Chiropractors Part 1

My back has been bothering me.  I recently completed the Navy Seal Special Warfare preparatory training program which is six months long and rather intense.  Somewhere in week one the muscles in my lower back on the left side started feeling like they had been repeatedly punched. This feeling persisted despite my best efforts to stretch it out and modify the workout so not to strain that area.  7 months later, I've finally figured out why.

First I have to say that I began seeing a chiropractor at the age of 13.  As a kid I regularly had awful headaches late in the afternoon, so my mom took me to see her chiropractor.  Incidentally his last name was Spillane which being so close to spine, always made me wonder if he had changed it for the profession (he hadn't).  I just think its fun when people have last names that match up with what they choose to do in life.  That being said, he was an excellent chiropractor and after a few treatments the headaches stopped.  That was enough to sell me on their value, so I've continued to be an advocate of chiropractic care over the years, even though my regular visits have been intermittent (especially for the past 4-5 years).  However, I never hesitate to suggest to someone complaining of headaches or back pain that they may want to go for a visit.  

This suggestion is usually met with resistance from one of two fronts.  First, people express concern about it being to expensive.  In my experience the average visit is between $30 and $40.  Not terrible, especially considering the doctors copay is usually $15 - $25 followed by any medications he/she may prescribe which could be anywhere from $15 to $250.  Or more.  And what's more, those meds aren't actually fixing the problem, they are treating the symptom.  (I have to insert a note here.  I am in no way saying M.D.s don't have value.  They certainly do, and I never hesitate to see one when I think its necessary.  But you you wouldn't go see your M.D. doctor for a cavity filling.  Different problems require different specialist, and chiropractors should be part of that equation).  

The second, is concern about the qualifications of a chiropractor to treat your body.  "Did they mail off for their degree?" is a common misconception about chiropractic education.  Actually, no, chiropractic school is on par with any other medical education.  "But they aren't real doctors" is a common statement.  Are they M.D.'s? No.  But then again neither is your dentist, orthodontist, nurse practitioners, EMT's and so many others in the medical field who we regularly go to for treatments and check ups.  But if you must know, chiropractors do put in a lot of hours.  In fact, compared head to head with M.D.'s chiropractors put in more hours of class.  Here's a break down comparison.

 

Chiropractic College                     Class                    Med school

456----------------------------Anatomy/Embryology-----------------215

243--------------------------------Physiology----------------------------174

296--------------------------------Pathology------------------------------507

161--------------------------------Chemistry-----------------------------100

145-------------------------------Microbiology--------------------------113

149--------------------------------Neurology------------------------------171

271-------------------------------X-ray--------------------------------------13

66-------------------------------Psychology/Psychiatry-------------284

168------------------------------Orthopedic--------------------------------2

2,419----------------------------Total Hours-----------------------------2,047

 

Pretty impressive actually.  I found this interesting since I had never seen it broken down this way.  This doesn't address clinical hours so I can't speak to the comparison or if there is any.  I don't want this post to run on too long so I'll leave it at that.  Another post is soon to follow where I'll talk about what your spine has to do with your stomach and other organs, in addition to that knot in your lower back.

Laugh

Laugh often and laugh loud.  Laugh until you cry, on a regular basis.  Laughing has a strange relieving quality that makes you feel like a fresh breeze has just moved powerfully through your body.  Laugh without reserve.  Be quick to laugh and slow to anger, it's just a better way to live.  There's nothing quite as excellent as spending time with people who make you laugh, so do it as much as possible.  If you find yourself in the quandary of not regularly being able to spend time with these types of people then find other things that make you laugh.  Today I've rediscovered Bill Cosby on Spotify so I've been stifling laughter and tears for the better part of the day in my cubicle.  I want to laugh more because one just can't laugh too much.

Community is good for the body and soul

I love community.  I just love people in general really.  But what makes community so great is abiding in a place where not only you are with people you enjoy being around but who know you.  Not just details about your life or what you do for a living, but who you are.  I think this is hugely important to us as human beings.  To be known.  I am someone who puts a lot of intentional effort into maintaining lasting friendships.  In fact my best friend and I met in kindergarden and we just ran a Warrior Dash together last weekend (25 years later).  As an only child he's the closest thing I have to a brother and I am honored by his lasting friendship.  

Being with people by whom we are known not only makes us happier but also nourishes our bodies.  Referred to as the Roseto effect and cited in Maclolm Gladwell's book Outliers, good company has a direct and real impact on our health.  I think this is what makes television so dangerous.  I read recently that the average American spends four hours a day watching television.  Seriously?! Four hours?  How does a working individual find four hours to squander on television every day?  Unfortunately, that four hours a day is time not spent engaging the people we care about who literally enrich our life and health. 

I have much more to say on this but I'll save it for later.  In the meantime, turn of the tube, call up a friend and go live your life instead of watching someone else live theirs.

 

For your consideration...

This is a blog about attempting to live better.  Another one.  There are a plethora of these already, ranging from personal paths to hawking the newest fad suppliments.  So why bother with another one?  Because who knows, perhaps something I put forward will resonate with someone and improve their quality of life.

I'm inclined to think I already live a pretty healthy lifestyle while being a fairly well rounded individual.  I just want more.  More balance I suppose.  I'm not some new-age guru with tomes of text on living the zen life, I'm just an average guy who's health conscious about more than just food.  So, here is where I will expound my thoughts on living a richer, fulller, healthier life while trying to live out what I propose.