Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted with permission from the World Federation of Chiropractic’s July 2023 Quarterly World Report. It has been edited from the original only to conform with Dynamic Chiropractic’s style and formatting guidelines. To read the entire July issue of the Quarterly World Report, visit www.wfc.org/QWR2023C.
Chiropractors perform an important role as primary-contact health care providers. They have the opportunity to support and promote healthy behaviors for prevention and cessation of tobacco and nicotine product use for their patients, and to advocate for public-health efforts in their communities.
The World Federation of Chiropractic has supported the World Health Organization’s efforts against the deadly and harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine for over two decades. It has recently affirmed a new position statement on tobacco and nicotine use (www.wfc.org/posn_tobacco).
Here are five reasons why chiropractors should care about patients using tobacco:
1. Public-Health Importance: Tobacco is one of the biggest preventable causes of death in the world. It is estimated that 5.4 million people die each year from the effects of tobacco use. Non-users are also exposed through secondhand smoke or tobacco product residue. And harms from vaping and e-cigarettes are resulting in additional warnings and bans.
2. Significance to Chiropractic Patients: People with back pain seek out chiropractors for preventive care, palliative care and advice. In addition to general health issues, there is evidence that there is an association between smoking and back pain, and that smoking has a negative effect on spinal health.
3. Congruency With Chiropractic Principles: Concern with tobacco use fits within the chiropractic principles that include a drug-free approach to life and health promotion. Chiropractors should educate patients who smoke – and those who may be considering smoking, such as children and teens – about the negative influence smoking has on health.
4. Duty as Primary Health Care Practitioners: Our duty as chiropractors includes educating our patients about the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use. We can use the clinical encounter as an opportunity to educate patients about the negative effects of smoking on spinal health and the benefits of quitting.
5. Enhancing the Doctor-Patient Relationship: Chiropractors have a responsibility to educate patients about the dangers of tobacco and smoking, and to connect them with smoking-cessation programs. When patients hear a message from multiple sources, including chiropractors, they are more likely to take positive action, which benefits their health and the health of the public.
The WFC Public Health Committee encourages chiropractors to use WFC resources and share the [WHO] Quitting Toolkit with patients.
Continuing to impress the advertising and marketing world, The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) has again been recognized by industry organizations for its excellence in educating consumers on the benefits of chiropractic, this time through social media, newsletters, and demonstrating thought leadership by promoting holistic well-being.
Dr. Louis Sportelli received the Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award during the annual conference of the Association for the History of Chiropractic (AHC). During his nearly 60-year career, Dr. Sportelli has embodied the spirit of the award, given to “living individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the chiropractic profession.”
Presently there is no consensus on the best treatment for Achilles tendon rupture; and its management is still controversial. The treatment options are conservative treatment and surgical repair. With either treatment, be it conservative or surgical, Achilles tendon tears necessitate prolonged recovery and rehabilitative management.
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