Chiropractic Care Increases Quality of Life For HIV/AIDS 
Patients 10/02









            Dr. Tinsley, Up & Coming Weekly, 9/11/02 September 11, 
2002









      Most of the chiropractic work done with HIV/AIDS patients is 
new and

very clinical.

      Clinical studies indicate chiropractic can: 1) boost immune 
system

function, 2) help with secondary symptoms (i.e. peripheral 
neuropathy), and

3) address quality of life issues (reduction in stress, the 
prevention of

disease and symptoms). All of these are empowering HIV/AIDS 
patients to live

a more positive quality of life. This in turn increases life 
expectancy.



      Chiropractic has been proven on a very introductory scale. In

Psychoimmunity and the Healing Process: A Holistic Approach to 
Immunity and

AIDS, the use of chiropractic is highly recommended.





      In clinical trials, chiropractic has shown great potential to 
boost

immune function. A clinical study conducted at Life University by 
several

chiropractors demonstrated CD4 cell levels increased 48 percent 
compared to

control group. Both groups were monitored with Rand Corp. SF-36 
to determine

quality of life as rated subjectively. The adjusted group exhibited 
greater

subjective improvement than the control group.





      Several other preliminary studies also show the promise of 
immune

system boosting. In 1991 Patricia Brennan, PhD conducted a study 
that

demonstrated an increase of polymorph nuclear (PMN) and 
monocytes following

a thoracic adjustment. Dr. Pero stated in his research that 
"Chiropractic

patients in the study had 200 percent greater immune competence 
than people

who had not received chiropractic, and 400 percent greater immune 
competence

than people with cancer or other serious disease."





      Chiropractic can also help with secondary symptoms. These 
secondary

symptoms are usually the primary reason chiropractic care is 
sought out. In

his article, Craig Martin D.C stated "Eighty percent of those 
patients

reporting some degree of neuropathy (i.e. numbness, tingling and/or 
burning

in either one or both of the extremities), reported significant 
decrease in

these symptoms post-care."





      Patrece Frisbee D.C, of Stratogen Health of Miami Beach, a

multidisciplinary clinic, reports 80 percent of her patients are HIV

positive "and they need extensive chiropractic care because of the 
wide

array of side effects that accompany the powerful prescribed 
medications."





      The vertebral subluxation is comprised of five components.





      *Spinal kinesiopathology - the inability to comfortably turn 
neck,

hips, or back in every direction.





      *Neuropathophysiology - Impingement of nerves creating 
numbness,

tingling, pain or pins and needles.





      *Myopathology - tight, spastic, weak, sore, and/or overly 
sensitive

muscular responses.





      *Histopathology - swelling, tenderness, painful spots, and 
other soft

tissue changes.





      *Pathophysiology - muscles, joints, ligaments, and organs 
show wear

and tear and premature aging. (This has proven true in numerous 
low back

pain studies.)





      These are usually the reasons people see chiropractors. 
Adjustments

alleviate these components, providing a powerful medium to 
combat primary,

as well as secondary symptoms.





      Quality of life is an issue that has a profound effect on 
HIV/AIDS

patients. Increasing quality of life symbiotically decrease stress 
plays a

major part in life expectancy.





      Testimonials of Chiropractic HIV/AIDS patients are good 
indicators to

quality of life issues. Dr. Craig Martin best describes 
chiropractic's role

in lifestyle. "My own clinical experience has led me to believe that 
people

with AIDS are looking to be educated as to how they can best help 
themselves

with infection," he said. "As a chiropractor, I attempt to provide 
useful

information for leading an immunopositive lifestyle. This includes

recommendations on exercise, nutrition, rest, attitude, education 
and

personal habits."





      This immunopositive lifestyle is an integral part of many 
chiropractic

institutions, schools and practices. This self empowers AIDS/HIV 
patients,

by teaching them to become more self reliant on health care 
decisions. They

learn to become more of an active part in their own health.





      Chiropractic is an alternative that will work with HIV/AIDS 
patients.

It has broadened the view of chiropractic as a mind/body therapy. 
It's role

in healthcare is increasing everyday. If you aren't under 
chiropractic, then

you are not allowing your body to perform at 100 percent.







      ŠUp & Coming Magazine 2002