tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 2008-07-10T09:25:32-07:00 Drug-free patient care, techniques and research. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54440 2010-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

Research Abstracts From the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Nov/Dec 2009 Abstracts Volume 32, Issue 9.

Research Abstracts From the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Nov/Dec 2009 Abstracts Volume 32, Issue 9. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54445 2010-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

Letters from our readers to the editor: Don't Let the Insurance Carriers Drive Away From the Pump; Abusing the Concept of "Wellness"; Cost-Effectiveness Driven by Evidence-Based, Patient-Centered Care.

Letters from our readers to the editor: Don't Let the Insurance Carriers Drive Away From the Pump; Abusing the Concept of "Wellness"; Cost-Effectiveness Driven by Evidence-Based, Patient-Centered Care. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54452 2010-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

It is easy to sail a straight course when heading downwind with a steady breeze; doing so hardly tests one's seamanship. The same can be said to be true for life and particularly for the purpose of this discussion, our profession of chiropractic. When everything is going our way, it is easy to follow a moral course of action. When your moral compass is pointing in the same direction as the easy, direct course to your goal, your moral fiber isn't tested at all. Posing hypothetical moral dilemmas to someone who is on a straight and easy course will usually result in answers that appear to show good moral development and strong moral fiber.

By Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS It is easy to sail a straight course when heading downwind with a steady breeze; doing so hardly tests one's seamanship. The same can be said to be true for life and particularly for the purpose of this discussion, our profession of chiropractic. When everything is going our way, it is easy to follow a moral course of action. When your moral compass is pointing in the same direction as the easy, direct course to your goal, your moral fiber isn't tested at all. Posing hypothetical moral dilemmas to someone who is on a straight and easy course will usually result in answers that appear to show good moral development and strong moral fiber. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54425 2010-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

You might be surprised to hear this, but with 2009 now over, I have to say it was a very good year. True, the U.S. economy has not really recovered and the chiropractic niche could still use a bailout, but there are signs of good things to come in 2010 and beyond. This was especially apparent in the increasing involvement of the chiropractic profession in mainstream public health and in the American Public Health Association (APHA).

By Rand Baird, DC, MPH, FICA, FICC You might be surprised to hear this, but with 2009 now over, I have to say it was a very good year. True, the U.S. economy has not really recovered and the chiropractic niche could still use a bailout, but there are signs of good things to come in 2010 and beyond. This was especially apparent in the increasing involvement of the chiropractic profession in mainstream public health and in the American Public Health Association (APHA). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54427 2010-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

"There are people who need health care, and the question is what should health care look like to best serve our populations and so that our members [patients] enjoy what the World Health Organization describes as 'physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease.' There are many determinants of health, so we must look beyond the sole practitioner and the professions and investigate these complex models."

By Editorial Staff "There are people who need health care, and the question is what should health care look like to best serve our populations and so that our members [patients] enjoy what the World Health Organization describes as 'physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease.' There are many determinants of health, so we must look beyond the sole practitioner and the professions and investigate these complex models." tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54392 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Abilify is currently being marketed heavily as a drug to add to antidepressants already being taken. The advertisements claim that antidepressants don't work two-thirds of the time and that adding Abilfy to those medications will help relieve the symptoms of depression. Abilify is manufactured by Bristol-Myers-Squibb, whose 2008 sales of Abilify alone totaled $2.2 billion. In Bozeman, Mont., where I practice, CVS Pharmacy charges a whopping $484.99 for a 30-day supply of 15 mg tablets of Abilify.

By Daniel Hough, DC Abilify is currently being marketed heavily as a drug to add to antidepressants already being taken. The advertisements claim that antidepressants don't work two-thirds of the time and that adding Abilfy to those medications will help relieve the symptoms of depression. Abilify is manufactured by Bristol-Myers-Squibb, whose 2008 sales of Abilify alone totaled $2.2 billion. In Bozeman, Mont., where I practice, CVS Pharmacy charges a whopping $484.99 for a 30-day supply of 15 mg tablets of Abilify. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54397 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Tough economic times and promises of health care reform are major causes of concern for the profession. With reform moving toward a "safety net" package of evidence-based protocols that will keep citizens alive, we cannot expect all aspects of our current practices to be a part of the new system, if at all. If chiropractors are included in such a basic health care plan, it will likely be for manipulative therapies only. With external events outside of our control, now is the time to plan for additional complementary ways of delivering wellness services to our patients.

By Michael Sears, DC, IAYT Tough economic times and promises of health care reform are major causes of concern for the profession. With reform moving toward a "safety net" package of evidence-based protocols that will keep citizens alive, we cannot expect all aspects of our current practices to be a part of the new system, if at all. If chiropractors are included in such a basic health care plan, it will likely be for manipulative therapies only. With external events outside of our control, now is the time to plan for additional complementary ways of delivering wellness services to our patients. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54410 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has reissued its "Transitional Tools for Clinical Studies of CAM Interventions" funding opportunity announcement, "a request for applications that focuses on encouraging the development of improved research methodology (i.e., translational tools) to study safety, efficacy, and clinical effectiveness" of manual therapies, mind-body interventions and/or yoga therapy. The NCCAM will commit up to $6 million per year for eight grants. The application deadline is March 23, with an anticipated start date of December.

By Editorial Staff The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has reissued its "Transitional Tools for Clinical Studies of CAM Interventions" funding opportunity announcement, "a request for applications that focuses on encouraging the development of improved research methodology (i.e., translational tools) to study safety, efficacy, and clinical effectiveness" of manual therapies, mind-body interventions and/or yoga therapy. The NCCAM will commit up to $6 million per year for eight grants. The application deadline is March 23, with an anticipated start date of December. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54360 2009-12-16T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-16T12:00:07-07:00

Editor's note: While we understand that the following is a controversial topic, we have never shied away from providing readers with diverse viewpoints in order to stimulate professional dialogue. If you would like to comment on this article, send a letter to the editor at editorial@mpamedia.com.

By Richard Barwell, DC Editor's note: While we understand that the following is a controversial topic, we have never shied away from providing readers with diverse viewpoints in order to stimulate professional dialogue. If you would like to comment on this article, send a letter to the editor at editorial@mpamedia.com. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54365 2009-12-16T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-16T12:00:07-07:00

As we come to the end of 2009, it seems appropriate to give you a preview of what I expect to see a lot more of in 2010, and unfortunately, it's not a pretty picture. The negative impact the misuse and overuse of drugs is having on our global health can no longer be swept under the proverbial media carpet. The repercussions are very real, most of which are still waiting to be discovered.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher As we come to the end of 2009, it seems appropriate to give you a preview of what I expect to see a lot more of in 2010, and unfortunately, it's not a pretty picture. The negative impact the misuse and overuse of drugs is having on our global health can no longer be swept under the proverbial media carpet. The repercussions are very real, most of which are still waiting to be discovered. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54336 2009-12-02T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-02T12:00:07-07:00

As the health care debate rages, the spotlight is beginning to shine on some of the real culprits behind our soaring health care costs: poor lifestyle habits. An alarmingly large percentage of this country's health care expenditures is directly attributable to the way we Americans live. Our eating habits are largely out of control, tobacco use is actually increasing, and exercise is something too many adults haven't taken seriously since they were in high school. Add in high levels of stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol and drug use, and you have the obscene health care costs we face today.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher As the health care debate rages, the spotlight is beginning to shine on some of the real culprits behind our soaring health care costs: poor lifestyle habits. An alarmingly large percentage of this country's health care expenditures is directly attributable to the way we Americans live. Our eating habits are largely out of control, tobacco use is actually increasing, and exercise is something too many adults haven't taken seriously since they were in high school. Add in high levels of stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol and drug use, and you have the obscene health care costs we face today. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54339 2009-12-02T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-02T12:00:07-07:00

"I assume you are here to discuss chiropractic issues." I replied: "No, I am here to discuss patient issues." I was meeting with the legislative director of my congressman during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. I was there primarily in my role...

By John Stites, DC, DACBR "I assume you are here to discuss chiropractic issues." I replied: "No, I am here to discuss patient issues." I was meeting with the legislative director of my congressman during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. I was there primarily in my role...