Health & Chiro Articles
H1N1 Vaccine Not Being Used As Expected By Drug Companies And Governments
In spite of extensive news coverage and government officials appearing in the media urging the public to get the H1N1 vaccine, the usage has been far below expected levels. Several news stories and articles reported on the fact that people are just not getting the vaccine in the numbers the drug companies had hoped.
Even though the initial news reports were reporting that there was a shortage of H1N1 vaccine, and that the public should rush out to get their shots, the response has been so much less than anticipated that many countries have canceled as much as half or more of the orders of H1N1 they previously requested.
An article in Reuters on January 5, 2010, reported that the French government canceled over half of their H1N1 flu vaccine orders. The article noted that France followed cutbacks by Germany, Spain and Switzerland. In the case of the French government, the article noted that they “aimed to cancel 50 million of the 94 million doses ordered”.
A January 10, 2010 article in PharmaTimes, noted that the United Kingdom also joined other European countries in canceling orders of H1N1 flu vaccines as demand for the vaccine fell. The Reuters article noted that the UK had only received a fraction of the original H1N1 vaccine orders but that, “cases of swine flu in the UK have fallen significantly. Since the first cases were reported in April 2009 there have been 360 deaths and many of those people had underlying health conditions.” Even a news article on January 6, 2010 on the Healthzone.ca website reported that Canada was looking to donate their excess supply.
An article on December 18, 2009 on the website NaturalNews.com by health reporter Mike Adams posted a headline “H1N1 vaccine liquidation sale now on.” His article further reported, “People who got the vaccine are no better off than those who skipped it. In fact, there’s no difference in mortality between those who were vaccinated and those who weren’t, indicating yet again that the swine flu vaccine was a medical hoax to begin with.”
Hiccup Girl Stops, Helped By Chiropractic
Jennifer Mee became famous because of her relentless case of hiccups that lasted 37 days. During that time many health professionals came forward and offered to help. Two publications, the March 2, 2007 St. Petersburg Times and the March 4, 2007 Buffalo News, reported that help also came to Jennifer from chiropractic care. After not being helped by medical care Jennifer and her family reached out to accept offers of assistance from other sources. These included offers from a chiropractor, as well as an acupuncturist and a hypnotist.
The Buffalo News story reported that Jennifer began hiccupping on Jan. 23, 2007. From that point forward she tried numerous remedies, such as standing on her head and swallowing spoons full of sugar. None of these worked and the hiccups continued for 37 days. As the situation continued Jennifer appeared on numerous TV news shows and drew national attention.
Dr. Eric Springer of St. Petersburg, Florida was the chiropractor who offered to help. In a phone interview with the Buffalo publication, Dr. Springer noted, “It was a team effort. There were a lot of things involved in getting her body to correct itself.” He further explained, “The mother of the girl contacted me, and I brought her in as a patient. We did an exam and took X-rays and started treatment, which included some chiropractic adjustments that entailed some gentle force to the neck.” (Image right is from the Buffalo News and is of Jennifer receiving an adjustment from Dr. Springer.)
The story also noted that none of the medical experts could come up with a definitive diagnosis for Jennifer’s problem. Dr. Springer’s examination revealed compression on a nerve in her cervical spine, commonly known as a subluxation. “I had just started treating her last week, and she actually stopped on the day of her last adjustment,” Dr. Springer said. “I was the only chiropractor involved, but I don’t want to take full credit for [Jennifer being cured]. I’m just glad I was able to help her out.”
Chiropractic In The Media
A pair of media stories recently have shown chiropractic in a favorable light. The first story appeared on October 28, 2002 on a California television news show. The station, “Action News 8” is out of Salinas, Monterey and Santa Cruz. The story’s title is “Chiropractors Offer Relief For Moms-To-Be”. This news feature tells the story of a pregnant woman who was experiencing lower back pain. The woman told her story by saying, “Laying down was very difficult, changing positions was extremely, extremely painful. I was at the point where I really wasn’t functioning very well.” According to the news story a chiropractor found that the woman’s pelvis was out of balance. She explains her story by saying, “I was here three days in a row (with) a weekend off and (there was a) drastic difference.” The story goes on to explain that there are additional benefits to chiropractic care for pregnant women. The chiropractor of the woman featured in this news story ended by saying, “The actual time of labor, the length of it, is shortened. The delivery was very easy. The baby just literally, kind of, came out slowly and smoothly. Complications are very rare.”
The second news story appeared in the October 28, 2002 issue of the Buffalo Business First Newspaper. In this story, the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) has established a Department of Chiropractic, a level of service unique to hospitals across the state of New York. ECMC medical director Dr. Roger Kaiser gives the reason for this by explaining, “We recognized sometime ago the importance of offering a broad spectrum of service to our patients,” said Kaiser. “Patients will frequently access chiropractors and we couldn’t ignore that market force. If that’s what the patients want, that’s what we’ll give them. To deny them that access just because of a turf battle didn’t make sense.” Dr. Stephen Zajac newly named head of the ECMC’s Department of Chiropractic, explains the shift in thinking by removal of a professional wall that has existed between Chiropractic and Medicine. “Chiropractic is not included as an alternative (treatment) any more. We can’t deny that the wall existed for a very long time. That wall isn’t that solid here as it is elsewhere in the state and country,” Zajac said.
Prescribed Drugs Top Abuse List
On September 9, 2004, a startling report titled, “2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” was issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. The study was a good-news, bad-news scenario in that it showed that fewer American youths are using marijuana, LSD and Ecstasy, but more are abusing prescription drugs.
The report noted that more people had tried prescription pain relievers who did not need them for medical reasons. The most striking increase was a 15 percent rise in prescription drug abuse by people 18 to 25. In the broader population of 12 and over, the study showed that 5 percent more people took those drugs recreationally. There were 6.3 million people using prescription medications non-medically in 2003, about 2.7 percent of the population ages 12 or older. Of these, an estimated 4.7 million used prescription pain relievers; 1.8 million used tranquilizers; 1.2 million used stimulants, including methamphetamine; and 0.3 million used sedatives.
The study found that young people who were exposed to anti-drug messages outside school took notice — with rates of current pot use 25 percent lower than those who did not get those messages. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson highlighted the good news by saying, “It is encouraging news that more American youths are getting the message that drugs are dangerous, including marijuana.”
The study also noted that fewer youths were using marijuana, but alcohol abuse remains steady with no noticeable increase or decrease.
Chiropractic Helping Kids Fight Ear Infections
A news story on February 13, 2007 appeared on CBS-11 News out of Dallas – Fort Worth as well as on their website, that chronicled chiropractic helping children with ear infections. This story reported on a mother, Susan Lekborg who says her son Cooper had suffered from chronic ear infections for years. During this time medical treatments did little to ease her son’s suffering.
In this report Ms. Lekborg recounted the long, sleepless nights and stated, “We were up all night, he was miserable, cranky. He was on antibiotics all winter and it just wasn’t helping. It would go away and come back, go away and come back.” After feeling frustrated and helpless she reluctantly decided to go to a chiropractor. “I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical, nervous about a chiropractor adjusting my baby.”
The story reports that the chiropractor she took her son Cooper to was Dr. Peter Martone. Dr. Martone explained the rationale for care by saying, “Chiropractic care is simply the art and science of aligning the spine to take pressure off the nerve and ultimately allow the body to heal itself.” He continued, “So what happens with the adjustment, it allows for those ear canals to open up and the ears will drain, preventing any ear infection.”
The news article noted that after only one visit Cooper started feeling better. The news story also interviewed Pediatrician Linda Nelson who said there’s a lot about the body doctors just don’t understand. “I’m very open to anything that’s benign,” she said. “And it’s certainly isn’t going to hurt the child.”
The article concluded with Susan Lekborg stating that it worked for her children. “This will be their third winter, no antibiotics, no Tylenol, no Motrin. They’re clean. I just feel like they’re healthier.”
News Media May Offer Misleading Drug Information
On June 1st 2000 the Associated Press ran a story that strongly suggested that many of the news releases on drugs commonly run on major news organizations may be very misleading. The AP news story was reporting on a study conducted by researchers from Harvard University and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and reported in the June 1st 2000 New England Journal of Medicine. In that study researchers reviewed 207 stories by U.S. news media of the benefits and risks of three medications that are used to prevent major diseases. These medications were pravastatin, a drug reported for the prevention of cardiovascular disease; alendronate, a drug reported for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis; and aspirin, which has been widely reported recently as a preventative for heart problems.
The researchers noted inaccuracies in reporting the results but noted severe problems with researchers who had a financial interest in the drug they were reporting on. The article said, “Of the 170 stories citing an expert or a scientific study, 85 (50 percent) cited at least one expert or study with a financial tie to a manufacturer of the drug that had been disclosed in the scientific literature. These ties were disclosed in only 33 (39 percent) of the 85 stories.” In their conclusion the researchers wrote, “News-media stories about medications may include inadequate or incomplete information about the benefits, risks, and costs of the drugs as well as the financial ties between study groups or experts and pharmaceutical manufacturers.”
Chiropractic Care For Children Receives More Press
Two recent news articles feature chiropractic care for general wellness and for children. One article from the August 28, 2003 Press & Sun Bulletin from Binghamton NY, starts off by featuring 5-year-old Michael Smolinsky as he receives his chiropractic adjustment. Michael’s mother Joanne, noted that her son started seeing Dr. McAulliffe three years ago because, after nine months of chronic ear infections, she didn’t know where to turn. All of the pediatricians and ear, nose and throat doctors she took her son to couldn’t figure out what was wrong and just kept prescribing medication that didn’t seem to help.
“It concerned me,” Joanne Smolinsky said. “How much medicine can you put into a 2-year-old child?” She then recalled that doctors suggested putting tubes in Michael’s ears to drain excess fluids. The idea of putting her son under anesthesia scared her, and after talking to her chiropractor she decided to give chiropractic a shot. Her medical doctors didn’t support the idea, so she couldn’t get a referral for insurance purposes. After receiving chiropractic every six weeks for three years, Michael has had only one ear infection in that time. He also experienced the same good results with dizzy spells that he had been previously having.
Another article featured in the August 18, 2003 Star Online News of North Carolina, starts off by saying, “In recent years, chiropractors nationwide have been increasingly successful in beating the “back-pain only” rap with statistics and growing testimonials about chiropractic care’s benefits, for everything from stress and fatigue to sinus trouble and asthma. And whether young or old, folks in Southeastern North Carolina, too, are making use of what’s renewing itself as one of the hottest trends in healthcare.”
This story highlighted 3-year-old Christian Kent of Leland. When Christian was a mere 6 months old, he developed recurring ear infections. These ear infections would clear up with medicine, but they would always return. After a year and numerous trips to an ear, nose and throat specialist, it was determined that at a year and a half old, he needed tubes in his ears. Cindy Kent, Christian’s mother remembers her initial reaction, “I thought, ‘Oh no’.” she then continued. “Instead, we brought him to the chiropractor and after six adjustments, the ear infection was gone.”
“People should be focused on correcting the root of the problem,” said Dr. Reese, a chiropractor interviewed for the article. “This is not an alternative, but its own distinct form of health care. People should have a chiropractor, just like they should have a doctor, a dentist or a mechanic.”
Jack LaLanne, Chiropractor, Nutrition And Fitness Legend, Dies At Age 96
On January 23, 2011, Jack LaLanne, an American fitness icon, died at the age of 96. Best known for his role of leading a revolution toward fitness and proper nutrition in the United States, many do not know that LaLane was also a chiropractor.
On January 26, 2001, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress issued a press release honoring the man who devoted his life toward improving the lives of others. The Foundation noted, “While most remember the late great American exercise, fitness and nutritional expert Jack LaLanne as the innovative father of the U.S. wellness movement, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress also recognizes LaLanne for his selfless contributions to the advancement of the chiropractic profession. LaLanne, an Oakland Chiropractic College graduate, developed a passion for the chiropractic profession, with his love for fitness and nutrition running parallel to the principles of chiropractic care.”
“LaLanne always believed that exercise and eating right could yield youthfulness and optimized strength – leading to longer and healthier lives,” says Gerard Clum, DC, spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. “Doctors of chiropractic hold these concepts as the basis of patient health education.”
In a July 2000 interview with Larry King on CNN, LaLanne spoke about going to chiropractic school, his business in fitness, and his gym taking off. When King asked LaLanne if he still believed in chiropractic, Jack’s response was a resounding, “One hundred percent, absolutely.”
Later in the same interview, a caller asked LaLanne why he didn’t pursue his career in chiropractic. His answer was a sobering reminder of the prejudice that existed back in those days, and how far acceptance of chiropractic has come. Jack responded, “Because I was having — so much of my business was coming from the medical doctors. And in those days, the medical doctors and chiropractors were like cats and dogs. But if they knew I was a chiropractor they wouldn’t send me any business.” LaLanne continued by saying, “But today, thank God, there is changing people, everybody is getting together. Alternative medicine is a big thing now, and that is a big, big wonderful plus for America that everybody is getting together.”
In his closing remarks, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress spokesperson Dr. Clum commented, “As a national organization dedicated to educating the public about the health benefits of chiropractic care, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress will be forever grateful for the influence and positive impact Jack LaLanne had on America and the entire chiropractic profession. He will be missed and remembered with great reverence.”
Chiropractic Care Of A Pediatric Patient With Asthma, Allergies, Chronic Colds
A case study involving a 7-year-old boy suffering chronic colds, allergies, and asthma since the age of 5 months, who was subsequently helped with chiropractic, was documented in the August 17, 2009 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health.
In this study the young boy’s parents explained that their son had been suffering from his problems since age 5, and was now taking the medications Alavert daily for allergies and Albuterol for asthma as needed. The child also required nebulizer treatments for his asthmatic episodes. Additionally steroid injections were also used “regularly”. Because of his illnesses he missed 1-2 days of school per month. He also had monthly visits to the medical doctor for all his health issues.
Finally his parents brought him to a chiropractor to see if he could be helped. The chiropractic examination revealed multiple postural abnormalities and changes in the boy’s ranges of spinal movement. Additionally areas of the spine felt abnormal to the doctor’s touch. These findings are all indicative of spinal subluxations. Subluxations are when bones of the spine are positioned incorrectly and create pressure or irritation on nerves. This causes changes in the function of the nervous system and can result in a variety of health issues depending on the severity of the nerve system interference and the areas of the nervous system involved.
Specific chiropractic care was initiated on the boy at the initial frequency of 3 visits per week for the first month of care. Within two weeks of the child’s first chiropractic adjustment, the patient’s mother indicated that her son no longer was dependent on his prescription medication for allergies, so they decided to discontinue them on their own. His parents also reported that his frequency and severity of the asthma attacks had greatly improved, and he no longer required his nebulizer treatments since beginning chiropractic care.
According to the study records within 3 months of the initiation of chiropractic care, the boy’s mother reported that all the young boy’s initial complaints were addressed successfully. The child continued chiropractic wellness care, and after a 16 month follow up, it was noted that the boy experienced only 1-2 minor colds or sinus infections and required the use of his nebulizer on only two occasions. Neither the patient nor his mother reported any adverse reactions to the chiropractic care.
Fibromyalgia And Chiropractic
An article released on August 6, 2009 appearing on EarthTimes.org by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress discussed chiropractic as a means of helping for those suffering with fibromyalgia. According to WebMD fibromyalgia is, “Widespread pain in the muscles and soft tissues above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. In this syndrome, the nervous system (nerves, spinal cord, and brain) is not able to control what it feels, so ordinary feelings from your muscles, joints, and soft tissues are experienced as pain.”
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress stated that chiropractic care has been shown to reduce the agonizing pain, debilitating fatigue, and joint stiffness associated with fibromyalgia. The Foundation noted that there are a variety of medical treatments for fibromyalgia, but that chiropractic care in particular has grown sharply in popularity among the millions of sufferers for dramatically reducing chronic, widespread pain and restoring patients to healthier lives.
Dr. Gerry Clum, a chiropractor and spokesperson for the Foundation and President of Life Chiropractic College West commented, “Fibromyalgia involves turmoil of the central nervous system, yielding a situation known as central sensitization, which causes heightened nervous system responses.” He continued his explanation, and explained how chiropractic fits into the care of fibromyalgia patients by saying, “Overall health and wellness is affected by an individuals nervous system, an area in which chiropractors are proficiently trained to address, making chiropractic care a viable option for fibromyalgia patients.”
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress article noted that chiropractors aim to correct misalignments of the spine and pelvis through hands-on adjustments. As joint motion improves, fibromyalgia patients discover that the excruciating pain can be reduced or, in some cases, eliminated.
As a testimonial, the article reported that Retired Brig. Gen. Becky Halstead, the first woman General in the U.S. Army to command in Iraq, suffered from fibromyalgia during her service. The West Point graduate recalled her story by saying, “The adjustments and nutritional advice I received from my chiropractor helped in treating the fibromyalgia and made me feel better on a day-to-day basis.”