Why? Good luck!

[Guest guest]

You asked for articles/journals/data. No, no, not that kind of data, its not the right color, smell or texture. Maybe you should have been more specific. This is my subtle attempt at humor, not trying to be arrogant. Just amazing that when someones beliefs are strong enough they are unable to look at anything, even when they have asked for it.

As I have stated prior, my opening e-mail was meant to be funny, the arrogant/ whatever part was to ensure you respond. My responses since have been in reaction to your responses. Why is it that each of the e-mails, when unable to respond, eventually end in negativity and name calling as a response. Guess this is what happens when people feel threatened. If you are so confident in your theories then why resort to name calling and negativity. From the beginning I have said if by questioning it leads you to a stonger belief- great, if you in some way change- great.

Now, lets talk about the guarding mechanism I described. When a facet joint/disc/capsule/ligament becomes irritated the body's natural response is to guard and protect the injured tissue/joint and create stability. It does this (as described in the journals) by way of muscular contraction, thus preventing a spinal segment/segments from further injury or instability. This muscular guarding pulls a segment/segments away from the irritated or injured tissue/joint and prevents the joint from moving into irritation. Original chiropractic theory would call this "misalignment/malposition" (wrong position), I call this "correct position" given the irritation and injury, another original chiropractic theory would call this "fixation" (a segment that has become wrongfully stuck). According to malposition we should move/manipulate/mobilize the segment back into alignment with the other segments.

According to Fixation we should move/manipulate/mobilize the segment because it needs more motion in order to keep the joint and tissue healthy. I say we should provocate the segment, find out what is irritated and treat away from irritation (given there is a non-painful range). This is not to say that I do not take x-rays, mri, bone scan, etc., further studies are performed as warranted. I would think that common sense would tell us that moving the segment back into alignment would be working against the body and pushing the segment into irritation, thus prolonging the healing time and treatment. Great for the pocket book, unfortunately bad for the patient. Manipulating does work, it is very effective. The queston is whether we are treating or evaluating the joint/tissue correctly. We have all had the miraculous healing episode, where the patient returned to your office and said, "doc, I can't believe

it, I feel great!". In this case you were able to aid in the tissue/joints recovery. We have also all had the patient that returns and says, "I don't feel any better, in fact I feel worse!". In this case you did not aid in the tissue/joint recovery and in this case caused irritation or even made it worse. Had you provocated the tissue/joint you would have know which direction would best aid in the tissue/joint recovery. Hopefully you can see where I am coming from. I have had too many patients that have seen other local chiropractors that have continued to manipulate even though upon provocation there is no pain free range of motion. In many of these cases the person had a large herniation that ended up needing surgery. I have a hard time believing that the continued manipulation into painful range of motion was helpful in stabilizing their spine. I believe that our objective findings as well as

treatment would be more clear for the patient and the D.C.

In the end, if we change our objective assessment and treatment we would have more congruence between D.C.'s and amongst the medical community. How many times have people shown up at your office with a travel card that tells you what area needs to be treated. Kind of uncomfortable, as the doctor being told what and where to treat without examination.

I entered this site hoping to attain an understanding of misalignment/fixation, unfortunately I have not received it yet. Mostly what I have received is fear of change.

Sorry if I offended anyone, I am kind of arrogant I will admit that. However this blog has never been intended to show my arrogance. I have much more to share, unfortunately I don't know that our profession/current paradigm is ready. I'll let you return to quantum physics and "putting it back in".

Thanks,

Brad Welker, D.C.