Pathways Article Summaries and References
Issue 15 - Fall 2007
Letter from the Editor
Jeanne Ohm, DC
“Experimental and Investigational”
Proposed Myth: Around the country, “health” insurance companies are denying chiropractic care for children under the age of 12 years. Labeling chiropractic care for children as “experimental and investigational,” these insurance industries are misleading parents into believing that chiropractic care is not safe or effective for children.
Reality: Doctors of Chiropractic have been adjusting children for over 100 years. The
incidence of malpractice claims with children is extremely minimal. One insurance claims
adjuster told me, “In fifteen years of insuring thousands of chiropractors, I have seen maybe
five cases of malpractice involving children. Most of them had to do with the child tripping
over the adjusting table or some similar type of equipment-related injury.”
Deceptive Intimidation: One can only question the motive to influence parents’ rights to choose chiropractic care when numerous on-going drug treatments—known to be ineffective, used off label, and even worse cause harm—are covered by these same policies.
Double Standard: Questionable treatment protocols for our country’s children are frequently established by the drug-controlled medical system without sufficient documentation to substantiate their safety and efficacy. These services are frequently accepted and covered. On a regular basis, research studies reveal the danger and ineffectiveness of these“approved” treatments and yet they continue to be covered by insurance policies in spite of the scientific findings!
With recent media coverage of these atrocities, parents are beginning to realize that the insurance industry may have what appears to be a double standard for evaluating safe health care coverage for their families.
Unquestioned, routine procedures: Too many to list, the following are just a few examples where this double standard in health care coverage is revealed…
Unnecessary flu shots: Setting aside the questionability of all childhood vaccines, the flu vaccine represents another example where there was no substantial, scientific data and yet, it was recommended and included as a covered service. Recently, a study, published in The Lancet, found that flu shots are not effective in children younger than two years of age. These scientists said they “recorded no convincing evidence that vaccines can reduce mortality, hospital admissions, serious complications and community transmission of influenza” in young kids. Another point to note is that the flu vaccine still has high levels of thimerosal.
Why would your insurance company cover these services?
Leading Drug Company Deceives Parents: It was bad enough that the known neurotoxin
thimerosal was ever used in vaccines. Even worse, however, was after the thimerosal toxicity
was finally exposed and the FDA-approved thimerosal-free vaccines, a leading drug company
announced they had eliminated it from their hepatitis-B vaccine but then continued to
distribute the thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine for another two years.
Did your insurance premiums pay for these unwarranted and unethical services?
Psychotropic Nightmare: The rise in the use of psychotropic drugs in this country for children is inexcusable. Although substantial scientific data has warranted criticism and serious cause for alarm in prescribing all psychotropic drugs to children, rather than a decrease, its use has escalated. How can this be? Perhaps the easy drug access via “health” insurance coverage may be contributing to its alarming rise in children?
It remains to be seen whether the insurance industry will act on behalf of our children’s safety and question their routine coverage of what should be labeled experimental and investigational substances.
Antibiotics and Ear Infections: Repeated published studies indicate that antibiotics are ineffective for the treatment of ear infections and doctors should take a watch and wait approach. The American Academy of Pediatrics has even issued a statement to that effect.
Not only ineffective for ear infections, the rampant antibiotic use is creating numerous other health concerns. Regardless of the scientific evidence, continued coverage for these services is unquestioned.
How long will the drug favored industries remain unchecked?
Misleading Headlines: A recent paper published in the
journal Pediatrics addressed the issue of pediatric safety as it
pertains to spinal manipulative therapy. The review of the scientific
literature spanned a period of 104 years, with visit frequency
estimated at 30 million. Only 10 adverse events were associated
with chiropractic care. Of the 10 cases, 5 patients experienced
only minor adverse events (i.e., sore and stiff neck, sore back)
that were self-limiting, did not require medical attention
and were cared for successfully by the treating chiropractor. Upon
examining the literature of the remaining 5 cases, cause and
effect inference was found to be inappropriate.
An objective conclusion from this data would be chiropractic care appears to be the safest form of health care for our children. However, that is not what the news wires chose to publish. Their appetite for sensation and inadequate reporting announced,“Serious events may be associated with pediatric spinal manipulation.” In lieu of the many medical studies cautioning against numerous, accepted treatments for children, these headlines indicated strong bias from self-interest groups which will continue to fuel insurance company double standards.
Documenting the Truth: Yes, we need accurate, unbiased data and we need it now. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) represents the largest body of pediatric chiropractors, worldwide. The ICPA is the only free-standing organization outside of the chiropractic college arena conducting research to establish accurate, published data about the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children and in pregnancy. ICPA members and their patients belong to the largest chiropractic practice-based research program in the world and are currently participating in a survey study entitled, “Iatrogenesis of Chiropractic Care for Children.” The purpose of the study is to reveal any possible side effects or adverse reactions associated with chiropractic care in children. The data gathered will be submitted to and presented at various scientific conferences throughout the world. Data collection will proceed until thousands of pediatric cases are examined to address the issue of safety.
Preliminary data collection has been revealing to say the least.
When being asked to write down any side effects or adverse
reactions associated with their child under chiropractic care, the
frequent responses from most parents have been similar to this:“Do you mean my child slept better, digested better, showed
improved attention span, experienced better immunity?” In other
words, according to the preliminary data collected, the myth that
chiropractic is not safe for kids may finally be put to rest
and replaced with parental reporting that chiropractic care has
numerous benefits for children.
Active Support and Participation: In addition to research, it is through public awareness and consumer demand that justice is served. The ICPA offers on-going support through continued updates and resources on the ICPA website, with free e-newsletters and, of course, by the published articles in Pathways magazine. Your continued subscription to Pathways is one way for you to be actively involved. Sales from Pathways contribute to the research validating the Wellness Lifestyle you choose for your families. Informing others about these helpful resources is another way for you to participate in this much needed change. I am reminded of this quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Many thanks for your on-going support.
Many Blessings,
Jeanne Ohm, DC
FEATURE
What Every Mother Knows
Anna Jahns
From the Article:
Every mother intuitively knows the supreme importance of the relationship between her and her child with every fibre of her being, for Nature has designed it to be this way.
There is nothing obscure or esoteric about the bond of intuitive connectedness that exists between mother and child—it is something so inherent to our biological system that it is as natural to us as breathing, and in many ways it is just as essential to our survival...
This article first appeared in ByronChild magazine.
About the Author:
Anna Jahns is a freelance writer interested in lifelong learning,
sustainable living and the humbling and insightful task of conscious
parenting! She is involved in created learning and parenting communities
and is currently living with her family in Goa, India.
Anna can be contacted at: sajahns@gmx.net
WELLNESS LIFESTYLE
WELL BEYOND MEDICINE-The Wait and See Prescription
Darrel Crain, DC
From the Article:
Earaches bring more unhappy children to emergency rooms and pediatric offices each year than just about any other health disorder. Antibiotics remain the most popular medical treatment for earache, with doctors reportedly writing 15 million prescriptions per year in the United States alone. It is estimated that at least half of the prescriptions are unnecessary and ineffective for helping this problem.
Due to the widespread overuse of antibiotics, drug-resistant germs have been reproducing as fast as frolicking rabbits, constantly evolving new levels of drug resistance. For over a decade our health leaders have been sounding the alarm to doctors to stop writing so many prescriptions for antibiotics because of growing drug resistance as well as serious health risks to the user...
References:
Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational
challenge: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
About the Author:
Dr. Darrel Crain is a Family Chiropractor and Natural Health Writer practicing in San Diego, California. He is the President of the CCA San Diego County District.
Dr. Crain can be reached at: 619-445-0100
HOLISTIC WELLNESS
From Stress to Bliss
Shubra Krishan
From the Article:
Stress, said a wise man, is the common cold of the psyche. How true! Only, while the common cold strikes twice—or at the most, thrice—a year, stress has become a constant presence in our minds and bodies.
How deeply stress has penetrated our psyches is evident when you consider this image. Imagine yourself standing eyeball to red eyeball with a giant Rottweiller dog.
Psychology tells us that in life and death moments like these, the body prepares for a “fight or flight” response. In just about thirty seconds of panic, look what happens to your body. Your palms tingle. Your hair stands on end. Your temples start to sweat. You break out in gooseflesh. Your spine shivers. Your eyes dilate. Your heartbeat quickens. Your blood pressure rises. Your stomach turns an angry red, and digestion switches off. Your bladder loosens. A prominent nerve stands out on your forehead. The blood drains from your face. Your body releases dozens of emergency chemicals to deal with the situation...
About the Author:
Shubhra Krishan is a journalist from India, now based in Colorado. Her experience includes ten years as on-air anchor and correspondent for India's largest television network and three years as a journalist for major women's magazines in India. Each of these assignments focused on alternative healing and health. Now her health articles are appearing in U.S. magazines. Shubhra's first book is about to be released. It is based on the practical experiences of a journalist who approached Transcendental Meditation as a skeptic, only to discover it's relaxation benefits.
Shubhra can be contacted at: es.kay@usa.net
CHIROPRACTIC FOR LIFE
Are Your Kids Safe?
Tim DeCanio, DC, DACNB
From the Article:
Most people are surprised to find out that the first stress placed on a child’s neck and back is during the birthing process. An estimated 60-90 lbs. of force is used on an infant’s neck during “normal” delivery. Do you think this could cause damage to your child’s spine and nervous system? Fact: The nervous system controls every cell and organ (heart, lungs, brain, stomach) in your body. Equally surprising is the fact that 26% of children surveyed at school reported a history of back pain...
About the Author:
Dr. Tim DeCanio hails from Sarasota, Florida. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a family doctor. Dr. Tim earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Fitness at Florida State University. He continued his education and earned an additional Bachelor’s degree in Human Science. From there, he pursued his dream of becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic. His knowledge of the body and nervous system lead him to complete an additional three years of post-doctoral training in Neurology. His patient-care paradigm is, “All people; all ages; all reasons”.
Website: www.drtim.net
PREGNANCY & BIRTH
For expectant women it's not too much to ask
Tina Cassidy
From the Article:
That is true. But new dangers and indignities in standard maternity care have begun to replace the old ones. Most notably, health care providers are pushing expectant mothers to have medical interventions they may not need or want, and may be better off without.
Unprecedented in scope, a new survey of women who gave birth in hospitals last year found that women’s wishes were not always respected and they were not necessarily asked permission before procedures...
About the Author:
Tina Cassidy is a journalist, and the author of Birth: The Surprising History of How We are Born (published by Atlantic Monthly Press). Tina worked at the Boston Globe for more than a dozen years, editing and reporting on everything from business to presidential politics to international fashion. She lives in Boston with her husband and their two sons.
Website: www.tinacassidy.info
BREASTFEEDING
Of Love & Milk: Facing Our Breastfeeding Ambivalence
Marcy Axness, Ph.D.
From the Article:
Mother’s milk. The term is synonymous with everything tender, nourishing, and loving. The best. Indeed, a slogan-writer bottom-lined it succinctly: Breast is best. So why do we have so much ambivalence about breastfeeding? Why do we wrestle with the choice of will I or won’t I breastfeed? Why are nursing mothers still asked to leave restaurants or harassed by requests to “be more discreet”? Why the myriad of cultural messages undermining breastfeeding?...
About the Author:
Marcy Axness, Ph.D., is an early development specialist, adjunct professor at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, and popular speaker on attachment, culture, and child & parent development. Dr. Axness has a counseling practice in the Los Angeles area specializing in fertility, pregnancy & birth psychology, adoption and early parenting. Reach her via her website at: www.QuantumParenting.com or at: DrMarcy@QuantumParenting.com
PARENTING
Teaching Children Respect
Pam Leo
From the Article:
Children are mirrors; they reflect back to us everything we say and do. We now know that 95% of everything children learn, they learn from what is modeled for them. Only 5% of all they learn is from direct instruction. Human beings are like tape recorders. Every word we hear, everything we experience, is permanently recorded in our subconscious. Whenever adults speak, we are being role models for the children in our presence. What we speak is what we teach. Children record every word we ever say to them or in front of them. The language children grow up hearing is the language they will speak...
About the Author:
Pam Leo is an independent scholar in human development, a parent educator, a certified childbirth educator, a doula, a parent, and a grandparent.
For more information, articles and reprint permissions,
contact Pam at her website:
www.connectionparenting.com
MIND-BODY
Evolve Your Brain-The Science of Changing Your Mind
-Part 1 of an Interview
with Joe Dispenza, DC
From the Article:
Dr. Joseph Dispenza studied biochemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. He went on to receive his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating magna cum laude. He is the recipient of a Clinical Proficiency Citation for clinical excellence in doctor-patient relationships from Life University and a member of the International Chiropractic Honor Society.
Dr. Dispenza’s postgraduate training and continuing education has been in neurology, neurophysiology and brain function. He has authored several scientific articles on the close relationship between brain chemistry, neurophysiology and biology, and their roles in physical health. He has authored the book: Evolve Your Brain: the Science of Changing Your Mind. Dr. Dispenza was also one of the scientists, researchers and teachers featured in the multi-award winning hit movie,“What the BLEEP Do We Know!?” ™
Joseph Dispenza is known by his ability to translate scientific concepts of physics and biology into every day comprehensible language.
Catch Part 2 in issue 16 of Pathways (winter 2007).
About the Interviewee:
Dr. Joseph Dispenza studied biochemistry
at Rutgers University in New
Brunswick, N.J. He went on to receive
his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at
Life University in Atlanta, Georgia,
graduating magna cum laude. He is the
recipient of a Clinical Proficiency
Citation for clinical excellence in
doctor-patient relationships from Life
University and a member of the
International Chiropractic Honor Society.
Website: www.drjoedispenza.com
FAMILY LIFE
Eating Right for Sleep
Patti Teel
From the Article:
Food has a huge impact on a child’s well-being. It can energize, increase hyperactivity, or induce fatigue. Just as a lack of sleep can jumble a child’s thinking or cause learning problems, so can an inadequate diet. Each child is a unique individual, and it’s unreasonable to think that “one size fits all” diet advice is realistic. Children seem to be born not only with an emotional temperament but with a food temperament. For instance, my son has always had a particular suspicion and aversion to any food that is green; however, he doesn’t care much for sweets. In direct contrast, my youngest daughter has always loved vegetables and from the time she was a toddler, her favorite food was broccoli. Unfortunately, she also inherited my sweet tooth...
About the Author:
Patti Teel lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and their children.
Patti is the fairy godmother of peaceful bedtimes. Dubbed “The Sleep Lady” by The Wall Street Journal, and “The Dream Maker” by People Magazine, she is the creator of an award-winning system which eradicates nighttime struggles between parents and kids. Her highly acclaimed audio series teaches children a fail-proof way to relax themselves to sleep through relaxation exercises based in yoga, visualizations, music and storytelling.
Website: www.pattiteel.com
Research Review Footnotes:
New WHO Guidelines include Growth Charts for Exclusively Breastfed Infants
1- www.who.int/childgrowth (click on "standards" to get to the actual charts)
Vaccinated Children Have More ADHD, Autism, and Asthma
1- The Generation Rescue survey published June 26, 2007 can be found at their website www.generationrescue.org/survey .html
2- Enriquez R, et al. The relationship between vaccine refusal and self-report of atopic disease in children. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2005 (April); 115 (4):737-744
Soccer
Citation
Leininger RE et al. Epidemiology of 1.6 million pediatric soccer-related injuries presenting to US emergency departments from 1990 to 2003. Am J Sports Med 2007 Feb; 35:288-93. [Medline® abstract]
Copyright © 2007. Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.
Fruits and Vegetables
Chatzi L, et al. Protective effect of fruits, vegetables and the Mediterranean diet on asthma and allergies among children in Crete. Thorax. 2007 Apr 5; [Epub ahead of print]
Back to Pathways References Page