Recently the San Diego County Chiropractic Society hosted a one-day seminar featuring world-renowned Drs. Scott Haldeman, D.C., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.(C), Phillip Stavish, D.C., M.D., and Michael Turner, D.C., M.D. Both Drs. Stavish and Turner are board certified -- Dr. Stavish in family practice and Dr. Turner in internal medicine.
Dr. Haldeman discussed at some length the Rand Corporation standards of care study now under way that will, to a large extent, determine how each of us will practice in the not-too-distant future. He predicted varying degrees of "chiropractic culture shock" which will probably be experienced especially by older and very "straight" practitioners when these standards of care are published and adhered to by the legal profession, insurance carriers, etc.
Dr. Haldeman spoke clinically about the importance of the neurologic examination, including pain referral patterns, and the need for chiropractors to gain and maintain an accurate knowledge of neuroanatomy. The need and criteria for further diagnostic testing of patients was also discussed, particularly in the area of which tests are needed and in what sequence. Very basically, if there is sufficient clinical demonstration of need for a test and if that test will change the treatment regimen of that patient, then it is warranted.
Drs. Stavis and Turner went on to elaborate on many of the systemic conditions that chiropractors should be very aware of and for which they should be conservatively treating their patients. These conditions included and stressed the conservative treatment of patients with signs of coronary heart disease and also those patients with cholesterol problems.
The day was extremely enlightening for all those in attendance with ample time for questions and answers from all three speakers.
The San Diego County Chiropractic Society has always attempted to bridge the ever-narrowing gap between the medical and chiropractic professions, and in hosting events like this one with this caliber of multidisciplined speakers, we feel that we continue to dispel many of the misconceptions that still exist between the two professions.
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?
