Health Insights Today
January/February 2012, Volume 5, Number 1
EDITOR'S LOG
Using Research to Defend and Promote Chiropractic
If the public is to be better educated about the benefits of chiropractic care, chiropractors must be the ones to do the educating. Research is the strongest tool we have to promote our healing art to those unfamiliar with its value and to defend it from unwarranted attacks. We owe it to our patients, our profession, ourselves and future generations to know the facts so that we can share them far and wide.
This does not mean that every practicing chiropractor needs to become a full-time scholar, familiar with the details and nuances of the approximately 100 randomized clinical trials on spinal manipulation. It does mean that to be effective chiropractic ambassadors, we all need a good grasp of the overall picture, along with working knowledge of a small number of studies, reviews and guidelines that will allow us to most effectively deliver our message. And we need to stay up-to-date as new studies emerge.
Also in this issue:
Chiropractic at the Nation’s Premier Military Hospital
Interview with Sarah Potthoff, DC
Sarah Potthoff, a December 2011 graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College – Kansas City, served as a chiropractic intern at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. In this Health Insights Today interview, she shares her enthusiasm for the remarkable learning opportunities she experienced during this internship.
A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa prior to enrolling at Cleveland, Dr. Pothoff served as Vice President of the World Congress of Chiropractic Students, President of the Cleveland Chiropractic College Student Council, and National Events Coordinator for the Integrative Committee of the Student American Chiropractic Association.
Caring for World-Class Athletes and Everyone Else
Interview with Jeff Spencer, DC
Jeff Spencer was an Olympic cyclist and was named the 2004 "Sports Chiropractor of the Year" by the International Chiropractors Association. Best known as cycling champion Lance Armstrong’s chiropractor, Dr. Spencer has been directly involved in over 40 World, Olympic, National and Tour de France championships and has worked with PGA, WTA and NASCAR champions as well as a World Series MVP. Spencer received his undergraduate degree and master's in physical education from the University of Southern California and his doctor of chiropractic degree summa cum laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College – Los Angeles.
Spencer has taught postgraduate sports rehabilitation courses and lectures internationally on cold laser technology. He is the author of the self-help book, Turn It Up! How to Perform At Your Highest Level For A Lifetime and an audio coaching program, Top 10 Tactics From the Champions Playbook. For further information, www.jeffspencer.com
Soccer Players Need Protection
Ever since 1984, the year soccer passed baseball as the most popular team sport in the United States, participation in this sport has skyrocketed. With increasing numbers of children running and kicking their way down soccer fields across America, doctors of chiropractic are urging parents to learn how to protect their children from the potential injuries this popular sport can cause.
CAM in Review
Studies show yoga practices lower heart disease risk factors; diaphragmatic breathing eases oxidative stress, a diabetes risk factor; researchers review evidence on homeopathy for psychiatric conditions, finding efficacy for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, but not for anxiety or stress.
Mind-Body News
New research indicates Tai Chi decreases blood levels of IL-6, a key marker of inflammation; yoga helps postural control, mobility and gait speed; and qigong helps control diabetes via weight loss.
Nutrition Update
Recent nutrition studies show that high fiber intake is associated with lower breast cancer risk; dairy and calcium are not linked to weight loss; green tea lowers blood cholesterol levels; and eggs are associated with a significant increase in the risk of lethal prostate cancer.
Chiropractic and Manual Therapies Research
A range of benefits from various manual healing methods are reported by researchers: imbalances of leg strength are helped by spinal manipulation; a review finds moderate evidence supporting spinal mobilization and manipulation for cervicogenic dizziness; manipulation reduces gastrointestinal symptoms and length of stay in intensive care in premature infants; and massage therapy reduces depression in breast cancer patients.
Exercise & Fitness Report
New research indicates that exercise remains the primary approach for the most common form of shoulder pain, with neither laser nor ultrasound adding to the benefit; workplace health promotion yields weight loss, decreased blood pressure and enhanced fitness; and an interactive, computerized video doctor improves diet and exercise response in pregnant women.