This week's "new pill"

We recently had an article in our local newspaper about a chiropractor using manipulation under anesthesia. He works hand in hand with a radiologist and anesthesiologist in a local hospital, and this was a grand story of patients being "put under" before being aggressively adjusted. All to relieve pain.

As I read the article, I could just feel the enthusiasm in the writer's tone, looking at this as yet another breakthrough in modern medicine. And, the thought that these medical professionals would allow a chiropractor into their sanctuary and work side-by-side with them, almost more than one could bear. Wow, chiropractic must really be excited with such acceptance.

What the story fails to recognize is the lack of foresight and efficiency in our neuro-musculo-skeletal care that is provided to members of our communities. Once again, why does someone get to the point of such chronic, severe pain? The answer is simple; we encourage nothing and provide nothing in the area of management and maintenance of people's structures. Anything proactive, like chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, physical therapy, custom orthotics, weight management, etc., is only recommended after the fact, never before.

There is a general assumption that everyone is "okay". Their structures are"okay". Ask any M.D. who has x-rays taken on patients backs, and they'll tell you most of them are "negative", meaning, the patient is "okay". But, looking closer, you'll learn the x-ray is negative for pathology, or disease, not biomechanics. Because the truth is, everyone is not okay. In fact, no one is okay. Everyone has biomechanical imbalances and issues. and these issues are the very precursors to structural breakdowns that lead to pain and disability.

So what's the moral of the story? Well, let's first congratulate the chiropractor who is working hand in hand with the medical community. For me, I never want to work in a hospital, as the very thought of that makes me quiver. The moral of the story is that acute, crisis care will always get headlines, as there is no excitement or newsworthiness in maintenance or health. How exciting is someone who doesn't hurt and lives a normal life?

Absence the glory and spotlight, I'll continue my mission to spread the word on Structural Management®, because the more people stay proactive and follow what we're teaching, the less they'll need to hire the "A" team who'll inject, x-ray and manipulate them.

This week's pill.