Alternative vs. Preventative Medicine

As a doctor of chiropractic, let me start by saying…“Chiropractic in and of itself is not synonymous with preventative medicine.” Chiropractic is most certainly an alternative to medicine but, by definition, in order to be considered preventative you must actually prevent something. This is common sense right? Well, unfortunately not! Allow me to elaborate.

Chiropractic care, generally speaking, is an alternative to medicine. Whenever you choose chiropractic over pain killers or as a substitute to injections or surgery for any particular condition, you choose an alternative to medicine. Other alternatives to medicine include, but are not limited to: acupuncture, massage, ice, rest, stretching, wait-and-see, hope-and-pray, do nothing…You get the point…I hope! Anything you do that isn’t within the realm of medicine is an alternative to medicine, it’s that simple.

Preventative medicine on the other hand is designed to avoid something. For example, smoking is the leading cause of cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, and pancreas. Therefore, by not smoking you’re making an effort to prevent/avoid cancer. Excessive alcohol is the third leading lifestyle related cause of death in the US; by drinking in moderation you’re making an effort to prevent early death. Researchers have proven that a loss of the normal neck curve results in “demyelination of nerve fibers”. Demyelination causes impairment in sensation, movement, and cognition, depending on which nerves are involved. By restoring the neck curve you’re preventing demyelination.

Here’s the difference. It’s all in the approach. Many chiropractic approaches feel x-rays are unnecessary. Although posture is the window to the spine and you can gleam a lot of information from a posture-check, you still don’t know exactly what the spine looks like under the surface. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to let someone work on my spine, I’d like them to be specific. I don’t know about you, but when I go to the dentist for a tooth pain, I’m not going to let them start extracting a tooth without first taking an x-ray and showing me the problem.

“Changes in posture are of concern because of their association with pain or impaired physical function.” Posture is the window to the spine. “The spine has a normal optimum resting position. This position best resists gravity and allows for optimum joint and nerve function.” Therefore, chiropractic care designed to remodel the spine and correct posture when abnormal changes are recognized is preventative. In turn, chiropractic care that is not designed to remodel the spine is an alternative. I’d much rather receive chiropractic for a chronic pain than suffer the side-effects of long term pain medication – this is the obvious alternative to medicine. On the other hand, I’d much rather prevent demyelination, abnormal joint and nerve function, and help ensure I’ve got the best shot at an active and healthy future.

Another difference – taking an x-ray and displaying bad alignment doesn’t automatically imply the treatment is designed to restore normal alignment. Spine remodeling, treatment designed to restore alignment, involves more than the all-too-familiar chiropractic adjustment. Spine remodeling, in addition to the chiropractic adjustment, includes therapy designed to re-train both the ligaments that hold bones in place and the muscles that dictate how those bones move upon your command. Spine remodeling is therefore preventative. Everything else is an alternative.

Have you considered how you’d like to function as you age? If you’re like most Americans, you believe pain, disability, shrinking and all sorts of horrible and debilitating conditions are inevitable. You’re wrong! Be proactive! Protect your spine, prevent bad health…prevent pain…prevent disability…prevent reliance upon drugs…prevent depression…prevent demyelination…prevent shrinking…prevent a life that fails to be what you desire! Prevention is the key. Spine remodeling is the obvious choice!


Reference:
http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention

Harrison DE, Harrison DD, Troyanovich SJ, Harmon S. Its Time to Accept the Evidence for a Normal Spinal Position. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000; 23: 623-644.

Kentaro S, Masaya N, Yuji N, et al. Spinal kyphosis causes demyelination and neuronal loss in the spinal cord: A new model of kyphotic deformity. Spine. Vol 30 (21), Nov 1, 2005; pp 2388-2392.

Kuo, L. Tully, E. Galea, M. Video Analysis of Sagittal Spinal Posture in Healthy Young and Older Adults. JMPT. Volume 32, Issue 3, Pages 210-215 (March 2009).