Lifecare Chiropractic
James Bogash, DC
Amy Strock, DC

1830 S. Alma School Rd
Bldg 7, Ste 135
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 839-CARE (2273)

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September 2005 Newsletter

Profiles in Chiropractic

Chiropractic is one of the most sought-after forms of primary health care in the nation. In fact, it is estimated that two-thirds of all outpatient visits for back pain are made to doctors of chiropractic for care. While much is known about the typical patient who visits a chiropractor, less is known about the typical doctor of chiropractic. A recently published study sought to get a better picture of the average chiropractor, and has found that both doctors and their patients have a favorable impression of the profession.

In the study, researchers collected data on 131 chiropractors and 1,275 chiropractic patients in the U.S. and Canada. Among the factors they examined were annual income and the types of therapies a chiropractor uses in practice. For chiropractic patients, the researchers looked at several demographics, including health status, reasons for seeing a chiropractor, and satisfaction with treatment.

Eighty-three percent of the chiropractors surveyed reported working full-time; 80 percent owned their own practices. Seventy-eight percent reported an annual income of at least $80,000, and just under half (48 percent) had been in practice for 11 years or longer. In terms of chiropractic patients, the majority of them (76 percent) reported seeing a chiropractor for back pain. Most patients were highly confident of the care they received; on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best), 78 percent rated their care an 8 or better. In addition, 90 percent of the patients said they would "definitely" recommend chiropractic to their family and friends.

In their conclusion, the authors wrote, "The results ... describing the practice, the practitioners, and the patients would seem to imply that chiropractors have firmly established themselves within the health delivery system of North America." They added that "for a majority of patients, the chiropractor is the primary contact provider for the current episode being treated by chiropractic."

To learn more about the benefits of chiropractic, visit www.chiroweb.com/find.

Coulter ID, Shekelle PG. Chiropractic in North America: a descriptive analysis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, February 2005;28(2):83-9.

Prescription Drugs and Pregnancy: What Are the Risks?

Everyone knows that taking prescription drugs while pregnant can put both the mother and her unborn child at risk. Everyone also knows - or should know - that some drugs are safer than others. The question is, how often do pregnant women receive drugs that might compromise their health, or put their children's lives in danger? That's what a team of researchers in the U.S. tried to answer.

In their study, the authors looked at the health records of more than 152,000 women to determine the number and types of drugs they received before and during pregnancy. The drugs were divided into five categories developed by the Food and Drug Administration, according to their risk to the developing fetus. Category X medications were considered by the FDA as drugs that possessed a "definite fetal risk" that clearly outweighed any benefits.

Results: Sixty-four percent of the women received at least one drug or medical supply other than a vitamin or mineral supplement. Over 47 percent of the women received a drug from the three riskiest categories. Using these figures as a blueprint, the authors estimated that of the 4 million women who deliver a child in the United States each year, "as many as 280,000 ... are exposed to drugs with evidence of potential fetal risk."

If you or someone you know is pregnant, please make sure to talk with your doctor about the risks of any medications before you start taking them. Also, make sure to provide your doctor with a list of any drugs, herbal remedies or dietary supplements you are currently taking, to help reduce the risk of side-effects or potential interactions.

Andrade SE, Gurwitz JH, Davis RL, et al. Prescription drug use in pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, August 2004;191(2):398-407.

The Power of Positive Feedback and Motivation

Previously published studies have shown that regular exercise can help people who suffer from chronic low back pain (LBP). Unfortunately, however, many LBP sufferers do not follow through and complete their recommended exercise program. Part of the reason, some scientists believe, is that these people do not receive enough motivation from their doctor to complete the program.

PreviouslyIn this study, researchers looked at the effect motivation and positive feedback could have on people with chronic low back pain. Ninety-three patients were randomized into two groups and followed at different intervals for 5 years. The first group participated in a series of 10 25-minute training sessions an average of 2.3 times per week, with gradual increases in exercise over time. The second group engaged in the same series of exercises, but also received other interventions, such as counseling, problem-solving strategies, positive feedback from practitioners, and the signing a "contract" in which the patient agreed to stay on the exercise program.

PreviouslyWhile patients in both groups showed significant improvements in disability scores, "the cumulative effect in the motivational group across all points of assessment was more than twice that in the control group." In addition, only patients who received motivation and positive feedback showed a significant increase in the ability to return to their original level of work activity. The authors concluded that "the combined exercise and motivation program was superior to the standard exercise program" for patients with chronic low back pain.

PreviouslyExercise is an important tool that can be used to treat low back pain, but it is by no means the only one. Receiving encouragement and support from others, along with a balanced diet, are just as important. Using these therapies together will help relieve your back pain - and make you a happier, healthier person.

PreviouslyTo learn more about back pain, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/backpain.html.

Friedrich M, Gittler G, Arendasy M, Friedrich KM. Long-term effect of a combined exercise and motivational program on the level of disability of patients with chronic low back pain. Spine, 2005;30(9):995-1000.

 Obesity: Tough on the Hips, Tougher on the Knees

Obesity can lead to a wide range of health problems in adults, one of which is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the leading reasons for people to have hip- or knee-replacement surgery. It doesn't take much, then, to assume that obesity contributes to having to have a joint replaced. Researchers in this study attempted to determine exactly what role obesity plays in joint replacement, and whether obese patients are more likely to need their hip joints or knee joints replaced.

In this study, the authors looked at the health records of more than 17,000 people undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. The patients were then grouped into one of four categories - obese, overweight, acceptable weight, or underweight - based on their body mass index, or BMI.

Results: Eighty-one percent of joint replacement patients with BMI measurements were classified as obese or overweight. Only 18 percent had an "acceptable" weight, with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. After adjusting for age and gender, obese patients were three times as likely to have a joint replaced compared to acceptable weight patients; overweight patients were twice as likely to have joint replacement surgery.

The authors concluded that being overweight or obese "not only increases the likelihood of needing a joint replacement, but it also has a negative impact on how well a patient recovers and how long a patient remains in hospital following surgery." They added that being obese or overweight could cause other complications, such as repeat surgeries, because the extra weight could lead to more wear and tear on an artificial joint.

For more information, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal/extremities.

Canadian Joint Replacement Registry. 2005 Report - Total Hip and Total Knee Replacements in Canada. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Institute for Health Information.

How Do You Spell Good Patient Care? R-E-S-P-E-C-T

It's well-known that the more involved a patient is in the care they receive, the more likely that patient is to have a good outcome. However, there's a big difference between getting a patient involved in their care, and having patients feel respected by the doctor who sees them. What's the difference between respect and involvement, and how does it affect what your patients do? The answers to those questions formed the basis of this recent survey.

In the survey, researchers asked more than 5,000 patients who had a "medical encounter" in the past two years about the quality of care they received and how involved they were in making decisions about their care. The patients were also asked about the level of dignity and respect with which they were treated, and to note any times where they didn't follow their doctor's advice, get a recommended test, or chose not to see another doctor that was referred to them.

Most of the patients reported "being treated with a great deal of dignity and respect," "being involved in decisions to the extent that they wished," or both. When patients were treated with dignity, they were "more likely" to report being satisfied with the care they received and to stick to a treatment plan. Patients who helped decide their course of care also reported feeling more satisfied with their doctor, and were more likely to adhere to their treatment plan.

While most patients expect to be treated with respect by their doctors, the sad fact is, it doesn't always happen. Spending a few extra minutes to explain what's being done (and why), and letting a patient have more of a say in his or her care, will go a long way toward ensuring that a health-related complaint or problem will have a happy ending for patients - and their doctors.

Beach MC, Sugarman J, Johnson RL, et al. Do patients treated with dignity report higher satisfaction, adherence, and receipt of preventive care? Annals of Family Medicine, July/August 2005;3(4):331-338.

Processed Foods Cause Prostate Blues

Research has shown that the more fat you consume, the greater your chances of developing prostate cancer. However, fat isn't the only factor. The types of food a person eats, along with the amount and frequency of food, can also contribute to an increased prostate cancer risk.

In this Canadian study, scientists explored the link between diet and prostate cancer in more than 400 men ages 50 to 80, using questionnaires that detailed the men's dietary habits in the previous two years. After reviewing the questionnaires, each of the men fell into one of four dietary patterns: "healthy living" (high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry); "traditional Western" (red meat, processed meats, sweets, and hard liquor), "processed" (processed meats, red meat, organ meats, refined grains, vegetable oils, and soft drinks), and "beverages" (high intake of tap water, soft drinks, fruit juices, poultry, and potatoes).

Results: Men whose diets fell into the "processed" pattern had a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men in the other groups. According to the researchers, "the highest tertile of factor score for the Processed Diet pattern ... was associated with a >2.5-fold increased prostate cancer risk." Men with traditional Western diets showed a "slightly increased prostate cancer risk," while men in the other groups either had no risk or less risk of developing prostate cancer.

While prostate cancer is quite common in men, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting it. For instance, you can lower your intake of processed foods and red meats, and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole (unrefined) grains. You can also speak with your doctor of chiropractic about setting up a health plan that incorporates all of the features necessary for a balanced diet. For more information, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.

Walker M, Aronson KJ, King W, et al. Dietary patterns and risk of prostate cancer in Ontario, Canada. International Journal of Cancer, Sep. 10, 2005;116:592-598.

James Bogash, DC and Amy Strock, DC
1830 S. Alma School Rd, Bldg 7, Ste 135, Mesa, AZ 85210
(Alma School Road, just south of the Superstition Freeway/Highway 60)
Chiropractic Health Care for Chandler, Mesa and Tempe Arizona
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