August 2009 Health Newsletter

Although chiropractic care has helped countless millions of patients of all ages, research studies have been primarily focused on those under the age of 55 years of age. In a new study, researchers evaluated the success of chiropractic care versus conservative medical care on 240 adults with an average age of 63 years who were suffering from subacute and chronic low back pain. Results of six weeks of either chiropractic care or minimal conservative medical care were compared via study participant completed disability-related questionnaires (measuring each participants overall function) at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Researchers found those receiving chiropractic care had significant improvements in their functional status as compared with those receiving medical care. Researchers also found that no serious adverse events were associated with chiropractic care. For those elderly adults who were under the impression that safe, natural and effective chiropractic care was only for infants, children and younger adults, we hope this clears up any misconceptions. If you or another maturing individual are suffering from health problems or would like to be professionally evaluated by a doctor of chiropractic, please don’t continue to wait - take that first important step by calling our offices today!

Close to 40,000 costly spinal surgeries referred to as vertebroplasty are performed each year in the United States. However, shocking new research may change that number. Published in the prestigious The New England Journal of Medicine, a new study indicates that vertebroplasty is as effective as performing a fake surgery. Vertebroplasty is a surgical procedure where the surgeon injects a cement-like substance into a fractured vertebrae for the purpose of providing vertebral strength and reducing the associated pain. According to Rachelle Buchbinder of Monash University in Malvern, Australia, whose group found that 36 volunteers who received sham surgery did just as well as 35 who got the real operation, "We had hoped this treatment might get the pain better quicker, but we couldn't demonstrate that… I don't think there's any place for vertebroplasty at the moment." According to Dr. James Weinstein of Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire, "The results may change vertebroplasty from a procedure that is virtually always considered to be successful to one that is considered no better than placebo." While it is not our intent to bash the medical profession, we feel the findings of this study and the comments of the physicians involved with this study are extremely newsworthy and should be made available to anyone considering spinal surgery.

A recent study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine has found the motion between vertebrae of the upper spine area (thoracic spine) in smokers is significantly reduced as compared to that of non-smokers. Smooth full range of motion between the vertebrae that make up the spine is essential not only for optimal trunk movement, but also for providing nourishment to the joints of spine. As the spinal vertebrae lose their natural full range of motion and thus their nutrition, spinal motion decreases and stiffness and spinal degeneration increases. Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen the tissues of the body receive including those tissues of the spine. In effect, those who smoke are at even greater risk for spinal abnormalities, degeneration, stiffness, loss of motion and ultimately pain. If you or someone you know is suffering from back and/or neck (spinal) problems, especially if they smoke, have them call our offices today. Chiropractors are highly trained in conditions of the spine as well as conditions that affect the spine.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a directive that orders the Pentagon to make chiropractic care a standard benefit for all active duty military personnel.  The legislation is contained in HR 2647, a bill authorizing defense programs in fiscal year 2010, and is based in part on recommendations from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC).

The bill - passed by the full House on June 25 - also contains language allowing for chiropractic demonstration projects at overseas military locations and clarifies that chiropractic care at U.S. military facilities is to be performed only by a doctor of chiropractic.

"When signed into law, this legislation will pave the way for expanded access within the military health care system to the critical services offered by doctors of chiropractic—both stateside and overseas," said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. "ACA leaders are dedicated to this effort and will settle for nothing less than full access to chiropractic."

In 2008, the House passed similar language in the form of HR 5658; however, that provision was not included in the Senate version of the bill.

"I would like to thank House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo.; Ranking Member Buck McKeon, R-Calif.; Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii; and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. for their support and for shepherding this language through the legislative process," Manceaux added.

To date, there is a doctor of chiropractic at 49 military bases around the country; however, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, only 54 percent of servicemen and women eligible for chiropractic care can reasonably access the benefit.

This latest development comes on the heels of an announcement by TRICARE that beginning this fall, 11 additional military hospitals and clinics will provide access to chiropractic services for active duty military members, including facilities in Germany and Okinawa, Japan.

The Senate is expected to take up the legislation in the near future.  Watch ACA's Web site and publications for more details as they become available.