Lack of Referral: A Potential Danger

I do not hear this quote too much anymore, but when I do, I feel the need to share my thoughts.  The statement is "Chiropractic can be potentially dangerous by delaying proper treatment."  And guess what?   I agree.  Actually, I contend ANY profession can be potentially dangerous by delaying proper treatment. 

And do you know what?  Medicine can be potentially dangerous by delaying proper Chiropractic care.  Let me give you but one example: 

Compression of certain nerves, like the sciatic nerve, can cause permanent irreversible damage if not treated in time.  Dr. Bourdillon, an internationally prominent British Orthopedic Surgeon, stated that muscle wasting of the wrist or hand will occur if a patient is delayed proper neck and upper back spinal adjustments.  He added that in 15 years in a busy practice, he did not see ANY secondary muscle wasting EXCEPT among the patients medically treated elsewhere, where the syndrome was allowed to develop before the neck was properly treated.  Muscle wasting means the muscle starts withering away due to a lack of proper nerve supply.

Often, I see patients after they have exhausted every other possibe treatment, including surgery for their conditions.  This is a perfect example of why Chiroractic Care should never be a "last resort".  It is not a luxury....it is a necessity.  Rest assured, as your doctor, if your condition is out of my realm and proper treatment would be best administered elsewhere, you will be the first to hear it from me.

Do You Have a Diagnosis That Ends In "-ITIS"?

For most diagnoses all that is needed is an ounce of knowledge, and ounce of intelligence, and a pound of thoroughness -- Arabic proverb.



It is the "thoroughness" factor that is most blatantly absent in today's healthcare. How many of you have been diagnosed with Bursitis, Tendinitis, Plantar Fasciitis or anything else with an "-itis"? Those are what we call Garbage Can Diagnoses....."catch-alls" that really are the result of a structure or posture problem that creates overuse, friction, and abnormal load....hence the "-itis".  These diagnoses only scratch the surface of the real underlying problem(s) that are causing the said Bursitis, Tendinitis or Plantar Fasciitis. Yes, it requires a little more time, expertise, and work to diagnose properly, but when a doctor is alloted 5 minutes for an exam, do you really think he or she will be thorough in REALLY getting to the bottom of your problem? Or will you just end up with a Garbage Can Diagnosis with an "-ITIS" at the end?