Evidence Based Chiropractic

I am reading a book called, "Evidence Based Chiropractic" by Michael Haneline and it is great! It is a refresher of research principles and it was written specifically for chiropractors. I have enjoyed learning how to apply research to practice in this book as well as the course we are taking in EBP. In my opinion, these courses and books set the foundation for our development and acceptance in a medical practice. Even if we don't want to work with a team of physicians, we still must stay affluent in the literature pertaining to our therapies and treatments. Skills in EBC are critical for the profession to grow and prosper.

I enjoyed learning about why chiropractic has lacked in this area historically. A lack of money is the prime reason as well as the fear of medicine taking something away from chiropractic, such as manual medicine maneuvers. This fear has held the profession back in it's development and in a way has sort of pushed it in a corner. Now we are fighting tooth and nail to define what we do and how we are special compared to other professions. Many students I have talked with on campus believe it isn't their problem the profession is disengaged with itself and they so don't have an issue with technique system practices.

For example, a particular student told me today that it excites him to know a guy can just adjust the cervical vertebra for ANY condition. Not saying this person will do that in practice. This student likes the fact he will have the freedom to do anything he wants when he gets done and carve out a little niche. I am okay with this mentality but there has to be a point where ethics dictate this cookie cutter approach. I can't imagine how awful I'd feel if I took an acute low back pain person and adjusted their neck because that is all I do. Surprisingly, there are those who do this and carve out a niche doing it. How they sleep at night is beyond me.

My point with this post is that books like Evidence Based Chiropractic help the profession grow in ways it hasn't in the past. It helps us understand what happens when we adjust someone and it guides us in our clinical decision making. If we haven't learned the human element is complex yet, we don't belong here, in my opinion. And if we are against applying research to practice, we are making a clear statement of arrogance and ignorance.

On a positive note, there is a nice vibe on campus this week. It feels like everyone is clicking and there is more brotherly behavior among the student body. How sweet. I feel things are calming down at WSCC or we've simply accepted one another a bit further.

All for now