Getting these podcasts out is becoming energizing and addicting. This process has caused me to reexamine my opinions and attitudes about a great many things.
I'm pretty willing to dish out criticism of individuals and treatment paradigms that don't seem to be in sync with common sense or science-based clinical reasoning. However I've come to realize that the only thing keeping me from being "just another jerk with a microphone", is the ability to get my facts straight before banging that drum.
Episode two gives me another opportunity to reexamine my attitudes toward the chiropractic profession. This is my first interview, and I was fortunate to land a very good one in the form of a conversation with Allen Botnick, DC. For those of you who are not familiar with Allen, let me give you a little background.
Allen graduated from Life University College of Chiropractic back in 1996. After a disappointing experience in the profession, Allen has dedicated his life to educating individuals about the facts and fallacies of chiropractic. He has placed particular emphasis on the challenges facing the chiropractic educational system and frequent indoctrination that occurs within the profession. He has an internet forum known as ChiroTalk devoted to this cause, and his experiences with the education and training of chiropractors are well documented.
Allen has since left the profession but remains active within the field of movement science. He is currently working on a biomechanical approach to chest stabilization. The following is an excerpt from his project:
Proper vertebral movement has been linked to proper posture, appropriate back range of motion and improved mobility. Spinal mobilization has been a treatment technique utilized in physical therapy clinics, chiropractors offices and osteopathic physicians practices for years. Often, the ability to mobilize the spine, is completed in the office while the patients continue to “need adjustments” in between their visits. If utilized independently by patients at home on their own, the chest stabilization product could be an enhancement to a full spinal manipulation done by a professional in the clinic. With rising co-payments and decreasing access to therapy and chiropractic healthcare benefits, patients will be more apt to try home devices that are issued under the direction of a licensed professional.
With co-payments reaching $20-40/visit levels, the estimated price of $150.00 pays for itself with only a few trips to the therapist, doctor or chiropractor.
The inventor of this product, Allen Botnick DC, used it to cure himself of chronic asthma that he had since childhood. After six weeks of use the asthma changed to cough variant asthma and completely resolved using mineral supplementation, omega 3 fat and an anti-inflammatory diet. In addition to asthma, it is expected that this approach may prove to be an effective treatment for idiopathic costochondritis. Dr. Botnick seeks business partners for funding and research collaboration. A pilot test in pediatric asthma is scheduled. For more information please contact him at aljbotnick@yahoo.com.
After completing the interview and reviewing the podcast, my core beliefs regarding chiropractic are essentially unchanged. They have a big hill to climb and time is quickly running out on them. However, I believe it is equally important to make sure we understand the current state of chiropractic if we are to effectively counsel our colleagues and patients. Labeling them as "quacks" may be an efficient way to dismiss a patient's curiosity, but it may not be the most productive approach.
My challenge to you is to visit forums like ChiroTalk and websites such as ChiroBase to make sure you keep an informed opinion about the field of chiropractic. Chiropractors are not going away, and many are well meaning providers trying to pull out of the professional nosedive. The more we understand their role within the field of movement science, the sooner we can all move forward and continue to elevate our standards of care.
Until next time, keep moving and don't stop learning!
