Dynamic Chiropractic

This engaging article, "How DCs Can Help the Population Achieve Cardiovascular Health (Pt. 1)," highlights a concerning reversal in the progress made against cardiovascular disease. Despite significant efforts by the American Heart Association (AHA) over decades, including substantial research funding, heart disease remains the leading cause of death. The author, Dr. Jeffrey Tucker, argues that medical doctors and the public need the help of Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) in addressing this critical issue.

A central point is that heart disease often stems from compromised endothelial capacity to produce nitric oxide, largely due to poor food and lifestyle choices, not just genes or stress. The article emphasizes the importance of diet, particularly the consumption of dark-green leafy vegetables, garlic, citrus fruits, pomegranate, watermelon, nuts, and seeds, as these foods can boost nitric oxide production and bioavailability. Dr. Tucker also stresses the significance of hydration. He suggests that DCs can play a vital role in early detection and in aggressively treating patients at risk by focusing on these root causes, offering a perspective beyond standard medical interventions like drugs, stents, and bypass operations. The author will share more talking points in part 2 of the article.

The article "Stationary Bike Riding for Management of Parkinson’s Disease" highlights the potential of variable-tempo recumbent bicycle training as a safe and effective way to improve motor function in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting nearly 1 million Americans and incurring substantial annual costs. While conventional medical treatments offer symptom relief, they do not alter the disease's progression. Emerging evidence suggests that exercise, particularly tempo-driven cycling, can be a valuable adjunct to traditional therapies.

Interestingly, the discovery of this benefit was serendipitous, originating from a tandem bike ride where a PD patient experienced symptom improvement due to the faster cadence of the other rider. Subsequent studies on "forced exercise," involving cycling at a higher, variable cadence, demonstrated significant reductions (up to 35%) in PD motor symptoms compared to self-selected cadence exercise. This high-cadence cycling may strengthen neural pathways and trigger the release of neurotrophic factors. The benefits of such cycling routines, involving intervals of high and low cadence, may also extend to improving reaction time and agility in healthy older adults. The article provides practical guidance for incorporating variable-tempo cycling using recumbent bikes, even suggesting tandem cycling for those with advanced PD. Current research underscores the complexity of PD and the potential of well-designed exercise programs to benefit nearly everyone affected.

Posture is experiencing a surge in interest within healthcare, not just for its long-recognized role in musculoskeletal health but also for its potential links to longevity and even cognitive brain function. While researchers explore these connections, clinicians are witnessing the detrimental effects of poor posture on pain, degeneration, and movement. Posture, our body's way of maintaining balance, is largely an automatic process influenced by various factors, with ideal posture requiring minimal energy and proper spinal alignment.

Poor posture often stems from sedentary lifestyles and the repetitive positions adopted when using electronic devices. Interestingly, common aids like braces and reminders often fail because posture is a subconscious activity. The article highlights the critical role of the feet as our primary interface with the ground, providing essential sensory information that influences postural muscles. Asymmetrical foundations in the feet, common in most people, can lead to compensatory muscle recruitment and inefficient movement patterns. Custom orthotics can address these imbalances, stimulating foot receptors to improve muscle activation and create a neurological basis for better posture and gait. Without this foundation, exercises may be less effective. The article suggests that chiropractors are well-positioned to guide patients towards lasting, neurologically-driven improvements in posture.

This engaging article, "How DCs Can Help the Population Achieve Cardiovascular Health (Pt. 1)," highlights a concerning reversal in the progress made against cardiovascular disease. Despite significant efforts by the American Heart Association (AHA) over decades, including substantial research funding, heart disease remains the leading cause of death. The author, Dr. Jeffrey Tucker, argues that medical doctors and the public need the help of Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) in addressing this critical issue.

A central point is that heart disease often stems from compromised endothelial capacity to produce nitric oxide, largely due to poor food and lifestyle choices, not just genes or stress. The article emphasizes the importance of diet, particularly the consumption of dark-green leafy vegetables, garlic, citrus fruits, pomegranate, watermelon, nuts, and seeds, as these foods can boost nitric oxide production and bioavailability. Dr. Tucker also stresses the significance of hydration. He suggests that DCs can play a vital role in early detection and in aggressively treating patients at risk by focusing on these root causes, offering a perspective beyond standard medical interventions like drugs, stents, and bypass operations. The author will share more talking points in part 2 of the article.

The article from Dynamic Chiropractic delves into a contentious issue: the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) collaboration with non-accredited chiropractic practitioners in Japan. These individuals, associated with the Zenkenkai group, receive a brief training from Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) and operate as "chiropractic therapists" in Japan. This partnership has ignited frustration and concern among US Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs), who view it as a threat to the profession's integrity and public safety.

The ACA's move to recognize these Zenkenkai/JCA members as international members, granting them access to resources and using the ACA logo, was seen by some as an attempt to counter declining membership. Although the ACA has since ended its organizational membership with the JCA, it will continue to serve individual members in Japan. The article raises the alarm that this situation could pave the way for a similar, less rigorously trained "chiropractic therapist" profession in the United States. This could lead to significant shifts in the healthcare landscape, potentially benefiting entities like third-party payers and hospitals while negatively impacting DCs and chiropractic colleges. The author emphasizes the financial power of the Zenkenkai and their potential influence on the ACA. Ultimately, the article urges DCs to actively oppose these developments to protect the future of the chiropractic profession.