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?
The Concussion-Subluxation Complex
In the Aug. 1, 2014 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic, I reviewed some of the literature demonstrating the role of the chiropractic adjustment in post-concussive care.1 A year later, I presented a series of brief cases demonstrating patient improvement in reverse digit span – an outcome measure related to attention span – under chiropractic care.2 This series included patients with and without concussion. In the process of preparing these articles, as well as organizing material for postgraduate courses, I naturally found myself reviewing much of the biomedical and chiropractic clinical literature relevant to concussion and the vertebral subluxation complex (as defined in Redwood, 1997).3 Let's try a few simple thought experiments and then discuss why a new classification term – the concussion-subluxation complex – may be warranted.
Two Thought Experiments
Try these two thought experiments (experiments conducted entirely within the confines of your own mind); I believe the results will speak for themselves.
- Thought Experiment #1: Imagine every possible injury that could cause a concussion. What percentage of these injuries left the vertebral column unharmed and unsubluxated?
- Thought Experiment #2: I invite you to examine the table. The clinical features of concussion are drawn from the Zurich Statement (McCrory, et al., 2012),4 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),5 Eckner, et al. (2011 and 2013),6-7 and Kontos, et al. (2013).8 I have left the column labeled "Vertebral Subluxation Complex" blank. Based on your personal clinical experience, and your understanding of the clinical literature and basic science, please fill in this column. How many times did you write "No"?
References
November 2015
Trending
Your Practice / Business
Jamy Antoine, BS, DC, BCN
Politics / Government / Legislation
Some pundits say that the upcoming presidential and congressional races, and many local races, might be the most consequential in our country’s history. We do not have the choice of sitting on the sidelines and hoping our patients will carry our water. Unlike other medical professions such as physical therapists, podiatrists, nurses, etc., the health care class (AMA) will not protect us. We must be in the game.
Garrett Cuneo, BA
Chronic / Acute Conditions
The most common condition affecting the shoulder is rotator-cuff disease. From acute tears to chronic tendinopathy, it’s common and needs a thorough workup. In fact, even asymptomatic shoulders can have full-thickness rotator-cuff rears in up to 40% of instances. Let’s look at additional conditions that can present to the office with weakness, loss of motion and pain in the shoulder beyond rotator-cuff tears.
Donald DeFabio, DC, DACBSP, DABCO
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