ChiroACCESS: A Chiropractic Research and News Resource

Welcome to Topics in Integrative Health Care: an International Journal

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is the inaugural issue of Topics in Integrative Health Care (TIHC), a peer-reviewed, open-access quarterly online journal dedicated to advancing the integration of complementary and mainstream approaches to health into diverse settings. We expect our readers to be health care providers who are open to any effective methods to help patients regain and optimize their health, and lead more fulfilling and productive lives. We believe that those methods may be found in all health professions, and in all sorts of settings. TIHC takes an evidence-informed approach, and we intend to stay grounded in its three “legs”: patient values and preferences; clinician experience and expertise; and the best available scientific evidence.

Walking Our Talk: Putting the Integrity into Integration

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

With passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, federal law for the first time mentions “integrative health care,” endorsing it as a key component of America’s future health care system, while also recognizing a new designation of provider, the “integrative health care practitioner.” However, the law defines neither of these terms. Their ultimate definitions, and the extent to which these may foreshadow a revitalized system of health care delivery, remain very much in play. Discussions exploring the nature of integrative health care have matured in recent years. But no matter how brilliantly conceived, integrative delivery systems cannot be sufficiently functional and sustainable unless the people working within them substantially embody the core values and skills of integrative practice. Integrative structures require integrated individuals, and to the extent that these values and skills are absent or deemphasized in health professions training programs and in the personal beliefs and behaviors of practitioners, the broader reform mission is in jeopardy. A sustainable integrative health care system must identify and nurture beliefs and behaviors that model health-affirming ideals, including patient-centeredness, openness, pluralism, holism, preventive self-care, harmony of action and belief, and minimalism.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Counseling a 65-Year Old Woman on Smoking Cessation

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Smoking is a leading cause of premature death worldwide and a common co-morbidity with patients with chronic spine-related complaints. This case report presents a multidisciplinary approach to smoking cessation with a patient suffering from the consequences of tobacco use. Methods for promoting patient behavior change, typical drug therapies, hypnosis and acupuncture are among the approaches discussed. Resources that may assist the clinician in helping move their patients toward successful tobacco cessation are also provided.

CAM services provided at select integrative medicine centers: what do their websites tell us?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Background: The utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services in the United States has been well described. Recently there has been a growth of “integrative medicine” (IM) centers located at or affiliated with academic medical centers. Various structures and facilities exist for the delivery of such services; and within some of these settings, various CAM providers are reported to be providing care. CAM is subject to multiple interpretations and there may be variation among such centers. The inclusion or exclusion of given CAM services in academic medical centers may have policy consequences.
Purpose: To document and describe the CAM services and CAM provider types that are specified on the public websites of a group of IM clinics affiliated with academic medical centers.
Methods: The websites of the IM centers of the 44 member institutions of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM) were searched. Targeted data from the website review were entered in a spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) for analysis. Descriptive statistics are reported.
Results: The public websites of 29 of the 44 CAHCIM member institutions specify any clinical services provided. Data on provider types were scarce. The most common CAM therapies specified were stress reduction, acupuncture, and biologically-based practices, each included in 72% or more of websites.
Conclusion: There is variation in breadth and depth of content provided on public websites of CAHCIM member institutions. These preliminary results can inform further research to understand the variation in services provided, as well as the determinants and consequences of such variation.

Fast Facts

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Readers are welcome to contribute to Fast Facts. Please include the original abstract (with citation) that is the source of your contribution. Contributors’ names will be included along with the item.

Integration of Chiropractic Services into a Multidisciplinary Safety-Net Clinic

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Nearly 46 million Americans are uninsured. Health care safety-net providers are those that have a mission to offer health care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, and typically have a substantial number of patients who are uninsured. This paper describes the establishment of a chiropractic clinic within a free, safety-net health clinic operating in a “medical pluralism” model. In this particular collaborative arrangement, chiropractic was categorized as a specialty service, so patients were referred by the clinic’s primary care physician or nurse practitioner. Ninety one new patients were examined and treated during the first 9 months of integrating chiropractic services into the clinic. Musculoskeletal complaints, particularly low back pain (53%), extremity pain (17%) and neck pain (13%) represented the majority of the type of problems that patients presented for care. Fifty percent of the chiropractic patients were unemployed, and 77% presented with an unhealthy body mass index; 33% were current tobacco users. The first 9 months of integrating chiropractic services was viewed as successful due to consistently full patient appointment times and frequent referrals from other health care providers within the free clinic. Our challenges were almost exclusively logistical in nature. Staffing the chiropractic service was perhaps the primary challenge.

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Conducts Seminar for Part IV Chief Examiners

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Chief Examiners for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ Part IV National Practical Examination met at the National Board in Greeley, Colorado August 20-21, to discuss the upcoming administration of the exam in November.

Logan College of Chiropractic Begins Free Chiropractic Care for First Responders at its St. Louis-Area Health Centers

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

President George A. Goodman, D.C., F.I.C.C. has announced that effective today Logan College of Chiropractic/University Programs is instituting a First Responders Chiropractic Care Program that will provide complimentary chiropractic care to first responders who work in the St. Louis area. First responders are police officers, firefighters, emergency medical ambulance technicians and returning military soldiers (since 9/11). These free chiropractic services will be offered at Logan’s five suburban health centers, located in Chesterfield, south St. Louis County, Webster Groves, St. Charles and St. Peters.

NUHS Prepares Chiropractic Physicians for Limited Prescription Powers In New Mexico

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The United States is experiencing a shortage of primary care family doctors. That’s why over the last 8-10 years, chiropractic associations in states with severe shortages of primary care physicians have sought to expand the scope of practice for chiropractic physicians. They seek new laws and regulations that would allow chiropractic physicians to prescribe a limited range of medications in order to help their patients in a more comprehensive manner. These include medications that are common to conditions frequently seen by chiropractic physicians, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that treat ailments such as osteoporosis and arthritis.

New York Chiropractic College Promotes Senior Administrators

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Acknowledging the many changes that have occurred over the last few years at NYCC including the addition of new academic programs and expansion of several divisions, President Frank J. Nicchi has announced promotions and title changes for members of the College's senior administration team effective September 1st.

High School Athletic Injuries: What the Epidemiology Studies Currently Show

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Over 7 million participate in interscholastic high school sports in the United States in a single year. This number does not include athletic participation in non-scholastic and other competitive sport activities. Participation in formal interscholastic programs has increased over 16% during the last decade and, despite improvement in both equipment and training techniques, sports injuries continue to be a serious issue.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Therapy

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As discussed in the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) prevention and diagnosis monographs, TOS is a very controversial topic in the medical literature. Disagreements over methods to arrive at a diagnosis, whether it is under-diagnosed or over-diagnosed or even exists at all have resulted in a gross lack of evidence related to treatment. A recent Cochrane Review could only locate 1 randomized clinical trial (RCT) on treatment.

When Anomalies Contraindicate Spinal Manipulation

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Osseous manipulation is an extremely safe procedure if administered properly but there are circumstances where potential risks could be involved. A study of 3519 spine films identified numerous congenital anomalies that were worth noting and may represent contraindications to spinal manipulative therapy. In the cervical spine films alone (n=2814) 21.3% had posterior ponticles and a total of 28.5% of the cervical films demonstrated some kind of anomalous bone formation. In keeping with the chiropractic profession’s standards for patient safety, these anomalies should be considered carefully.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: All Clinical Reviews Now Available

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A new clinical review on therapy for thoracic outlet syndrome is now available. This completes the clinical reviews on the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of thoracic outlet syndrome at ChiroACCESS.

Parker College Awards $12,000 in Chiropractic Research Grants

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Parker College of Chiropractic has awarded three chiropractic research grants of $4,000 each. The grant recipients include Cleveland Chiropractic College, University of Kansas Medical Center, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and Osher Clinical Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Diagnostic Imaging Case Report: A 49-year-old male reports with chronic low back and hip pain

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A 49-year-old African American male reports with chronic low back and hip pain. No history of trauma was reported. Physical exam findings were not provided.

Erchonia Medical Makes Donation to Texas Chiropractic College

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, August 12, the president of Erchonia Medical Charlie Shanks joined the faculty, staff, students and administrators of Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) to officially kick off the grand opening of the Erchonia Laser Healthcare Center at TCC’s Moody Health Center (MHC).

Test Site Administrators and Assistant Test Site Administrators Meet in Greeley

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Test site administrators and assistant test site administrators met at the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) headquarters in Greeley on August 5-6, 2010.

Texas Chiropractic College, Lee College Sign Transfer Agreement

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Texas Chiropractic College signed an articulation agreement with Lee College to help their students easily enroll in the Doctor of Chiropractic Program.

NUHS Clinician and Interns Provide Exams for Chicago Blackhawks’ New Recruits

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Interns in the Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine Program at National University of Health Sciences recently performed medical examinations for prospective Blackhawks players at the United Center in Chicago.