AAOS Release List of Unnecessary Orthopedic Tests and Procedures- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

The AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) recently released their list of unnecessary orthopedic tests and procedures.  This is part of the "Choose Wisely" campaign which is, at least theoretically, supposed to assist patients in making proper health care decisions.

As the article released from Healio states:

"AAOS provided the five following recommendations for the Choose Wisely campaign:

• avoid performing routine postoperative deep vein thrombosis ultrasonography screening in patients who undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty;
• do not use needle lavage to treat patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee for long-term relief;
• do not use glucosamine and chondroitin to treat patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee;
• do not use lateral wedge insoles to treat patients with symptomatic medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee; and
• do not use postoperative splinting of the wrist after carpal tunnel release for long-term relief."

While these recommendations do not necessarily affect our practice as chiropractors, it is important to be familiar with the list so you may help guide your patients.  I am sure we all have patients who have had, or are scheduled for, some of the procedures on this list.  It may be in the best interest of your patient if you are able to provide them with information which may steer them away from invasive and ineffective treatments.  

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-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic outreach group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together.

Do I Need an MRI? by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Many primary care doctors order MRI's immediately for patients with spine complaints.  Did you know that research suggests the patients should be evaluated by a non-surgical spine physician first?  For many local primary care doctors, we are that choice! 

    -The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic outreach group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together

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Pediatrician Referring to a Chiropractor?

A mother and father arrive with their young child for his one month check up with their pediatrician.  During the visit they mention the young boy is not opening his jaw all the way, has limited neck motion, and while gaining adequate weight, the feedings are quite uncomfortable for mom due to the lack of jaw extension.  The pediatrician picks up the phone, calls his chiropractic colleague and refers the young boy for a chiropractic evaluation.  Does this seem like fantasy?  Well, this exact situation played out in my office just this week.  And it is due to the relationships that can be built using a systematic approach, like those of The Evidence Based Chiropractor.  

While most of the research provided by The Evidence Based Chiropractor is not pediatric specific, it is still extremely valuable to distribute this literature to your local pediatricians (assuming you are interested in seeing children in your practice).  The research positions you and your practice as one which is current, modern, up to date, and a trusty worthy source of health care for your community.  Then by using additional tools such as those outlined in The MD Meeting Report, you can establish the personal rapport necessary to facilitate these referrals.  

I don’t know about you, but the idea that my local pediatricians will “stand up” and directly refer patients to my office gets me really excited.  This is not about “seeking the approval” of local MD’s, but rather working in collaboration and gaining exposure to patients whom may have not made it to your office on their own.  After all, less than 12% of the population visits chiropractic offices. When other physicians in my community directly refer to my office I take pride in exposing their patients to our wonderful profession.  Join us, and utilize our elegant and effective service designed to facilitate these types of referrals.   

The Evidence Based Chiropractor  is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together

SPINE Recommending Maintenance Adjustments for Prevention?

In what may become a "landmark" study in research related to the practice of chiropractic, SPINE Journal emphatically recommends that maintenance (at a frequency of 2x month) adjustments to the lumbar spine may prevent future episodes of lumbar spine pain.   

Pain (VAS Score) and disability (Oswestry) were reduced continually with the group receiving maintenance treatment.  In conclusion they found that "we suggest that maintained SM is beneficial to patients with chronic nonspecific LBP particularly those who gain improvement after initial intensive manipulation to maintain the improved post-treatment pain and disability levels."

When powerful research such as this is produced for prescription medications, the pharm reps are banging down the door of every medical practitioner in country.  However, aside from our promotion at The Evidence Based Chiropractor, I have not seen a single chiropractic organization mount a campaign which promotes this research to the public or to other medical providers.   

Facebook, Google, Health Fairs, etc can all be good marketing for your practice.  But do not neglect perhaps the most valuable outreach and referral generator of interdisciplinary referrals.  We, as chiropractors, have an abundance of high quality research which needs to be promoted and not left dormant!  This library of research will continue to build and it will be our task to make sure that others are aware of the value of our care.  

If you do not have the time or desire to produce research briefs for other physicians in your community, then join us today. 

Join us by January 31st to receive zip code exclusivity and a FREE 30 minute implementation call!

The study- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21245790

The Evidence Based Chiropractor  is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together
 

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The Tampa Bay Bucanneers and MRSA

     Right now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are holding a press conference to discuss the continued outbreak of MRSA at their team facilities. As we know, MRSA is a bacterial infection which is extremely difficult to treat. Traditionally, MRSA “outbreaks” have been associated with hospitals, prison facilities, and military barracks. However, in the last few years their have been many additional cases reported at various athletic facilities. 

     While the direct treatment of MRSA is outside of the scope of my practice; I believe it offers a great example of how skewed our perception of “health” and “healing” can be.  For instance; if the mere presence of MRSA causes infection then why are not all of the Bucs currently infected?  Furthermore, why are not all hospital patients affected by MRSA (?) because it surely is present in a hospital setting. 

     The answer is because the immune system and “defense” mechanism of the host (individual person) is the determining factor on whether or not they become infected.  Millions of people enter hospital every year, are exposed to MRSA, leave the hospital and never become infected.  Just as nearly every Buc was exposed to MRSA, yet only a few have become infected to date. 

     The mere presence of bacteria, in this case MRSA, does not automatically mean that one will become infected.  This brings us to a fundamental flaw of the germ theory of disease.  While is may be true that the presence of a bacteria is needed for infection; it is truly the hosts ability to neutralize this pathogen that determines whether the individual becomes symptomatic and “infected”. 

     MRSA is very resistant to treatment and can be a serious threat to individuals’ health and well-being.  Truly an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Unfortunately, like many conditions in healthcare, the focus tends to be on the “awareness” and “cure” rather than on the prevention.  I am sure the Bucs are doing everything in their power to control, and eliminate, the immediate threat of this bacteria.  We also wish all of those affected with MRSA a speedy recovery.  However, it places an interesting topic of discussion regarding our current healthcare system and its focus treatment rather than prevention. 

    -The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession.  The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research.  Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals.  Join us.  Lets grow chiropractic together