These days, we are bombarded with advertisements for prescription drugs. Many of our patients are taking these drugs. According to Fortune magazine, total 2007 revenue for the pharmaceutical industry was more than half a trillion dollars and its profits were more than $79 billion. As chiropractors, we need to be informed about these prescription drugs so we can educate our patients about their effects, side effects and dangers, as well as suggest safer alternatives when appropriate. (Don't count on their medical doctor or pharmacist to fully inform them.)
Ambien and Ambien CR (Zolpidem tartrate) are prescribed for the treatment of insomnia.1 Ambien increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that is believed to decrease electrical activity in the brain. Ambien is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, the number-one pharmaceutical company in Europe and among the top five in the world.2
Ambien's Web site offers a coupon for $20.00 off your next five prescriptions of Ambien and advocates more than just short periods of taking their drug, despite the fact that its use is recommended for a maximum of 10 days.2 CVS Pharmacy in Bozeman, Mont., where I practice, charges $53.59 for a 10 day supply of 10 mg. tablets.
My PDR lists more than 150 potential adverse side effects from Ambien, including arthritis, back pain, sciatica, joint pain, muscle pain, joint degeneration, migraine headaches, muscle spasm, gouty arthritis, thinking abnormalities, unconsciousness, loss of bladder control, kidney failure and heart attack.3 And Sanofi-Aventis' consumer Web site on Ambien warns that while taking the drug, you could get out of bed, drive your car, make and eat food, talk on the phone, sleep walk or have sex without being aware of what you are doing or having any memory of what you did upon awakening the next morning.2 That sounds dangerous to me.
Psychological factors account for 50 percent of sleep problems. It would make sense to deal with those problems by natural means rather than medicating ourselves. Lifestyle changes can be helpful in reducing insomnia, including regular aerobic exercise and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, particularly later in the day. Passion flower, valarian root, skullcap and chamomile are botanicals that are helpful in inducing sleep.4
I have had good success treating my insomnia patients with 5-hydroxy-tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin. Tryptophan is best taken with carbohydrates prior to bedtime. High-protein foods should be avoided with tryptophan, as they compete for absorption.
References
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?
