nightline. You can find a video of this segment on the Nightline Website. A previous chiro org blog entry shows an interview with Dr Carrick regarding his treatment of hockey player Sydney Crosby for concussion.

Source ABC Nightline
August 17, 2012

Will Arlen has a traumatic brain injury and is so sensitive to light that he wears sunglasses all the time.

The 17-year-old describes his migraines as like a knife stabbing his brain. His short term memory is shot. He can barely stand up on his own or move his left arm.

The teenager from Exeter, N.H., said his symptoms developed after an illegal hit during a lacrosse game gave him a concussion so severe that it sent him into an 8-month downward spiral. His father, Larry Arlen, said his son used to be an active, outgoing, straight-A student, but they have had to pull him out of school because of his condition.

Will, however, believes Ted Carrick, a chiropractor who specializes in the brain, holds the key to a miraculous cure for his condition.

Carrick, who has 28 clinics worldwide and sees patients all over the world, practices a therapy he calls chiropractic neurology, a treatment he has been perfecting for 33 years. He rarely grants interviews, but allowed “Nightline” to be the first American television network to watch the treatment unfold at his clinic at Life University in Marietta, Ga.

He said his treatment involves re-activating pathways in the brain, what scientific circles refer to as neuro-plasticity, by simulating other parts of the body. He is considered the main architect of chiropractic neuology because he pioneered several of the methods used, in part by combining treatments that already exist, as well as developing new treatments. (more…)

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Texas: Chiropractic board pulls proposed rule to create specialties in nutrition, neurology

By John Wiens DC|August 21, 2012|Scope of Practice|

From an article in Statesman.com August 19th, 2012

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners has said it will re-examine proposals to allow chiropractors to call themselves specialists in nutrition and neurology after hearing complaints from dietitians and physicians.

At a meeting in Austin on Thursday, the board heard from registered dietitians urging it to withdraw a proposal to create a specialty in chiropractic nutrition. The board also received letters from the Texas Medical Association and physicians strongly objecting to a chiropractic neurology specialty.

The board did not meet beforehand with the affected groups, as it is required to do, representatives of those groups said. Further, they have complained that the specialist training would be too little or vague and would confuse and potentially endanger the public. (more…)

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Chiropractic May Reduce Deaths And Injuries From Falls Among Older People

By John Wiens DC|July 20, 2012|Research|

Chiropractic care for older people may reduce deaths and injuries from falls according to researchers taking part in a study by Auckland University and the Chiropractic Research Centre (CRC) at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic on the neurophysiological effects of chiropractic on the brain.

According to chiropractor, PhD candidate and principal investigator of the study Dr Kelly Holt, falls often occur due to a decline in nervous system function with advancing age. This can lead to a loss of balance, or poor control of the limbs, which dramatically increases the risk of falling.

Dr Holt says: `Already it is estimated that in New Zealand slips, trips and falls cost almost $300 million per year in treatment and rehabilitation costs and as the population ages this will likely get worse.’ He says that ‘falls result in approximately 450 deaths per year in New Zealand and for older adults in particular, a fall can lead to a downward spiral that involves a loss of confidence, a cessation of day to day activities and eventually increased frailty and even death.’

ABSTRACT: The Effects of Manual Therapy on Balance and Falls: A Systematic Review
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics March/April 2012, Holt et al

Objective

The purpose of this study was to review the scientific literature on the effects of manual therapy interventions on falls and balance.

Methods

This systematic review included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of manual therapy interventions on falls or balance. Outcomes of interest were rate of falls, number of fallers reported, and measures of postural stability. Data sources included searches through June 2011 of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Allied and Complimentary Medicine, Current Controlled Trials, Manual Alternative and Natural Therapy Index System, Index to the Chiropractic Literature, National Institutes of Health (USA), and Google Scholar.

Results

Eleven trials were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Most trials had poor to fair methodological quality. All included trials reported outcomes of functional balance tests or tests that used a computerized balance platform. Nine of the 11 trials reported some statistically significant improvements relating to balance after an intervention that included a manual therapy component. The ability to draw conclusions from a number of the studies was limited by poor methodological quality or very low participant numbers. A meta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes. Only 2 small trials included falls as an outcome measure, but as a feasibility study and a pilot study, no meaningful conclusions could be drawn about the effects of the intervention on falls.

Conclusion

A limited amount of research has been published that supports a role for manual therapy in improving postural stability and balance. More well-designed controlled trials with sufficient participant numbers are required to draw meaningful clinical conclusions about the role that manual therapies may play in preventing falls or improving postural stability and balance.

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Dr. Allan Gotlib awarded the Order of Canada

By John Wiens DC|July 3, 2012|News|

Source The Canadian Chiropractic Association Bulletin

Alan Gotlib, C.M. Dr. Allan Gotlib, director of Research Programs and editor of the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association has been awarded the Order of Canada for his work developing the profession’s research capacity.

The Governor General announced this year’s recipients last Friday, June 29th.

Dr. Gotlib has been named a Member of the Order of Canada. The Member designation recognizes achievements in a particular field, in this case health.

The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the last 45 years, more than 5,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

Allan’s work on behalf of the profession for more than two decades has been groundbreaking. He has facilitated the establishment of university-based chiropractic professorships and research chairs across the country, he serves as executive vice-president of the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation, and has been pivotal in creating the profession’s research Consortium.

Dr. Gotlib has held many Committee positions including Executive Committee for the Canadian Cochrane Network and Center, CIHR President’s Voluntary Sector Committee, president of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario, Transitional Council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, Deputy Judges Council in Ontario, and bencher on the Law Society of Upper Canada.

He is a past full professor at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and maintains membership in the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the Canadian Pediatric Society.

In 2006, he received the Chiropractor of the Year award from the Ontario Chiropractic Association, the highest award given by the association in Ontario. In 2007, he received the Canadian Chiropractic Association Medal of Merit, the highest award given by the profession in Canada and, in 2007 he received the Homewood Professorship from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, its highest academic award.

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About John Wiens DC

Biomechanical Lesion: A Better Diagnostic Term for the Profession

ACA Advocates for N.M. Chiropractic Physicians’ Right to Self-Determination

Chiropractic Neurology: Breakthrough Treatment or Placebo?

Texas: Chiropractic board pulls proposed rule to create specialties in nutrition, neurology

Chiropractic May Reduce Deaths And Injuries From Falls Among Older People

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Dr. Allan Gotlib awarded the Order of Canada