Q:

Our Association of Chiropractors is being asked to do some
type of presentation explaining to insurrance companies what
Chiropractic is, how do we do it (adjustment), validating it, etc....
The importance of these presentations is that with some companies we
only get paid $10-$20 including co-payment. It is a great opportunity to
educate them and at the same time increase our income. Where can we find
good research about chiropractic? Research about people going to work
faster with chiropractic care? Kids being less sick  under chiropractic
care? Study comparing cost-effectiveness of chiropractic?

A:

Thanks for the e-mail. In this case .. I would make it simple but also reasonable. As I 
explain chiropractic in a deposition or amongst MD¼s .. I stick to the fact that we are 
biomechanical scientists relating structure with function. If the spine (the human frame) is 
distorted in anyway .. rotated bones .. decreased disc height .. lateral flexed segments .. 
loss of normal curves (especially in the cervicals) .. (and have simple but concise examples 
of this) muscle spasms .. trigger points or whatever .. function will suffer. How? First the 
body begins a defensive process .. tightens weak areas .. begins the process of increased 
wear and tear (leading to early joint stress ultimate quickened arthritis) and loss of structural 
integrity and further compensatory reactions resulting in deceased function.

Function can be determined either via soft tissue response (heat .. swelling .. loss of 
supportive integrity .. disc degeneration .. fibrosis and scar formation .. loss of elasticity .. 
loss of normal ROM .. etc. ) or via hard tissue response (shearing of end plates .. calcium 
build up and osteophytic formation .. segmental breakdown.

Function then results in neurological insult effecting visceral response and reaction.

If you use the model of the Five Components of the Subluxation this fits in perfectly.

As you discuss chiropractic to a group that has auto accidents in mind .. relate to how a 
sudden jolt via a collision may force the human spine .. especially the neck .. to hyper react 
.. hyper stretching and often micro tearing the paraspinal supportive components ..  
resulting in an immediate defensive response of spasms and the rest that is written above.

The chiropractic approach is to first stabilze and contain further insult and then rehabilitate 
and maintain the integrity while the body goes through remodeling and repair. 

I recommend you purchase my PI Workshop Workbook which has a number of these 
items inside.

As far as general wellness issue .. again .. make it real but not oversell. Using the model 
above .. except take out the PI component .. use general Lifestyle that produce the wear 
and tear .. children at play .. workstations and sports activities etc. Our role is managing 
the physical stress to reduce the neurological  stress 

Have a Great Day

Dr. M