Archive for January, 2010
"Wellness" Is a Deep Subject
I just read an excellent article that I want to pass along to you:
A life of wellness… or not?
By Gilles Lamarche, DC
The term wellness has been utilized within the chiropractic profession for decades.
Now, when you look around, you will notice it being utilized in so many other industries, as well.
What is the definition of wellness? You hear it in the news, you read it on billboards, you see it on commercial signs, people talk about it in social settings and at work, but interestingly enough, there is no universally accepted definition.
You would think that the definition would certainly relate to health. The definition of health as described by The World Health Organization (WHO) is as follows:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”1 This definition has not been amended since 1948.
If this is the case, then why are we such a sick society? Why have most healthcare practitioners not embraced the definition and what can you as a chiropractor do to help humanity discover improved health and well-being?
The goal is to get you to embrace this concept and serve your patients so they will get the “big idea.”
The WHO definition embraces total health, which can also be referred to as wellness — which in most circles is a tough word to define.
Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University gives this definition: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality-of-life and a sense of well-being.”
This is not much different than the definition written by WHO 60 years ago. Even though the words may be different, the concept is not. Wellness is an ongoing and active process of becoming aware and making consistent wise choices toward a more successful and fulfilling life.
If you break that down it means:
• Process shows that improvement is possible;.
• Awareness means we are seeking information on how to improve;
• Choice refers to having options, and our capacity to select options in our best interest; and
• Success is determined by each person. In the context of health, most would consider success to be related to the capacity of living a fulfilled life based on each individual’s expectations — living a life filled with joy, vitality, energy, and an overall sense of accomplishment.
The most commonly described subdimensions of wellness include: physical, mental, spiritual, social, occupational, financial, emotional, and family well-being.
Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being relate directly to the art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic. Since subluxations can be caused by physical, chemical, or emotional stresses, it makes sense to communicate a clear and consistent message relating to the appropriateness and effectiveness of chiropractic care in order to improve the health of the nation.(Read more at: chiroeco.com)
No Evidence that Chiropractic Causes Stroke According to Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation
Amidst a great deal of emotion and rhetoric coming out of Connecticut this week regarding the stroke issue The Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation has just released a very clear position statement on the issue of chiropractic and strokes. Atlanta, GA, January 07, 2010 –(PR.com)– According to the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation there is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes. “While plaintiff’s attorneys and expert witness make claims and statements contending that such a causative link exists, the fact remains that these are based largely on anecdotes, case reports, and case controlled studies and cannot be used to prove causation” stated Foundation President Christopher Kent DC, JD a chiropractic researcher and attorney. According to researchers and the scientific method itself there are all sorts of biases and distortions that effect conclusions drawn from such studies and other criteria must be used to determine whether such a link exists. “What this boils down to is a simple lack of understanding of biostatistics and epidemiology” stated Foundation Vice President Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, a chiropractic researcher and public health expert. “Words like ‘association’ and ‘causation’ and ‘risk’ have very specific meanings when it comes to their use in epidemiology and it’s clear that laypersons involved in this debate are using these terms inappropriately.” While the experience of a stroke can be devastating and no one would suggest ignoring the concerns of those who have suffered one, the reality is that when it comes to the contention that chiropractic causes strokes – the evidence just isn’t there. And while the strokes these people have experienced are indeed real, McCoy suggests there are often other issues involved and offered an example. “Millions of people visit a dentist every year and a certain number of those same people get into car accidents on their way home. If we were to run the stats on it we might find that there is a statistical association between visiting a dentist and getting into a car accident on the way home. But no one would even consider suggesting that the dentists are causing the car accidents.” Self described chiropractic stroke victims say there is a risk and that people should be advised about it prior to undergoing chiropractic care. The majority of chiropractors would agree that patients should be informed of the risks, benefits and alternatives of any health care intervention, but according to Dr. Kent “Such informed consent must be based on appropriate information and since there is no scientific evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations actually cause strokes, it is inappropriate to require a doctor to suggest that such a risk exists.” Dr. McCoy added another often overlooked issue “Chiropractors utilize a number of techniques to address joint dysfunction and vertebral subluxation and in fact there are over 300 named chiropractic techniques and many do not employ the type of manipulation that has been alleged to be a factor in vertebrobasilar accidents. This adds to the inappropriate nature of such a disclosure.” In the end, chiropractic has an impressive safety record compared to traditional medical care with estimates are that anywhere from 100,000 (Institute of medicine) to 750,000 (Null et al) people die every year from medical care. In comparison, other than some minor soreness following chiropractic treatment, research has shown chiropractic to be very safe
Selling Food to Kids
() Have you watched Saturday morning cartoons with your kids recently? Do you notice how many advertisements are directed towards children? A July 2008 report by the Federal Trade Commission stated that the food industry spent over $1.6 billion dollars on marketing to kids. According to Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics, this number is probably underestimated. Last week the Federal Trade Commission held a public forum on marketing to children. The Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Foods Marketed to Children, brings together the FTC, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Drug Administration. It has has been charged with developing recommended nutritional standards for consumers under the age of 17 by July, 2010. While this may sound like a step in right direction, according to Nestle, these standards are voluntary, and it’s quite unlikely the industry will do what it promises.
Years of the industry’s “self-regulation” has not worked. We have seen an increase in childhood obesity and the rates of diabetes among young people are rising as well. The food industry can use front of package marketing suggesting that foods are a great source of fiber, calcium, folic acid, vitamins and minerals, etc. without mandatory regulation. As long as cartoon characters and prizes are included in the marketing of foods kids will continue to ask parents for them.
What do you think about the governments attempts to regulate the food industry?
For more information visit Marion Nestle’s website about Food Politics.