By Steve Shirley DC.

In 1963 the American Medical Association hired Robert Throckmorton as its general counsel. Throckmorton was the author of a plan by the Iowa Medical Society with the overt goal of destroying the chiropractic profession. The Iowa Plan, as revealed in later court documents, contained a section entitled “What medicine should do about the Chiropractic menace.” In essence, the intent of this secretive plan was to “contain” the Chiropractic profession resulting in the “decline of Chiropractic.”

The AMA adopted the Iowa plan that Throckmorton devised in what was later shown to be a highly organized and systematic campaign to eliminate Chiropractic as a profession.  These policies included action steps to encourage medical doctors to file “ethics complaints against doctors of chiropractic,” to “encourage chiropractic disunity,” to “oppose chiropractic inroads in health insurance” and to “contain chiropractic schools.”

Evidence of this remarkable campaign would never have come to light had it not been for the lawsuit of Wilk vs AMA. In 1976, Chester Wilk and four other chiropractors filed a lawsuit against the American Medical Association under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. After numerous appeals over an 11 year period and many thousands of dollars spent on legal fees, Wilk won his case as it was shown that the AMA engaged in a “lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott” designed to restrict cooperation between MD’s and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic.”

The extent of the damage to the reputation of the chiropractic profession from the AMA’s program can only be appreciated when you recognize the lengths they went to in order to disparage chiropractors. During the Wilk trial it was revealed that the AMA ghostwrote television and movie scripts tarnishing the chiropractic profession. Even though you would assume that inter-professional relations would be in the patient’s best interest, the AMA made it unethical for a medical physician to associate with chiropractors (AMA Principle 3 adopted in 1966). And even more shockingly, this included forbidding medical doctors from ACCEPTING referrals from chiropractors. An example might be a patient with low back and flank pain with nausea and a fever who presents to a chiropractor. After an evaluation by the chiropractor, this patient would be referred to an MD for medical management to rule out a kidney infection. And according to the AMA, the MD should and did refuse to see these patients solely because they were referred by their chiropractors! This ban also extended to not allowing Chiropractors to order imaging (such as CT scans). Numerous other medical facilities also refused to accept referrals for medically necessary laboratory tests. So much for the concerned patient care that the AMA preached to the public.

The AMA policy went so far as to influence Ann Landers’ column and even encouraged the distribution of anti-chiropractic material to high school guidance counselors. Plain and simple, the AMA used its considerable influence to eliminate the chiropractic profession by smearing their reputation and calling them quacks and it was because Chiropractic was a source of competition for patient care.  As they say, it was all about the money and the medical professions’s concern for individual patient’s health was secondary.

One has to wonder how many thousands of patients were scared away from trying chiropractic for their chronic back or neck pain as a result of these programs? And how many of these folks were harmed from the medical treatment they received? When you have one of the most powerful lobbies in the world spending substantial resources to frighten people, the effects of the AMA’s policy were considerable.   Because of the bias against chiropractic, tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of patients were told to avoid seeing chiropractors as they were witch doctors. And these same patients were placed on harmful drugs, or even worse, had potentially unnecessary spine surgery.

The chiropractic model of healthcare is a direct challenge to the pharmacological, drug based model of healthcare. Unfortunately, the side effects from pain medications are rarely emphasized in our drug-based culture. For instance, lets look at Tylenol, so safe that supposedly babies can take it. In 2005, consumers purchased more than 28 billion doses of products containing acetaminophen, the active drug in Tylenol.  And the effects on patients’ health are equally staggering. According to the FDA, there were an estimated 56,000 emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations and 458 deaths related to acetaminophen-associated overdoses per year during the 1990-1998 period. In regards to acetaminophen being prescribed for children’s fevers, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the theory that children are at an increased risk of asthma with its use. According to the New York times, there are over 20 studies supporting this theory. The evidence suggests that even small doses of acetaminophen given to children have caused them to become asthmatic.

The side effects from other various pain killers is also staggering.  There were over 14,800 overdoses from opioid pain relievers alone in 2008.  In the UK, as many as 2500 people a year die from gastric bleeding caused by NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen. Long – term intake of acetaminophen is now the number one cause of liver failure.

Chiropractors routinely help hundreds of thousands of patients get rid of their pain, get back to their normal lifestyle and, most importantly, get off prescription pain medications.  Imagine how many patients would have been referred to Chiropractors had it not been for the decade-long campaign by the AMA to discredit and smear the reputation of the chiropractic profession. Without question, many of the people who had serious side effects from drugs and surgery could have been helped by seeing a Chiropractor.  Fortunately, many progressive physicians now work more closely with Chiropractors.

However, actions such as those committed by the AMA led to several generations of pain patients who rely on drugs to manage their symptoms rather than fixing their underlying problems. Many of these patients have now become chronic pain patients. In addition to being vulnerable to the many side-effects of drugs, they have faced lives of depression, and sadly, sometimes even suicide.

The complications of spine surgery can be even more profound. A recently published story showed that complications following spine surgery “may have a substantial impact on the quality of life of patients.” Complications can include serious infection, neurological damage and even death. No doubt Chiropractic treatment will not keep everyone out of surgery, but how many thousands of patients still get spine surgery prior to a clinical trial of Chiropractic, particularly decompression and traction-type therapies?

The compelling question is this: how many thousands, if not millions, of people could have been helped with their back pain, neck pain or headaches if they had been given the opportunity to see Chiropractors? How may pain patients would still be alive if they hadn’t been persuaded to go down the road of drugs and surgery? How many people did the AMA kill?

Chiropractic Physician

-          increased energy

-          helps prevent post partum depression

-          improves mood

-          promotes weight loss

-          restores muscular strength

-          improves cardiovascular health

-          relieves stress

The BIG question is, “When do I start”?  Depending on your delivery type this answer can vary.  The best way to find out is to talk to your OB doctor about when it is safe for you to start an exercise program.

If you are a nursing mother, it is still ok to exercise.  There are no adverse effects on breast milk and it doesn’t have any negative effect on the nursing baby.  Some research has suggested that high-intensity physical activity can cause lactic acid to accumulate in breast milk and produce a sour taste a baby might not like. If you’re breast-feeding, you can prevent this problem by only doing moderate activity or discarding milk produced in the half-hour following a high-intensity workout.

To stay comfortable while you’re exercising, nurse your baby or express milk before your workout. It also helps to wear a supportive bra. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids during and after your workout.

When you have decided to start exercising, the next step is deciding what to do.  Start simple and work your way into a more intense program.  Start with 15-30 minutes a day of low impact aerobic activity which can include the elliptical, walking, swimming laps, and/or biking on a reclined bike.

In conjunction with cardiovascular activity, it is important to start retraining your core muscles.  You can start with the following exercises:

Kegels – Use this exercise to tone your pelvic floor muscles, which can help control bladder leaks and heal your perineum and tighten your vagina. Contract the muscle you use to stop your urine flow. Hold for up to 10 seconds and release. Repeat 10 times at least three times a day

Bridging -Lie on your back with your knees bent. Tighten your abdominal muscles. Raise your hips off the floor until your hips are aligned with your knees and shoulders. Hold for three deep breaths. Return to the starting position and repeat 5 times.

Leg Slide Exercise – Do leg slides to tone your abdominal and leg muscles. Lie on your back and bend your knees. Inhale and slide one leg to a straight position. Exhale and return to the starting position. Repeat with the other leg.  Repeat 12 times on both sides.  Do 3 sets.

If you have any questions regarding pregnancy and/or post partum exercise routines and getting started, please contact me for more information or to set up a free consult at (509) 922-0303.

To qualify for one of the 18 chiropractic colleges you have to finish at least an AA degree, which is similar to premed studies.  Many people finish some type of bachelors of Science program (Sports Science, Biology or Kinesiology etc.) before starting the DC program.

Chiropractic has many specialties and techniques just like the medical profession e.g. sports medicine, pediatrics, Neurology, radiology etc.  For someone looking to get into the profession, knowing what you want to specialize in (if at all) will help you decide which schools to consider.

Follow the link for more in depth information regarding Chiropractic Education

What is Green-Gene Nutrition?

It is an evidence-based approach to food, nutrition, diet, and eating, based on foods that contain the optimal and natural balance of nutrients that can restore our genes’ youthful responsiveness and flexibility, and in turn, lead to health and healing.
Ten Green-Gene Food Guidelines

1. Eat fresh whole food in its natural state as often as possible.

2. Eat a wide variety of foods.

3. Select organic, grass-fed, free-range, local and sustainable foods whenever possible.

4. Consume quality food with the proportion of protein, carbohydrates, and fats our genes adapted to over the millennia.

5.  Choose only minimally processed oils and fats that have retained their naturally occurring proportion of nutrients.

6. Choose plant and animal foods that have been grown or raised on sustainable and nutrient-rich soil.

7. Choose wild-caught fish from the least-polluted waters.

8. Select, store, and prepare food in ways that preserve its nutrients.

9. Drink clean water.

10. Give regard to every aspect of the meal.

Each time you eat or participate in any food-related activity, remember that all ten guidelines count and that optimal nourishment includes both the familiar nutrients in food, as well as the organic, grass-fed, free-range, and “enlightened eating” nutrients missing from the food charts.  We created the elements of the Green-Gene Guidelines to make it easy for you to practice them daily.

Be patient with yourself:  making such sweeping changes in what you eat is a process.  In other words, changing your relationship to food isn’t likely to happen overnight: success takes ongoing nurturing, care, and regard…for yourself.

This was an excerpt from Biotics Northwest Research, Inc. Newsletter.

Save Money with Chiropractic Care

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) found detectible traces of pesticides in 95% of more than 5ooo Americans tested in a 2009 study.  This was done using blood and urine samples through their national biomonitoring program. But there are things we can do to help ourselves.

You can significantly reduce your exposure by avoiding or buying organic fruits and veggies, especially the following since they are the most exposed:  Apples, Celery, Strawberries, Peaches, Grapes and Bell Peppers.   The least exposed include: Onions, Broccoli, Eggplant, Banana and Cabbage.

This following link highlights what the recent literature is saying about pesticides and their relationship to our health.

Nine Orders Linked to Pesticides

Everyone should read this article to learn why we need cholesterol and the ways our bodies use it; such as producing Vit. D, Vit K and the majority of our androgens (testosterone, estrogen etc.) just to give a few examples.  Click the link below to read about the other benefits of Eggs.

News About Eggs

Vitamin D is one of the most crucial vitamins for our bodies.  It helps to control levels of phosphate and calcium in the body.  If we become deficient in these minerals, the body starts extracting the minerals from the bones, thus leading to softening or weakening of the bones.  At least 1,000 human genes are direct targets of vitamin D.  Depending on which genes are being regulated, it can play a role in prevention of kidney disease, cancer, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and several other diseases.  Vitamin D is also one of the main controllers of the influenza epidemic, it acts as an anti biotic vitamin.

It is easy for our bodies to become deficient in Vitamin D.  Disorders that reduce the digestion of fat and/or milk products make the vitamin less soluble.  Rickets is a metabolic condition caused by Vitamin D deficiency.  Very few Americans have adequate levels of Vitamin D, especially those who live in colder climates.

We can get proper levels of Vitamin D into our systems by exposure to sunlight, diet, and/or supplementation.  This vitamin is produced by our bodies when the skin is exposed to sunlight.  To get the body to produce sufficient levels of Vitamin D, you should get at least 15 minutes of sun exposure at a frequency of 3 times a week.  You can also get this vitamin from certain foods such as mushrooms, cereals, egg yolks, milk, and bread.

Supplementation of Vitamin D is another way to get sufficient levels.  The following are guidelines for supplementation:

• Pregnant = 5, 000 units vitamin D per day
• Vitamin d3 or cholecalciferol
• Adults = 5, 000 units per day unless you will be out in the sun
• Children = 1,000 units per 25 pounds body weight

(i.e.  a 80 pound child would take 3,000 units per day)

Recent research proves the following:

• Vitamin D is critical component of decreasing likelihood of having osteonecrosis or osteoporosis.
• Women with highest levels of Vit D much less likely to get ovarian cancer
• Vitamin D levels were measured in patients who were diagnosed with colon cancer.  Patients who were given Vitamin D at the time of their diagnosis had improved longevity.
• When 1100 units of Vitamin D were given to 10 year old to help prevent the flu, it was found that it reduced risk of influenza compared to placebo

Everyone should be checked for Vitamin D deficiency.  Almost 90% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D!  So, get your Vitamin D checked!  You can go see your MD or order an in-home test that you can send in.  Go to Vitamin D council.org for information on ordering in-home kits.

The doctors at Spinal & Sports Care Clinic have the experience to help you overcome  this injury if you find yourself suffering from any of these symptoms.  Click the link below to learn some simple things you can do to help prevent this injury.

Illiotibial Band Syndrome

One of cornerstones of healthcare in the United States is the use of pharmaceuticals.  In 2009, over 3.6 billion prescription drugs were filled in the United States generating sales topping $300 billion.

In a 2006 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), it is estimated that 1.5 million Americans are either injured or killed from medication errors every year.

What is a prescription drug?  It is a chemical substance that is used to treat the symptoms of our ailments.  For example, when you have pain, the oxycodone or Tylenol takes it away.  The drug does not correct the cause of the pain but merely dulls your ability to feel it.  If you notice, the pain typically returns when the drug wears off.  However, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs usually have side effects.  For example, a 2010 study charted the use of acetaminophen (active ingredient in Tylenol) in 13-14 year olds and found that it raised the risk of asthma 151%, eczema 87%, and allergies 118% if only taken one time per month or more!!!

Hundreds of thousands of people end up in the hospital annually—not because of an illness, but due to the problems created by the drugs that were used to treat the illness!

Obviously some medications are necessary.  Type one diabetics needs insulin to survive.  Antibiotics can do wonders for infection.  But realize that medicines can hurt as well as help you.

Chiropractic treats the cause of many neuromusculoskeletal pains and symptoms.  It works naturally with the body, often without or greatly reducing the need of potentially harmful prescription and OTC drugs.  Chiropractic care is one of the safest forms of healthcare in existence.

If you have symptoms such as headaches, neck/back pain, arm/leg pain or numbness, I invite you to do two things:  first—ask yourself why you have to continually pop those pain pills only to have the symptoms return and second—consider seeing a chiropractor to help you get rid of your aches and pains naturally and safely.