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Introduction to the Dynamic Chiropractic Paradigm

By Frank M. Painter|June 14, 2011|Diagnosis, Education|

Introduction to the Dynamic Chiropractic Paradigm

We would all like to thank Dr. Richard C. Schafer, DC, PhD, FICC for his lifetime commitment to the profession. In the future we will continue to add materials from RC’s copyrighted books for your use.

The following is Chapter 1 from RC’s best-selling:

“Motion Palpation”

These materials are provided as a service to our profession. There is no charge for individuals to copy and file these materials. However, they cannot be sold or used in any group or commercial venture without written permission from ACAPress.

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE DYNAMIC CHIROPRACTIC PARADIGM

Overview of the Dynamic Chiropractic Approach

This chapter presents an overview of the background and basic concepts of Dynamic Chiropractic. The normal motions of spinal and related articulations, general considerations of spinal fixations, the different types of fixations, the significant physiologic mechanisms associated, a comparison of traditional and modern definitions of the vertebral subluxation complex, and other basic concepts are summarized.

In 1936, a small group of Belgium chiropractors began what was to be a long research project. Its aim was to study what chiropractors refer to as a subluxation, which is traditionally defined as an incomplete dislocation, a displacement in which the articular surfaces have not lost contact, or a partially reduced (spontaneously) dislocation.

Outstanding within the Belgium group were Drs. H. Gillet and M. Liekens. These investigators, who have been involved in this study for more than half a century, soon found that the clinical phenomenon of subluxation was a great deal more complicated than the effects of the oversimplified picture of “a bone out of place” that has been commonly proposed since the turn of the century. Their findings reported in the Belgium Research Notes are a testimony to their skillful observations. Although the theory of “a displaced vertebra” contained enough truth within it to constitute a basic therapeutic approach that could be justified by large numbers of positive benefits witnessed empirically, it was not sufficient to serve as a scientific hypothesis. (more…)

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WARNING: Keep an Eye On Your Adjusting Tables

By Frank M. Painter|June 14, 2011|News, Warning!|

WARNING: Keep an Eye On Your Adjusting Tables

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: The Star Tribune

CHAO XIONG and PAUL WALSH ,

Star Tribune staff writers

We all heard in our adjusting classes that motorized tables involve some level risk when lowering them. Just as we were taught about trains, we need to remember to STOP – LOOK – and LISTEN.

The following is a sad tale about an infant that was crushed while crawling under an unsupervised traction table. In the hopes that this story may prevent this from ever happening in your office, please read the whole story.

SOURCE: The Star Tribune

When they heard a patient’s frantic screams Thursday afternoon, employees at a Shoreview chiropractic clinic rushed into an exam room and encountered a horrifying scene.

An 18-month-old boy lay trapped and crushed beneath a 300-pound chiropractic machine that his mother was strapped into. The toddler had crawled beneath the equipment and inadvertently pressed a button that lowered it onto him as his mother lay immobilized, unable to help.

No clinic staffers were in the room when the accident happened, according to Ramsey County sheriff’s spokesman Randy Gustafson. But there were witnesses — the woman’s two other children, both under the age of 4.

When the boy became stuck, Gustafson said, his mother “screamed to get the attention of the staff there.” (more…)

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Migraines Appear To Be On The Rise

By Frank M. Painter|June 13, 2011|Headache|

Migraines Appear To Be On The Rise

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: NHI OnDemand

Migraine may be classified as migraine without aura, formerly called common migraine, or migraine with aura, formerly known as classic migraine. The differences are based upon the presence or absence of neurologic symptoms prior to the onset of headache. The aura may consist of flashing lights, or zigzag lines, or may manifest as blind spots in the vision.

Some people even experience speech difficulty, tingling in the face or hands, confusion, or weakness of an arm or leg. The majority of people suffering from classic migraine have an aura that develops 10-30 minutes prior to development of the actual headache. According to recent studies, the aura is believed to be the response to a trigger that creates a neuronal depression. This may result in as much as a 25-35 percent reduction in cerebral blood flow, and is certainly enough to cause the symptoms associated with the aura.

A recently published study [1] revealed that the prevalence of migraine headaches has increased over the past ten years among adults. The study took place over an eleven year interval and found that at the start of the study 12.1 percent of the group met the criteria for having migraine headaches. After 11 years, 13.2 percent of the participants met the medical criteria for having migraine headaches. (more…)

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The Dangers of “GroupThink”

By Frank M. Painter|June 11, 2011|Editorial, Philosophy|

The Dangers of “GroupThink”

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: ACA News

By William Morgan, DC

The term “group think” was coined by the psychologist Irving Janis in his 1972 work, Victims of Group think: A Psychological Study of Foreign- Policy Decisions and Fiascoes. Group think describes what happens when individual thought cedes to the will of group consciousness. This may sound like a cross between an Orwellian novel and a bad zombie movie, but its prevalence in the world is common, and the dangers of group think are all too real, especially when it comes to decision-making in health care. Group think suppresses dissenting views and can lead to an over simplified view of problems and solutions.

Symptoms of Groupthink

Dr. Janis presented eight symptoms of group think:

- Group attitude of invulnerability. The group feels that it is “bulletproof,” so it takes unnecessary risks and is overly confident.

- Group rationalism—discrediting evidence that is contrary to the group beliefs.

- Group peer pressure inhibits the will to dissent. Members of the group are browbeaten into conformity of thought.

- Group belief of moral superiority.

- Stereotyping of outsiders in negative terms—such as “Oh, he is just a dumb straight.” Or, “Those medi-practors are so insecure in their ability to adjust.” (more…)

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To Be or Not to Be An Associate Doctor

By Frank M. Painter|June 10, 2011|Practice Management|

To Be or Not to Be An Associate Doctor

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: The American Chiropractor

By Peter G. Fernandez, D.C.

These 8 questions will help you decide if you should become an associate or start your own practice.

1. Are you inexperienced, but don’t want outside help?
2. Is your ego too big to pay for – and listen to expert advice?
3. Can you raise the money?
4. Are you willing to work 70 hours a week?
5. Are you too scared to open a practice?
6. Do you lack self-motivation?
7. Are you a passive person?
8. Is your spouse going to be supportive?

Every DC has a vision of starting their own practice, becoming extremely successful and enjoying the riches of life. Reads like a fairy tale, doesn’t it? Realistically, this scenario is a fantasy to the many DC’s who aren’t destined to start and operate their own practice. How do you know if you have what it takes to start a new practice—or if you’d be happier as an associate? Your personal answers to the following questions will tell you.

1. Are you inexperienced in starting a practice, but don’t want outside help?

Do you know how to find, hire and train the best person for a chiropractic assistant (CA) position? The American Management Association tells us that it costs over $12,000 to hire and train a good CA. Frequently having to replace CA’s can sink a new practice. Unfortunately, the average new DC goes through three CA’s his first year in practice. (more…)

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Senate Bill Introduced to Expand Veterans’ Access to Chiropractic Care

By Frank M. Painter|June 9, 2011|Legislation, News|

Senate Bill Introduced to Expand Veterans’ Access to Chiropractic Care

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: The American Chiropractic Association

The ACA and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) commend Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for introducing legislation in the U.S. Senate designed to fully integrate chiropractic care as a covered service within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

The bill, S.1147, specifically requires the VA to have a doctor of chiropractic on staff at all of its major medical facilities by 2014. The legislation was introduced on June 6, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

ACA believes that integrating the services provided by doctors of chiropractic into the VA health care system would be cost-effective and speed the recovery of many veterans returning from current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A February 2010 report from the Veterans Health Administration indicates that about half of all veterans returning from the Middle East and Southwest Asia who have sought VA health care were treated for symptoms associated with musculoskeletal ailments – the top complaint of those tracked for the report. (more…)

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