COf all the places one would expect significant chiropractic research to spring from, Africa would not, from my former point of view, be that place. And yet here in Durban, South Africa, Technikon Natal will be submitting 15 studies to the World Chiropractic Congress in Tokyo, Japan, the majority of which are blinded, randomized, controlled studies of chiropractic care, including:
Being subtropical, Durban, South Africa is warm and balmy and, as many people have said, much like Florida. Durban is a port and a vacation/beach resort. My 12-year-old son has taken up surfing, and is down at the beach three to four times a week. My wife and I have become addicted to certain Indian foods, like samoozas and spicy curry dishes. For Americans coming to South Africa, there are a few things to get used to: driving on the left side of the road; no screens in the windows; saying, "I'll see you just now" instead of "I'll see you later"; saying "cheers" or "cheerio" for goodbye; keeping the fork in the left hand; that kids are required to wear uniforms to school; and that tea outranks coffee.
Many South Africans speak about their country as a mix of first and third world countries, but my family here in Durban essentially feels that we are living in a first world modern city. We have all the electronic products, and there's a mall next door that you could hardly differentiate from one in the U.S. Despite this, I feel a desire on the part of South Africans to become a "part of the world." They are very concerned with "coming up" to world wide standards, especially European, American, and Asian. In my opinion, our chiropractic college goes far beyond some of the other world's colleges in the requirement that students study, develop, and conduct research prior to being licensed and allowed to use the term "doctor."
Although I support the training in research methodology and science that some other chiropractic colleges are providing (and which the Technikon provides too), the difference in students actually doing research, as compared to reading about research, is comparable to reading about chiropractic adjustments, versus performing them.
Most students come straight from high school. The programme runs over five years, with an additional year of postqualification clinical experience and community service required by the registering (licencing) statuary council. Our practitioners receive a master's degree in technology, chiropractic or M.Tech.(Chiro), which then allows them legally (like Britain's medical degrees) to assume the title of doctor. I do think there will be some conflict over the years with some of the "philosophical" chiropractors who believe the research here at the "Tech" is "medical," and that we are just a bunch of "medipractors." Well, what's new? But here students are asking questions:
James Brantingham, DC, CCFC
Lecturer, Dept. of Chiropractic
Technikon Natal
Editor's note: DC has presented previous articles on Technikon Natal, including:
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
