CF 061: Faith-based Chiropractic, Ohio Lawmakers, & Chronic Neck Pain

The Chiropractic Forward Podcast: Evidence-based Chiropractic Advocacy

CF 061: Faith-based Chiropractic, Ohio Lawmakers, & Chronic Neck Pain

Today we’re going to talk about another aspect or group that I find particularly troubling in my profession I call faith-based chiropractic, we’ll talk about some lawmakers in Ohio, and then we’ll gloss over a paper on chronic neck pain and balance. Stick around, it might get interesting.

But first, here’s that ‘yummy in your tummy’ bumper music

OK, we are back. Welcome to the podcast today, I’m Dr. Jeff Williams and I’m your host for the Chiropractic Forward podcast.

You have streamed you way into Episode #61

Before I make people mad, let’s talk a bit about the DACO program which is the Diplomate of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists. I’m on it, I’m on it. I’m on it like stink on my teenager’s socks. You know what I’m talking about. I won’t even enter his room. It just has a certain smell that I want no part of.

Continuing on with the eLearning episodes through the CDI group, I recently wrapped up one on Lateral Epicondylalgia just this morning and a few days ago finished up one on Fibromyalgia. Did you know the literature is pointing to those two conditions as being partly due to the central nervous system and what is termed central sensitization?

It’s excellent information. If you want some guidance getting started on it, shoot me an email at [e-mail] No, I don’t get a thing out of helping you or out of talking about it. Nothing at all. It’s just something I’m currently doing so it’s top of mind and I see the incredible value daily and am sharing that information with you. That’s about the total of it.

I want everyone, as soon as you get to a computer, to go to chiropracticforward.com and click on the STORE link. You will find Posters and Brochures. The posters have some of my favorite and often-used sayings from the podcast. The brochures are evidence-based and are something I have been working on for some time now in my spare time. Now, if I can get some pre-orders ready to rock, we’ll get them ordered and sent on their way to you.

I’d love to get your feedback on them at [e-mail]

Introduction

Everyone on the planet knows there are two things you don’t talk about and they are POLITICS and RELIGION.

For me, this here, what we’re about to go into….it has very little to do with the nuts and bolts of religion but more to do with the use of it. I’m going to touch on a very touchy subject and I hope that you won’t do the “poor me, I’m offended by everything on the planet” bit and get mad and leave and never return.

Rather, I hope you’ll hear what I have to say and hear it objectively and then, we either agree or disagree and we move on with our days with a common goal of getting people better. In the end, it’s just one dude’s opinion so let’s not get too worked up, OK?

Faith-based Chiropractic

OK, let’s talk openly and honestly and hope we don’t make everyone mad. Here’s my deal people, I’m a Christian and have been all of my life. In fact, when I was younger as in junior high and high school, typically if the doors were open, I was there. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night. Yep. Southern Baptist even although, now, I’m non-denominational. I found out I’m not as much of a fan of organized religion as I am of religion in general. When it gets too organized, I get less interested if that makes sense.

Anyway, I’m a proud Christian but I’m not a loud or a bully Christian at all. If you come to my office, I’m not sure I have one cross in the whole place. That doesn’t mean I frown on you if you have Christian music playing through the speakers and you have scripture written on the walls. I honestly have no problem with that if it’s there for the right reasons. I don’t believe people are coming to my office for religion so it’s not right for me personally.

I will admit, I’m a sculptor so several of my pieces are here. One of my pieces is called Road To Damascus and is about a story found in the Bible. I’ll post a picture in the show notes at www.chiropracticforward.com and you can just go to episode 61 if you want to check it out and see it.

I feel like, since I AM one, I can talk about other Christians.

Lately, I’m seeing more and more posts and have been hearing more and more about Christian Chiropractors. I think the idea or concept of being a Christian Chiropractor is just fine. Honestly, I do. There are indeed people that would rather go to a like-minded practitioner rather than a Satan-worshipping chiropractor for example. Wouldn’t you agree? ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ is more than just a saying.

Much in the same way that some patients would just as likely AVOID a Christian Chiropractor if they themselves are not Christians. If someone wants to identify themselves as Christian, honestly, I’m cool with that. I don’t but I don’t care if you do. Not at all.

Fair play to ya. That’s why we have different strokes for different folks and I’m so OK either way. There are Christian MDs, Muslim plumbers, Christian brothers car mechanics, Jewish this, and Buddhist that…. Whatever melts your butter and feathers your fancy.

My Issue

My issue today isn’t one of religion vs. non-religion in all honestly. My problem lies in practitioners USING their religion to build their businesses and, in a most undesirable move, using religion to manipulate vulnerable patients for the purpose of padding their wallets.

That’s a next level no-no in my book. Who cares about my book, right? Maybe nobody at all. Maybe around 8,000 people so far though so, it’s possible some actually DO care about my book so let’s keep rolling here.

I want to make a distinction here. a Christian, according to the New Testament is charged with going and preaching the gospel. Save souls. There are some that truly feel that, if they are not doing that, they’re not fulfilling their mission.

OK, fair enough. Who am I to argue that you’re wrong and who the hell am I to judge? If I were to say you’re wrong, I’d be arguing against the Bible and I’m certainly not going to do that. I have faults so I do what I can to stay in the good graces when at all possible.

If it is honest and well-meant and you feel it in your heart to save your patients, rock on brothers and sisters. Amen & Hallelujah.

But, if you mix religion into your business practices and protocols as a way to build your business by manipulating desperate and many times scared patients into seeing you, that’s where our paths go separately.

I cannot reconcile it in my mind how it would ever be right or permissible. I’ve never in my life gone to church to pick up business. I’m not there for that. It would be disingenuous and would defeat the purpose of being in the building in the first place.

In the same way, I don’t use it to build my business in my office. I would not feel honest. I wouldn’t feel genuine. At the end of the day, if I’m anything, I’m those two things. Again, we’re all different but for me personally, it just doesn’t feel right.

Example

Let me give you exhibit #1 for an example so you can see for yourself what I’m talking about. Here is an actual script folk.

“Mary, I’m concerned. I’m really concerned about you. When you don’t continue your plan to remove the subluxations that are interfering with God’s life force allowing it to innately flow from above down through your body in order to heal you, you’re not allowing God to do his part and heal your body. I understand that it’s hard getting here…but I have an opening at 5:30 tonight so we’ll see you then and let’s get you that life-saving adjustment tonight ok?”

That is a script used by a popular company. They tell their members to say stuff like that. I’m not even kidding and, as I said, that’s some next level BS for me personally, in my practice.

As a Christian myself I’m telling you, someone says something like that to me while I’m trying to get my issues resolved, the next thing they’re seeing is my ass as I walk out the door.

First, I’m not there to be preached to. I go to church for that. Second, it’s obvious you’re trying to manipulate me into treatment using my religion and that just straight up pisses me off. Third, if God wants to heal a patient, why on Earth would he need a chiropractor to make that happen?

Honestly. Think about it honestly. God moved heaven and earth. All-knowing. All powerful. But needs a chiropractor to facilitate your improved health? That’s insane in the membrane to me.

What If

What if they said, “Mary, I’d never try to tell someone how to spend their money or how to take care of themselves because that’s none of my business. My job is to tell you what I think would be the best for you based on the idea that you live right next door and have no travel concerns, and you have all of the time and money in the world. What would I think would be best for you? Then there’s reality and my job is to be here for you however you want to use me. We don’t hassle our patients about their recommendations. Just do me a favor if you can’t do what I recommend, don’t tell people that chiropractic didn’t work. OK? Tell them you weren’t able to do what the chiropractor recommended. Is that fair?”

And all the people said, Amen. Literally, every single one of them agrees that it is indeed fair.

Of course, I also tell them that if they love what we do for them and they get to feeling better, we’d love a great review on Google and Facebook but, if you don’t like us, just keep your mouth shut.” Of course, they know I’m kidding. Or am I?…..

The way I see it, I’m a specialist in what I do and that’s why a patient is here to see me and that’s what they will get. They’re not going to get politics and they’re not going to get religion either.

The way I see it, I’m a specialist in what I do and that’s why a patient is here to see me and that’s what they will get. They’re not going to get politics and they’re not going to get religion either.

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As I said in episode #56 when I talked about the magical mystical disappearing arthritic osteophytes, although in many areas of the world it’s getting better, we are still in a battle with a medical community that wants to do away with us. We need to ask ourselves an honest question. Does this sort of stuff, put us at risk of continued ridicule?

I doubt medical doctors are sitting around all over the country saying, “Mary, I’m concerned about you. If you don’t get this chemo followed by months of radiation, God can’t express himself fully in your body and your healing will not be complete, and you’re going to die.” “Mary, if you don’t take this oxcy, God won’t be able to calm down that issue long enough for us to make any progress in your healing.”

And, if you ever DO find one that does (there are always exceptions to the rule right?) if you find an MD that does that, the whole world is going to think he’s a coo coo loco and you might even see him on 60 Minutes one Sunday night.

God, faith, religion, and spirituality are wonderful things. They’re the #1 things in the lives of so many people including ME. Just don’t dirty them or the profession by using them as marketing and worse of all….tools to work patients and manipulate them. Please….

I love your religion and I love your passion as long as it’s genuine. Once it becomes about business and becomes a tool to work people, you lose me. That’s all I’m saying.

I love your religion and I love your passion as long as it’s genuine. Once it becomes about business and becomes a tool to work people, you lose me.

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Hopefully, not too many of you lost the cheese off of your cracker on that. Let’s keep moving.

Resource #1

I want to cover a recent article I noticed from WSAZ NewsChannel 3 up in Charleston, WV. It was written by Kaitlynn LeBeau called Ohio Lawmakers, doctors suggest chiropractic care instead of opioids(LeBeau 2018) and was posted on March 21, 2018.

https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Ohio-lawmakers-doctors-suggest-chiropractic-care-instead-of-opioids-477447883.html

It’s in WV but talking about Ohio and here’s what they had to say. The Ohio Attorney General and lawmakers held a press conference last March to talk about the need for alternatives to pain meds. The Attorney General, Mike DeWine, said: “More and more people are looking for new and innovative ways to treat pain.”

Yes, we already know this but he also went on to speak about community health centers that include medical, fitness, social and educational services. We’ve already talked about chiropractors getting integrated into the Federally Qualified Health Centers and, yes….you have one near you whether you know it or not. Just Google the term “FQHC” and then the name of your city or region and see what pops up.

Here’s what I really wanted to point out: we chiropractors have a powerful ally in American soldier, Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris. If you are not familiar with Sgt. Harris, he is located in San Antonio, TX last I heard unless he’s relocated.

Anyway, on his second deployment to Iraq, he was injured by a roadside bomb. When I say injured, I mean big time. Go do a google search on Shilo Harris and you’ll see immediately what I’m talking about.

Bless his heart and thank you for your service, Sgt. Harris. Heroes don’t play on a basketball court or football field. They fight selflessly and give of themselves for our freedom. For complete strangers, many of which don’t even like them. They fight for the love of country too, right? Just amazing people.

He is quoted in the article as saying, “I’m here to tell you that chiropractic care saved my life. I became addicted to my medications, naturally, in a sense because I had had so many back to back surgeries.”

Sgt. Harris has presented at Texas Chiropractic Association’s events and will be at another TCA event in just a couple of weeks down in Austin that I’ll be at. I’m looking forward to hopefully meeting him myself.

Resource #2

OK, next item: this one called “Evaluation of Postural Balance and Articular Mobility of the Lower Limbs in Chronic Neck Pain Patients by Means of Low-Cost Clinical Tests(Gomes P 2018)” It was authored Amy Pamela Karine Alvino Gomes, et al. and published in October of 2018 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

Why They Did It

The purpose of this study was to correlate measurements of chronic neck pain with the balance and mobility of the lower limbs and to compare these variables between individuals with chronic neck pain and asymptomatic participants.

How They Did It

It was a blinded, cross-cross-sectional study

They had chronic neck pain patients as well as asymptomatic people.

Outcome assessment tools were used to measure the difference in the groups.

What They Found

“Young adults with chronic neck pain present changes in static balance measured by means of the Functional Reach Test; that is, the higher the intensity of pain, the lower the anteroposterior excursion of the body during the execution of the test.

This week, I want you to go forward with this: again, I’m all for religion. Ultimately, you do you. Just do it proudly, honestly, and genuinely. Always try to be someone your family can be proud of and be above reproach.

I want you to know that Staff Sgt. Shilo Harris is awesome and he’s on our team so look him up and book him for your next association event or seminar or legislative effort.

I want you to know that Staff Sgt. Shilo Harris is awesome and he’s on our team so look him up and book him for your next association event or seminar or legislative effort.

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The Message

I want you to know with absolute certainty that when Chiropractic is at its best, you can’t beat the risk vs reward ratio because spinal pain is primarily a movement-related pain and typically responds better to movement-related treatment instead of chemical treatments like pills and shots.

When compared to the traditional medical model, research and clinical experience show that many patients get good or excellent results through chiropractic for headaches, neck pain, back pain, joint pain, to name just a few.

Chiropractic care is safe and cost-effective. It can decrease instances of surgery & disability. Chiropractors normally do this through conservative, non-surgical means with minimal time requirements or hassle to the patient.

And, if the patient develops a “preventative” mindset going forward from initial recovery, chiropractors can likely keep it that way while raising the general, overall level of health of the patient!

Key Point:

Patients should have the guarantee of having the best treatment offering the least harm.

That’s Chiropractic!

Contact

Send us an email at dr dot williams at chiropracticforward.com and let us know what you think of our show or tell us your suggestions for future episodes. Feedback and constructive criticism is a blessing and so are subscribes and excellent reviews on iTunes and other podcast services. Y’all know how this works by now so help if you don’t mind taking a few seconds to do so.

Help us get to the top of podcasts in our industry. That’s how we get the message out.

Connect

We can’t wait to connect with you again next week. From the Chiropractic Forward Podcast flight deck, this is Dr. Jeff Williams saying upward, onward, and forward.

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About the Author & Host

Dr. Jeff Williams – Chiropractor in Amarillo, TX, Chiropractic Advocate, Author, Entrepreneur, Educator, Businessman, Marketer, and Healthcare Blogger & Vlogger

Bibliography

Gomes P (2018). “Evaluation of Postural Balance and Articular Mobility of the Lower Limbs in Chronic Neck Pain Patients by Means of Low-Cost Clinical Tests.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 41(8): 658-664.

LeBeau, K. (2018). https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Ohio-lawmakers-doctors-suggest-chiropractic-care-instead-of-opioids-477447883.html. WSAZ News Channel 3.

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