I have now been in practice for nine years and I still find chiropractic practice interesting as well as challenging. Because each patient is unique with different problems and varying causes, I do not use a cookbook care plan, nor do I perform the same adjustment on every patient. I utilize an individualized program based on the various components of the subluxation complex. One of the things I do to keep practice from becoming monotonous is to continue to learn. It seems the more I learn the more I need to learn. There are a variety of methods that allow the doctor of chiropractic to continue learning. Learning new information allows me to maintain interest in my chosen profession, help more patients, and more effectively educate the public on the far-reaching positive effects of the chiropractic adjustment.
One of the learning opportunities I take advantage of is an informal study group here in the Cincinnati area. We get together approximately every six weeks. At each new meeting we have a chance to share any new information that we have recently acquired at seminars, from texts, or from journal articles. The doctors have the opportunity to instruct in their areas of expertise or to expound on recently acquired information. The meetings last several hours and center around learning, lighthearted fun, and pizza. There are so many topics that can be covered.
One of the doctors in our group is a chiropractic neurologist who has enhanced our ability to perform a thorough neurological examination. He is also certified in electrodiagnostic procedures, so our group now better understands the "when and why" of utilizing electrodiagnostic testing for our patients. At our most recent meeting he reviewed the seminar material of Dr. David Seaman's class, "Neurological and Clinical Considerations of the Subluxation Complex." We reviewed that material and particularly the effects of the chiropractic adjustment on the dorsal horn and the central integrated state.
Most of the doctors in our group have attended MPI seminars for many years. As MPI material is updated our group continues to expand our knowledge base. We spent several meetings going over the material taught by Dr. Warren Hammer in his soft tissue seminars, especially the shoulder. More recently, Dr. Hammer and Dr. Yanda's work on the subluxation myopathology was our subject. Of course, motion palpation and adjustment of the spine and extremities is a common topic that I review with the group.
The information from Drs. Art Croft and Daniel Murphy regarding the traumatic automobile injuries is interesting and practical. The pros and cons of immunizations can create lively discussion. We exchanged examination forms at a recent meeting so we could update and improve our individual examination forms.
As you can see, there are quite a few topics to go over and we have gone over many others. The material available for chiropractic study is endless. It is fun and exciting to try to be on the cutting edge of chiropractic, both intellectually and in clinical practice. If the everyday routine of running a practice has become monotonous I would recommend the formation of a chiropractic study group. Put politics aside and learn. It will keep you fresh, entertained, and enhance your clinical abilities. It will also allow the solo practitioner an opportunity to receive often much needed chiropractic care.
Oliver Wendall Holmes once said, "The mind once expanded by a new idea will never return to its original dimensions." So keep studying and keep helping patients.
Mark King, DC
Cincinatti, Ohio
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?
