Did you know that the US Government has been closely looking at complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? In fact there is an entire department over at the NIH ( national institutes of health) that do nothing but study CAM. The white house has a special commission that has been tasked to Study CAM as well. Chiropractic used to be a part of this conversation, but to my surprise we have been slowly leaving the CAM discussion for the past 7 years. This trend started back in 2001. See below:
Archive
WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION
on
COMPLEMENTARY and ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE POLICY
Meeting Topic I:
CAM: Understanding Coverage and Reimbursement
and
Meeting Topic II:
CAM: Research Challenges
Volume I
Monday, May 14 2001
8:00 a.m.
Excerpt
Dr Alen Korn:" I would like to clarify that the Association does not consider chiropractic services to be complementary or alternative for the purpose of this statement. I believe that chiropractic has become a stakeholder in the politically dominate health system of the United States. The NIH Office of Alternative Medicine defines complementary and alternative medicine as healing resources outside the politically dominant system.”
MR. PIZZORNO**: Dr. Korn, you made a very provocative statement that I would like you to address further. You said you do not consider chiropractic part of CAM anymore, that is part of the dominant health care system at this point. Why do you think that and what was the transition that chiropractic went through?
DR. KORN*: The chiropractors have gone through a very painful transition and one that I would wish none of you would have to do. It is obviously a very complex topic that I will try to summarize at a very, very high level.
What we have observed over the past many years, four or five really, and we have really actually come to understand quite clearly through some direct discussions with the American Chiropractic Association, is the profession has evolved in a way that we find to be quite intriguing.
They have now adopted in large measure a collaborative model of care, in which what the chiropractic community offers is merged with what the allopathic and osteopathic communities offer. And you have a unique opportunity we see here in blending all of the science often rendered by physicians, who sort of stand behind a medical record, it gets between them and the patient, and another body of physicians, and that is how chiropractors are defined in most states, who really are very expert in hands-on care, nutritional counseling, lifestyle things. What we have observed, the data would suggest that with that kind of an approach, patients are far more likely to change their behavior, to not smoke, to lose weight, to exercise, to eat properly than being told to do so by someone sitting on the other side of the desk, writing a progress note in a allopathic office.
So, we could talk a great deal more about it, but we have become impressed with the contribution that that model of care has in the global picture. Again, that is overlaid on a long history and many other things, but that is why, at this point, it probably makes sense to put them outside of the CAM circle.
** Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D., appointed by President Clinton in December 2000 to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and by President Bush¹s administration to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee in November 2002, is one of the world¹s leading authorities on science-based natural medicine.
Allan Korn, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 99 million – nearly one-in-three of all Americans.
So, There you have it according t the chief medical officer of blue cross blue shiel chiropractic is no longer "alternitive" But rather part of the "mainstream."
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
The truth about VAX-D
VAX-D (Vertebral Axial Decompression) is a non-invasive treatment for the management of patients with chronic back pain and leg pain from lumbar disc or facet joint pathology.
There is no universally accepted algorithm for the care of patients suffering from discogenic back pain. Considerable controversy exists with regards to the efficacy and appropriateness of the various available treatment modalities aimed at relieving pain via neural decompression. Many patients are not satisfied with the effectiveness of the treatment choices offered like drugs, manipulation, physical therapy, exercise, epidural injections, acupuncture, IDET, percutaneous/laser/arthroscopic and open discectomy, and spinal fusion.
In the many patients, acute symptoms resolve in one to two months. Those who fail at the primary care level are routinely referred to orthopedists or neurosurgeons, especially if there is an abnormal CT scan or MRI. The majority are not ideal surgical candidates, and a rush to surgery in the poorly selected patient can led to “failed back syndrome”.
The general goal of surgical treatment is to achieve decompression. It is acknowledged that the many forms of traction, gravity inversion, etc., have not demonstrated the ability to lower disc pressure. Clinical study has documented VAX-D’s ability to lower the intradiscal pressure (Ramos G., Martin W.) and decompress the lumbar discs with no surgical intervention, and no disruption of normal biomechanics.
Physicians can now effectively manage acute and chronic low back problems conservatively. Practitioners can readily acquire competence in the VAX-D protocol and establish their practice as the treatment center of choice for the growing number of low back pain patients.
Low back pain has become one of the most significant medical and socioeconomic problems in the world. Despite the overwhelming statistics on the problem, the number of chronic cases continues to grow. Standardizing the evaluation and care of LBP patients is critical. There is a need for early, effective, target therapy for the treatment of disc pathology.
VAX-D therapy addresses the biomechanical aspects of discogenic disease and should be considered for patients with chronic low back pain with or without radiculopathy if their symptoms have not resolved in the first four weeks.
The VAX-D system is being utilized by leading physicians and surgeons in the fields of Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Pain Management and Occupational Medicine and Family Practice. VAX-D is being prescribed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Colombia, Australia, Spain and Italy. In the many back pain centers across the US, VAX-D has been adopted as the primary treatment for the management of chronic disc disease.
VAX-D therapy is a safe, cost effective, non-surgical treatment that offers new hope for the millions of people who suffer from low back pain everyday. VAX-D celebrates a proud history and commitment to the patients for whom we care, and for those whose lives we can have forever changed.
For further information visit: www.drpeterbrockman.com
There is no universally accepted algorithm for the care of patients suffering from discogenic back pain. Considerable controversy exists with regards to the efficacy and appropriateness of the various available treatment modalities aimed at relieving pain via neural decompression. Many patients are not satisfied with the effectiveness of the treatment choices offered like drugs, manipulation, physical therapy, exercise, epidural injections, acupuncture, IDET, percutaneous/laser/arthroscopic and open discectomy, and spinal fusion.
In the many patients, acute symptoms resolve in one to two months. Those who fail at the primary care level are routinely referred to orthopedists or neurosurgeons, especially if there is an abnormal CT scan or MRI. The majority are not ideal surgical candidates, and a rush to surgery in the poorly selected patient can led to “failed back syndrome”.
The general goal of surgical treatment is to achieve decompression. It is acknowledged that the many forms of traction, gravity inversion, etc., have not demonstrated the ability to lower disc pressure. Clinical study has documented VAX-D’s ability to lower the intradiscal pressure (Ramos G., Martin W.) and decompress the lumbar discs with no surgical intervention, and no disruption of normal biomechanics.
Physicians can now effectively manage acute and chronic low back problems conservatively. Practitioners can readily acquire competence in the VAX-D protocol and establish their practice as the treatment center of choice for the growing number of low back pain patients.
Low back pain has become one of the most significant medical and socioeconomic problems in the world. Despite the overwhelming statistics on the problem, the number of chronic cases continues to grow. Standardizing the evaluation and care of LBP patients is critical. There is a need for early, effective, target therapy for the treatment of disc pathology.
VAX-D therapy addresses the biomechanical aspects of discogenic disease and should be considered for patients with chronic low back pain with or without radiculopathy if their symptoms have not resolved in the first four weeks.
The VAX-D system is being utilized by leading physicians and surgeons in the fields of Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Pain Management and Occupational Medicine and Family Practice. VAX-D is being prescribed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Colombia, Australia, Spain and Italy. In the many back pain centers across the US, VAX-D has been adopted as the primary treatment for the management of chronic disc disease.
VAX-D therapy is a safe, cost effective, non-surgical treatment that offers new hope for the millions of people who suffer from low back pain everyday. VAX-D celebrates a proud history and commitment to the patients for whom we care, and for those whose lives we can have forever changed.
For further information visit: www.drpeterbrockman.com
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The truth about car accidents!
It is possible to be injured in a car accident and not even know it. Frequently, I have a new patient with unexplained neck pain. During our consultation, I find out that they were involved in a car accident and never had their spine checked afterwards. Now they are in pain and their injuries will take longer to correct.
Many of us have been tricked into thinking we can not sustain permanent injury from a car accident. Unfortunately, this misconception has led to unnecessary pain and suffering. Several years of science and research has shown us that any car accident has the potential of causing a problem that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Even what may seemingly be a “minor” accident can cause damage. Consider this: If your car is stopped and someone hits you while moving at 5 mph your neck and head are accelerated from zero to 5 mph in a few milliseconds. As a result of this rapid acceleration, the muscles and ligaments in your neck are rapidly stretched way beyond their normal length to the point of biomechanical failure. Picture this: a 20 lb. weight is tied to a piece of string. If the weight is gently lowered, the string can hold it. But, when that weight is dropped the string breaks. In this same way, the supporting fibers of your spine can be damaged. Believe me, this will cause problems.
Here’s the good news. According to The British Journal of Medicine, Chiropractic is the only effective treatment for whiplash (1). Injuries from a car accident are quite simple to detect. After an examination and x-rays, we can determine if you need prompt attention. If you require treatment from another specialist, I can give you a referral. Or, you may be fine and need no care at all. My feeling is it is better to be safe than sorry. So the choice is yours, you can have your spine checked immediately when it is quite easy to correct. Or you can wait for it to become a painful problem.
Dr. Peter Brockman is the clinic director at South Lake Wellness and Injury Center. He is a graduate of West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of South Florida. Dr. Brockman continued his studies at the Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles where he received a Doctorate in Chiropractic. Dr. Brockman is also a graduate of the San Diego Spine Research Institute and is certified in treating whiplash and brain traumatology.
Many of us have been tricked into thinking we can not sustain permanent injury from a car accident. Unfortunately, this misconception has led to unnecessary pain and suffering. Several years of science and research has shown us that any car accident has the potential of causing a problem that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Even what may seemingly be a “minor” accident can cause damage. Consider this: If your car is stopped and someone hits you while moving at 5 mph your neck and head are accelerated from zero to 5 mph in a few milliseconds. As a result of this rapid acceleration, the muscles and ligaments in your neck are rapidly stretched way beyond their normal length to the point of biomechanical failure. Picture this: a 20 lb. weight is tied to a piece of string. If the weight is gently lowered, the string can hold it. But, when that weight is dropped the string breaks. In this same way, the supporting fibers of your spine can be damaged. Believe me, this will cause problems.
Here’s the good news. According to The British Journal of Medicine, Chiropractic is the only effective treatment for whiplash (1). Injuries from a car accident are quite simple to detect. After an examination and x-rays, we can determine if you need prompt attention. If you require treatment from another specialist, I can give you a referral. Or, you may be fine and need no care at all. My feeling is it is better to be safe than sorry. So the choice is yours, you can have your spine checked immediately when it is quite easy to correct. Or you can wait for it to become a painful problem.
Dr. Peter Brockman is the clinic director at South Lake Wellness and Injury Center. He is a graduate of West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of South Florida. Dr. Brockman continued his studies at the Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles where he received a Doctorate in Chiropractic. Dr. Brockman is also a graduate of the San Diego Spine Research Institute and is certified in treating whiplash and brain traumatology.
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