Articles
A Definitive Guide To Chiropractic BioPhysics®
Chiropractic BioPhysics® is a more systematic, comprehensive and scientific approach to chiropractic medicine. One of the main goals for overall health is attaining improved postural alignment, and the chiropractic techniques behind CBP® can help to attain that. But what exactly is Chiropractic BioPhysics®?
The name originates from the concept of applying physics to biology in chiropractic medicine. CBP® practitioners still use standard chiropractic joint adjustments, but they also implement specific techniques such as Mirror Image®, meaning opposite position, postural adjustments, spinal exercises and tractions. The promise of CBP® is a chiropractic treatment offering longer-term and more permanent relief for patients. The technique has taken 25 years to develop, and was started in the 1980s by Dr. D. Harrison. Currently, CBP® is the fastest growing chiropractic technique, mostly due to its foundation in scientific research and its highly cited success rate in curing various ailments and illnesses associated with spinal misalignment.
The procedure was developed so that the alignment of the spine and posture can be treated in a non-invasive manner. Using CBP® can help, not only in correcting faulty alignments, but also in reversing previous problems associated with spinal misalignment. The ultimate goal is permanent rehabilitation.
In order to practice as a CBP® chiropractor, the doctors must complete five Chiropractic BioPhysics® seminars and pass both a written and practical examination. Once they have met the above criteria, they become distinguished fellows. This extra training is one of the ways a CBP® chiropractor differs from a normal one. A chiropractor using the CBP® method is able to act both as a regular chiropractor and as a specialist with a broader outlook. Chiropractic BioPhysics® is strongly evidence-based. Treatment outcomes from previous patients are tabulated into guidelines that inform the treatment plans of new patients.
When working with a CBP® chiropractor expect to see lots of rulers, protractor, charts and diagrams. Be accurately depicting the current spinal position and the forces acting on it, the doctor can develop a set of corrective exercise to restore proper alignment. For example, if you carry your head too far forward, the CBP® chiropractor may have you work on strengthening the muscles in the back of the neck so that they can exert a stronger pulling force. If you carry your body weight too far to forward or to one side (not directly over your heels), the CBP® chiropractor will have you do mirror image-style exercises over-exaggerating the position in the opposition direction in hopes of training the body to adopt a neutral, centered position.
Chiropractic BioPhysics® is where physics meets anatomy. It is a new and promising field for systematically correcting posture based on an understanding of the multiple forces acting on your spine.
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References Used:
[1] Introduction to Chiropractic. Accessed October 2011
[2] Chiropractic BioPhysics® – CBP, The Science of Spinal Health. Accessed October 2011
What Training Do Chiropractors Have?
Becoming a chiropractor is no easy feat. The training to become a practicing chiropractor is akin to traditional medical doctors and involves years of academic training and hours of patient contact work. In order to work professionally, a chiropractor must undertake a long period of academic training and a certain number of hours of internship before they are offered a license to practice. In general, chiropractors get a first professional degree, otherwise known as a second entry, in chiropractic treatment. Ordinarily, the general route to become a chiropractor involves a four-year undergraduate degree as a pre-requisite to apply for the degree in chiropractic medicine.
Parker College of Chiropractic Booth (Photo credit: planetc1)
There are three possible ways to become a qualified chiropractor according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. The first path involves one to four years of prior training in basic sciences at university, then followed by a followed by a four-year full-time program in chiropractic medicine. One can also take an academic degree, called the Doctor in Chiropractic (DC) program, a five-year integrated bachelor degree and a first professional degree, if one wants to follow the path of directly becoming a chiropractor early in their academic career. There is also a more conventional route of completing a BSc in Chiropractic medicine and followed then by a two to three year’s masters, or MSc, in Chiropractic studies.
While the academic requirements above are the minimum, in countries where chiropractic practitioners are more established, the standards to practice are quite high. However, no matter what educational route is followed, a prospective chiropractor must meet the requirements of 4200 student and teacher contact hours, during the four years of their education, which includes 1000 hours of supervised clinical training [1].
Some health professionals with advanced clinical degrees, such as medical doctors or those who have studied medicine, wish to transition into chiropractic practice. They are only required to undertake 2200 hours of contact hours to meet both the educational and clinical requirements. Like other professionals in the medical professions, a practicing chiropractor must be licensed in the State they wish to practice in.
While the laws in different countries and various states may differ, in order to obtain a chiropractic license, all candidates must meet the above academic requirements. In addition, they must complete a 12-month clinical internship or a certain number of continuing education credits [2][3]. A license is granted following successful completion of all the State and National Board exams.
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References:
[1] Chiro Guidelines [pdf]. Accessed October 2011
[2] Chiropractors – Licensure Requirements. October 2011
[3] Chiropractic Examining Board Accessed October 2011
Understanding C-Reactive Protein
With frequent news coverage of late, C-Reactive protein is a term that has been bandied about in the media – but what is it exactly? Produced in the liver, C-Reactive protein, or CRP, is a protein that is released into the bloodstream as a response to inflammation in the body. High levels of CRP are a cause for alarm, since its presence can be linked to inflammation possibly arising from infection, lupus, tuberculosis, heart attack risk, burns and even cancer [1].
CRP is believed to play a significant role in the body’s early defense mechanism against infections [2], where its physiological role is to bind with a compound present on the surface of dead and dying cells, and even some bacteria, known as phosphocholine. It then activates the complement system, a part of the immune system called the “innate immune system,” via the C1Q complex [3].
The usefulness of the C-reactive protein is its ability to determine the progress of a disease, and it can also be used to assess whether a treatment for diseases associated with inflammation are working or not. In order to measure the levels of CRP in the blood, first a blood sample from the patient must be collected and analyzed. The levels of CRP in healthy individuals are negligible and will not show up in the test. For sufferers of diseases associated with inflammation, the test will show various levels of CRP in the blood. The measurement of CRP in the bloodstream not only can also help to determine whether someone is at risk of heart disease, but also assesses the severity of the risk [2].
Studies have found that patients who have raised basal levels of C-Reactive proteins are at an increased risk from diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases [4][5]. There is also a strong correlation between the lipid responses to low fat and high-polyunsaturated fat diets and CRP levels [6].
Some organs in the body are at an increased risk from cancer when they become chronically inflamed, and such inflammation may be highlighted by the presence of CRP in the body. In one study [7] samples were collected from sufferers of colon cancer and a control group, the average levels of CRP in those with colon cancer measured 2.69mg/l, whereas those in the control group had a mean value of 1.97mg/l. With significant difference between the two groups, this supports previous studies that connect the intake of anti-inflammatory medication with the lowering of colon cancer risks [8].
While the measurement of CRP cannot pinpoint the exact location of the inflammation in the body, it can be used to monitor and detect the presence of diseases associated with inflammation, and can monitor whether medication is effective on inflammatory diseases being treated.
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References:
[1] Ridker PM, Libby P. Risk Factors for Atherothrombotic Disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 39.
[2] http://www.creactiveprotein.org/ Accessed September 2011
[3] Thompson, D; Pepys, MB; Wood, SP (February 1999). “The physiological structure of human C-reactive protein and its complex with phosphocholine”. Structure 7 (2): 169–77.
[4] Pradhan AD; Manson, JE; Rifai, N; Buring, JE; Ridker, PM (2001). “C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus”. JAMA 286 (3): 327–34.
[5] Dehghan A; Kardys, I; de Maat, MP; Uitterlinden, AG; Sijbrands, EJ; Bootsma, AH; Stijnen, T; Hofman, A et al. (March 2007).
[6] St-Ong
[7] Erlinger TP, Platz EA, Rifai N, Helzlsouer KJ (February 2004). “C-reactive protein and the risk of incident colorectal cancer”. Journal of the American Medical Association 291 (5): 585–90.
[8] Baron JA, et al. (2003). “A randomized trial of aspirin to prevent colorectal adenomas”. N Engl J Med 348 (10): 891–9.e MP, Zhang S, Darnell B, Allison DB (April 2009). “Baseline serum C-reactive protein is associated with lipid responses to low-fat and high-polyunsaturated fat diets”. J. Nutr. 139 (4): 680–3.
Dr. Curtis Martin and Dr. Stephanie Martin combined have over 15+ years of Chiropractic experience. For inquiries call our Concord Chiropractor at (925) 681-0801; Pleasant Hill Chiropractor at (925) 676-8200; and Brentwood Chiropractor at (925) 308-7575.
How To Prevent and Alleviate Heavy Metal Poisoning
The risks of heavy metal poisoning are a frequently discussed health concern. Some definitions cite the atomic weight or a specific gravity greater than 4.0 or 5.0, but generally it refers to a group of metals and semi-metals posing a potential risk to humans and the environment – such as lead, mercury and cadmium. A danger of heavy metal toxicity is that its symptoms are commonly misdiagnosed, often as incurable chronic conditions, but if unrecognized and untreated they can lead to severe health problems and even death.
In our daily lives, it’s hard to avoid heavy metals entirely. Contaminated food, mostly fish, can contain traces of heavy metals, as can working environments, direct and passive smoking, mercury fillings and old homes that have used lead-based paint. Poisoning occurs after an excessive build up of heavy metals in the body. Usually these are flushed out via urine or fecal waste, but some people, such those suffering from chronic conditions, cannot excrete them and this results in an accumulation over time. Toxicity also depends on individual factors such as the dose absorbed, exposure, age and route of exposure. There have also been studies that indicate a possible genetic predisposition to heavy metal toxicity [1].
The usual symptoms associated with heavy metal poisoning can manifest as chronic pain throughout muscles, in the tendons and soft tissues; chronic malaise; ‘brain fog’, meaning when one’s thoughts become clouded; Candida and other chronic infections; gastrointestinal complaints; food allergies; headaches and migraines; dizziness; mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety; and malfunctions in the nervous system, which may result in numbness, tingling, paralysis and/or electric shocks in the body. Recent studies have found that a link may exist between heavy metal poisoning and cardiovascular disease [2].
Conventional treatment for detoxifying the body can take a long time – up to years in some cases – and many have experienced side effects resulting from heavy metals being stirred up in the body before excretion. Chelation therapy is the most common form of treatment, in which agents bind to heavy metals in the body and are expelled via urine or fecal waste. Medicines commonly used for detoxification include DMSA, prescribed to patients suffering from lead poisoning. DMSA binds with the lead in the body before excretion via urine [3]; Calcium EDTA is a chelating agent predominantly used against lead, but it can also treat for mild effects against mercury, arsenic and gold poisoning [4]. Finally, DMPS is a strong chelating agent treating mercury poisoning, with ten times the strength of DMSA.
Maintaining a healthy diet can also help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning. This means eating foods high in anti-oxidants; probiotics; cilantro, as anecdotal studies have shown that they may mobilize mercury and other toxic metals [5], making it easier for chelating agents to expel them from the body. It is also a good idea to avoid consuming deep-sea fish and shellfish, which may be high in mercury. Exercise can help aid in the release of toxins, since sweating is a natural way to detoxify.
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[1] “Mercury on the Mind,” Miller, Donald Jr. Dr.. Accessed September 18, 2011
[2] E.M. Alissa and G.A. Ferns , J Toxicol. 2011;2011:870125. Epub 2011 Sep 8.
[3] “Lead and Your Health”, accessed September 18 2011
[4] “Edetate Calcium Disodium Advanced Consumer Drug Information.” Accessed September 18, 2011
[5] “Cilantro: A Common Spice/Herb That Can Save Your Life.” Accessed September 18 2011
Dr. Curtis Martin and Dr. Stephanie Martin combined have over 15+ years of Chiropractic experience. For inquiries call (925) 681-0801 Concord; (925) 676-8200 Pleasant Hill; and (925) 308-7575 Brentwood.
Ways To Avoid Back Injury During Fall Yard Work
With summer at an end, the leaves are turning brown and falling, cluttering up your yard and garden – so it’s only natural you’ll want to get the rake out. However, as with all physical tasks about the house and garden, it is very important you take the necessary precautions against accident and injury.
Fall yard work, leaf raking and other outdoor maintenance activities carry numerous risks such as: upper and lower back strain, neck strain and shoulder pain. Just like with sports, if your body isn’t prepared for physical activity this can increase your chances of injury. You can avoid straining yourself by taking simple precautions, such as: doing warm ups, stretches and maintaining good posture.
Athletes are able to reduce the risk of strain and injury by doing warm ups. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recommends 10-15 minutes of stretching exercises: from trunk rotations, side-bends and knee-to-chest pulls. When these are also combined with a short walk, which helps to stimulate circulation, and with additional stretches at the end, this prepares the body for manual labor associated with raking and yard work.
While raking your garden or yard, good posture can also prevent back problems – make sure you keep your back straight and your head up. Use common sense while working: lift with your legs and bend with your knees, taking care you don’t strain your back while picking up bundles of leaves and grass. If you’re likely to carry heavy items, hold them close to your body to help prevent back strain. In order to take the pressure off your back, rake using the “scissors” stance: put your right foot forward and the left one back, then reverse after a few minutes. When using a lawn mower, try to use your body weight to move it as opposed to your arms and back.
It is vitally important to take breaks. Pace yourself, and whenever your body feels tired take a respite – this is particularly important if the weather is hot, so drink lots of water and wear sun-protection such as a hat, sun block and protective glasses. Investing in extra protective gear, such as gloves to prevent blisters, a mask if you’re prone to allergies and protective eyewear, can make life easier while taking on outdoor chores. Ergonomic tools with extra padding, larger or curved handles are less strenuous to use over a long-time period. Changing tasks regularly helps to prevent repetitive strain injury of certain muscle groups – change positions, or simply move onto another task for a short period of time before returning to the previous one. Make plans for your gardening tasks; make sure they’re realistic and unlikely to cause strain or exhaust you too much.
If you’re unaccustomed to physical labor, chances are you will feel sore and stiff the next day – in this case, use ice to soothe the discomfort, but if there is no improvement in your aches and pains, then see a chiropractor.
Dr. Curtis Martin and Dr. Stephanie Martin combined have over 15+ years of Chiropractic experience. For inquiries call our Concord Chiropractor at (925) 681-0801; Pleasant Hill Chiropractor at (925) 676-8200; and Brentwood Chiropractor at (925) 308-7575.
