I started to write for DC in 1987. I was very honored to be asked to write a regular column, and I also thought it would be a great opportunity for me to keep in touch with "real" chiropractic. I had been in radiology for several years, conducting research with medical physicians, and felt I needed to keep in touch with my own profession.
I also thought it would be a great way to blend my experience with medical radiology and chiropractic. It forced me to keep up with both professions. Both radiology and chiropractic have changed enormously since I graduated in 1982. Chiropractic has taken its place in the mainstream of health care, at least here in the U.S.; radiology has exploded technologically. As always, technology has made it easier to communicate to anyone. It has been an exciting time!
When I first started to write for DC, I didn't really think many people would read the column. It was like writing to an invisible audience. I didn't know what people were interested in, or how technical or specific I needed to be. I had written lots of scientific articles for medical journals, but nothing much for chiropractic journals, except JMPT, which is not something the general chiropractic practitioner read regularly; at least not in 1987. This is not true now. So, I truly believed I was writing for a few chiropractors who were interested in skeletal radiology, but really didn't have the time or life situation to complete a residence program in radiology. Who knows who was reading. I rarely received any reaction or letters, and no reaction or complaints to speak of - so I just continued. I never imagined that I would be writing this column for so long.
Something wonderful has happened over the past 10 years or so: I have met my audience. This is something I never anticipated. I enjoyed writing mainly because it was a way of keeping informed and stayiing on top of my specialty. I never thought I would enjoy professional, yet friendly relationships with so many people: professionals in all aspects of health care (and many people not in health care) and patients, parents, friends with friends with health care problems. Through the Internet, DC has made this sharing of information possible. In fact, every time I write an article, I learn something new - not just from researching the topic, but also from the audience. These days, however, it is the online audience that is enormous.
Thank you, Dynamic Chiropractic, for your support for all these years - it has made my life so much more interesting!
Deborah Pate, DC, DACBR
San Diego, California
patedacbr@cox.net
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?
