Moving from "Alternative" to "Complementary"
Chiropractic is experiencing a significant amount of focus and exposure in Great Britain. While it has been a slow evolution, the distinguished British Medical Journal (BMJ) is a good example of the transition seen in the British health care community. In 1983, the BMJ featured an article regretting the "amazing growth rate of alternative medicine" (Smith, 1983). Yet only seven years later, the ground breaking Meade et al., study was featured in the BMJ.1
A recent article documents the shift in thinking that has occurred in the British medical community regarding alternative health care, including chiropractic.2 The article queries and explains:
"What brought about this shift in opinion? Two main factors seem to dominate. First, public demand has increased. Nobody quite knows why, but the fact cannot be denied. Second, and perhaps more importantly, even the critics now admit that some scientific evidence is, in fact, slowly emerging."The authors conclude with this observation: "Therefore the term 'alternative' (in the sense of either this or that) is a misconception and 'complementary' is a much better course to pursue the future."
References
While full-spine x-rays have a long history in the chiropractic profession, their use has caused considerable controversy in recent years. A review of the literature (123 references) was conducted by John A. M. Taylor, DC.1
Dr. Taylor concluded:
"Full-spine radiography and spinographic analysis have a rich and interesting history rooted in chiropractic. Although controversy still exists, the role of full-spine radiography is well established. With proper patient selection, careful attention to technical detail and utilization of several technological advancements, full-spine radiography is a diagnostic and analytic procedure with an acceptable risk/benefit ratio. Although the reliability of certain spinographic parameters has been established, many questions remain regarding the validity and clinical relevance of those parameters."
Needless to say, if full-spine x-rays are part of your chiropractic practice, this is a paper you will want to read in its entirety. To obtain a reprint of this important paper, please contact:
JMPT
200 East Roosevelt Road
Lombard, IL 60148-4539
Tele: (708) 268-6524, Fax: (708) 268-6600
Reference
1. Taylor AM. Full-spine radiography: a review. JMPT, September 1993;16(7).
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."
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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?
