Welcome to August!  With the final push through summer in full swing, I hope you are making the most of every free moment you have!  I find this time of year to be the most exciting.  The end of summer is nearing and fall will be starting soon.  That means the kids will be going back to school, the trees begin to show their color and Minnesota really comes into its own.  We push so hard all summer trying to fit a year's worth of activities into a couple of months that we often forget to enjoy it.  With the fall, we all slow down just a bit, take a deep breath and often reflect on things in our lives.  This is a good thing!

This month I have decided to focus the newsletter on just that, reflections.  It is often easy to forget how we got where we are.  Remembering makes us wiser and more complete as people.  That area of your brain (limbic system) that deals with emotions also functions strongly with memory.  Memories and emotions are literally tied together and the brain and body respond accordingly.

This will be a fun newsletter to write and hopefully just as enjoyable for you to read.

Enjoy this issue!

Dr. Frisch

p.s. The State Fair is nearly here!!!!

(I put that in just to get Eileen going. I start talking about it in June!)

"I'll Ride an Elephant Through Town"

Chiropractic formally began as a 'profession' in 1895 with Daniel David Palmer giving the first adjustment in Davenport, Iowa.  The first adjustment was given to Harvey Lillard.  Harvey was a janitor and had been deaf for many years.  Dr. Palmer found spinal misalignments of his neck and upper back and corrected them for him.  A result of the adjustment was that Harvey Lillard regained his hearing and a new healing profession was born.

Chiropractic was not without its detractors.  Even though medical doctors of the day could still gain a license by 'correspondence school', they were quick to criticize the benefit of spinal manipulation as being fraudulent and the title 'quackery' soon followed.  Quackery is actually a medical term, not a chiropractic term.  During the 'Dark Ages' some physicians would give mercury to their liver patients to 'cure' them.  Well, mercury is toxic so all the patients died.  We call mercury 'quicksilver' because of the way it moves in a jar.  The Latin term for mercury is Quacksalber and doctors who gave their patients mercury were called 'Quacks'.  If you don't like a nickname, pass it on the younger brother.  That's how chiropractic came to be associated with the term 'quackery', but nothing could be further from the truth. 

Chiropractic spread rapidly because people wanted it.  It made sense,  physical problems were corrected and it was safe.  Word-of-mouth is what initially spread chiropractic.  Dr. Palmer's son, Dr. B.J. Palmer was sort of a showman, along with being a very good doctor.  He once rode an elephant through the middle of town to 'flamboyantly and vividly' preach the gospel of chiropractic.  It was a funny stunt for its day and was widely talked about.   

Everything hasn't always been so rosy for the chiropractic profession, however.  Persecution was widespread and Doctors of Chiropractic were often jailed for practicing their profession (even with a degree and license!).  This often resulted in forfeiture of their assets as well.  This may seem barbaric by today's standards, but this happened as recently as 60 years ago.  Chiropractic still suffers from persecution, but it is now economically related and how it effects the "money pie" of health care.  Chiropractic has proven itself to be effective clinically and the results are reproducible when held to strict research standards.  This is something even 'established' health professions often fail to do, but you may not hear about it.

Chiropractic has a long way to go to reveal to the public how everyone benefits from chiropractic care, not just the sick and injured.  Longevity studies are ongoing and I think, with time, the results will surprise most people as well as the doctors themselves. 

The ability to relieve pain and correct the source of the pain is paramount to a long life and in most instances, chiropractic does just that!           

You 'Pop' Bones Back, Right?

The simplest answer to this question is NO!  That is not what happens during a chiropractic 'treatment'.  It is much more complicated than that.

If you will bear with me, I will explain very quickly what actually happens during the chiropractic adjustment.

• First a consultation and examination are done to determine if a problem actually exists.  In some cases, X-rays and other testing may be needed.
• When a physical correction is deemed necessary, a chiropractic adjustment is made.
• Those of you who have kept up with these newsletters (hint, hint) will remember that there are two parts to each adjustment:

            A. The first part of the adjustment is a physical correction made with a specific force, in a specific line of drive, for a specific purpose! (That is key!)

           B.  The second part of the adjustment is proving to be more important than the actual mechanical thrust. This component consists of the VIBRATIONAL FREQUENCY of the thrust.  The vibration signal is the 'information' signal to the body of what to do!

• The vibrational thrust stimulates 74% of the nerve receptors in the subluxated (restricted) area.  This means that with each adjustment, 74% of available neurology in the area is stimulated and told what to do!  Activator Methods has really done some amazing research. 
• There is a sound (pop) when someone 'cracks' your neck the old fashioned way because NITROGEN GAS shoots across the joint.  Kind of like squeezing one of those packing bubbles.  This means that the pop isn't the bone 'going back into place' at all!  That isn't what happens, but it may have helped patients understand better that something was happening.
• Activator Technique Adjusting doesn't have a 'pop' associated with it.  We are more accurate and specific than the old style.  Because we are only adjusting  ONE, specific segment that needs it, there is no forced nitrogen gas shift across the joint.  This makes the adjustment comfortable.
• Immediately after the adjustment is given, local and distant nerve receptors fire and respond.  The brain is involved in part of this process, but 'not' involved in other parts of the joint repositioning and stability.
• When the joint complex has reached a point of stability, exercises can be implemented.  Exercises are ineffective early because the muscles are already doing their job (protective spasming) and resist another task.
• Once the problem is stable, it is up to each patient to maintain their own body.  Some will require only very periodic and infrequent care, while other will require a more structured program to maintain their bodies.  Care guidelines are based on many factors like:
• AGE
• OCCUPATION
• INJURY SUSTAINED
• PREVIOUS ACCUMULATION OF TRAUMA TO THEIR BODY
• ARTHRITIS OR OTHER DEGENERATION

I hope this helps to explain a bit further what happens during your initial care and why follow up may be needed. 

We have one body.  It is a complicated machine that is in constant motion and never sleeps.  Our maintenance of the body allow us to function on this planet better and longer.  It is that basic and that simple.                  

Recent Research Topics

• It has been determined that chiropractic adjusting plus exercise is superior to exercise alone for chronic low back pain.  This was a randomized study lasting 8 weeks.  Both groups did show improvement with their pain, but the adjusting plus exercise group had added benefits.  One year follow up showed that this group had a 67% return to work rate (vs. 27% for the other group) and only 19% still listed themselves as sick (vs. 59% with the exercise only group).

Aure O.F., Nilsen J.H., Vasseljen, O. Manual therapy and exercise therapy in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized, controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. Spine 2003: 28 (6), pp. 525-532.

• Fibromyalgia may be overdiagnosed.  A recent study revealed that the syndrome called Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed.  About 2% of the population suffers with true Fibromyalgia, which is coined by reduced pain threshold, diffuse muscle pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue and morning stiffness.  The noted study showed that 66% of the misdiagnosed people actually had arthritic problems, heart problems, depression, myopathy and thoracic outlet syndrome.  This was noted as "disturbing inaccuracy", stressing the need for more accurate diagnostic measures.

Fitzcharles, M.A., Boulos, P. Inaccuracy in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome: Analysis of referrals. Rheumatology 2003: 42 (2), pp. 263-267.

• A Danish study found that coffee consumption is linked to stillbirth. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that pregnant women who consumed 8 or more cups of coffee a day (while pregnant) were 3 times more likely to experience a stillbirth than those women drinking no coffee.  It was determined that the 'threshold' for consumption is 4-7 cups per day.  This was an 8 year study that followed 18,478 pregnant women.  Even though research often just implies 'indicators', this appears to be a fairly significant one.

Wisborg, K., Kesmodel, U., et al. Maternal consumption of coffee during pregnancy and stillbirth and infant death in the first year of life: Prospective study. British Medical Journal 2003: 326, pp.420-423.

Do think that we are an 'over-medicated' society?  Here's one that may open your eyes!

• Based on data gathered over a one-year period from 27,617 Medicare patients, there were 50 adverse drug reactions (events) per one thousand person years.  It was determined that 27.6% of ADE's (adverse drug events) were considered preventable.  38% of ADE's were deemed fatal, serious or life threatening. A higher percentage of these (42.2%) were deemed preventable.  The authors posed the scenario that if these findings were applied to "all" Medicare patients in general, there would be 2 million adverse drug events per year!  Of those, 500,000 should be preventable and, unfortunately, 180,000 would be fatal.

  This reveals the difficulty of administering medication!  It is hard to do!  Your MD needs your input when it comes to medication.  Don't be afraid to tell him/her of what you are experiencing with side effects, etc.  It is to everyone's benefit.

Gurwitz, J.H., Field, T.S., et al. Incidence and preventability of adverse drug events among older persons in the ambulatory setting. Journal of American Medical Association 2003: 289 (9), pp. 1107-1116. 

Eileen's Corner

Glenn is so happy this month.  I am featuring his favorite dessert of all time.  His mom would make a similar version of this dessert when he was growing up and he says he never got tired of it.  The peaches are now ripe, so enjoy!

Peach Refrigerator Dessert

1/2 lb. of Oreo cookies

6 whole Graham crackers

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3/4 cup of butter

2 beaten eggs (use pasteurized)

1/2 tsp vanilla

6 peeled peaches

1- 8 oz. container of Cool Whip

Use a rolling pin or food processor to crush the Oreos and Graham crackers into fine crumbs.  Sprinkle 1/2 of the mixture on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.  Save the remaining crumbs for the top. 

Cream the powdered sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla together in a mixer.  Carefully spread this over the bottom crumbs in the pan.  Peel and slice the peaches.  Spread them over the creamed mix in the pan.  Spread the Cool Whip over the peaches and then sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the Cool Whip.  Refrigerate overnight or at least 8-12 hours before serving.

Enjoy!

Eileen

( Glenn won't find this one at the State Fair!) 

August Highlights

• Como Park Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival.  August 17:  4 PM- Dark.    651-487-8201.
• Highland Fest. August 8-10: Artists, food and entertainment for the family.  Fri.-Sun. 651-699-9042. (Cleveland& Ford Parkway)  www.highlandfest.com. 
• Irish Fair of Minnesota.  August 8-10.  Fri-Sun. on Harriet Island in St. Paul. 952-474-7411.         www.irishfair.com.
•  Loring Park Art Festival.  August 2-3.  Artists and entertainment.  Sat.-Sun.  Held in Loring Park at Hennepin & 15th. 612-203-9911.   www.hometown.aol.com/loringartfest. 
• Loring Park Block Party.  August 16 from noon-10 PM. in Loring Park at Hennepin and 15th. (Don't forget to check out Joe's Garage!)
• Minnesota Renaissance Festival.  August 16-28 & weekends through Labor Day. 9 am-7 pm. Located in Shakopee, MN 800-966-8215.  www.renaissancefest.com.
• MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.  August 21-Sept 1st.  12 days of darn good fun!  Remember though,  there is no Country Music this year.  You can check out music on the website listed.  I haven't been told of new foods this year so I can't share that with you, either.  You will have to find out for yourself!!  St. Paul, MN.  Snelling & Como Aves.  651-603-6806.  www.mnstatefair.org.
• Stiftungsfest.  August 29-31.  This is a founder's day celebration with  German music, arts and crafts.  Central Ave.  Norwood Young America, 952-467-3365.  www.stiftungsfest.org.

HAVE A GREAT MONTH! 

Show up Ready to Work!

This line is something that we all know, but some forget.  What stimulated this column is the recent 'rash' of improprieties seen in the media regarding my profession and, actually, society as a whole.

There were some 'secret, undercover' news team stories recently that have exposed the ugly, underbelly of a few chiropractors that no one wants to believe exists.  This involved, primarily, sexual misconduct with patients.  Sexual misconduct may be inappropriate touching as well as more serious invasions of personal privacy.  One of the doctors arrested recently actually committed suicide the day after his arrest. 

I am appalled when I hear of this kind of garbage.  My stomach actually sinks to my shoes.  Maybe a dentist feels the same way when he/she hears about one of their own doing something similar, but I can't but help take it a little personal.  Patients trust us with the health of their body.  We as doctors are expected to make that machine look and perform optimally.  That can't happen when someone's main concern lies with their own emotional needs and physical gratification.

What someone does on their own time may be their business, but what we do in the office is everyone's business.  Personal 'conquests' should never be allowed in an office setting.  Behavior patterns with one patient may reflect onto other patients.  To end this predatory behavior, there are some easy steps you as a patient can take to insure your safety:

• Ask to see the clinic's policy book regarding patient interaction.  Every clinic should have a set of procedures in place on how to handle every step of that patient's time in the clinic.  If they don't, ask them why?
• Use your gut instincts.  If the clinic and doctor/patient relationship doesn't feel right for you, tell the doctor and ask for a referral.  The good doctors will not take it personally as they understand personality conflicts.  This transfer should have no emotional hitches!
• You may go to the chiropractic board web site and look up to see if the doctor has ever been on probation for anything, but remember that probation may have meant he/she simply filed taxes wrong, was late on a license renewal, thought they had enough education hours, but some wouldn't be accepted for one reason or another, an insurance company may have filed a complaint because they didn't want to pay a bill (it happens!!!), or a divorce may be contested and the wife/husband files a complaint.  Because someone may have had  probation, it doesn't mean that they are a bad doctor or even did anything wrong with patients.  It could be, and often is, unrelated to the physical care of that patient!  If you have a question, ask the doctor what it was about.  They can refuse to tell you and that is their right. But if it was trivial, they could explain it like I just did.  You still have to be the judge. (How did you get to that clinic in the first place?)
• Word-of-mouth.  This is still your best chance for great care.  A clinic that survives because happy patients refer others is your best assurance of great care.  If a doctor has been in practice a long time, that is another indicator of good care.  You can look at the posted license date to see when they were first licensed.  Licenses are usually framed and on one of the walls, as most doctors are proud of their license because of how difficult it was to get!  I am pleased to say that we have a referral clinic and nothing could thrill me more!  The patient trust is always more important than the money!!!   
• Grey hair, bags under the eyes and stupid Hawaiian shirts also indicate an excellent, long-term doctor. (Just kidding, but hey, why not?!!!)

I hope my venting helps you, your family and friends to make smarter decisions in choosing any future doctor.  You need to be alert and aware of what goes on around you, but I hope this helps buffer future choices.  Qualified Activator Methods doctors are in a world-wide directory.  If you have friends/family that need a doctor.  Have them contact my office and if they are too far away to come here, I will try and find one for them.   They may also go to the website www.activator.com and they can find qualified, competent doctors there.

The way to know if your doctor is right for you is to look, listen and learn.  Are you learning and being a part of your care or are you just being told what to do?  If it feels right, it probably is.  If you have concerns, you may want to change doctors.  There are 70,000 chiropractors in this country.  One will be right for you!

See you in September,

Dr. Frisch