CJA Vol.34 Issue 1Editorial: Letter from America- p1 Menopause: A Case Study of Chiropractic Patients’
Information Interests - p2 Hypothyroidism: A New Model for Conservative
Management in Two Cases - p11 The Role of the Cervical Spine in Balance and Risk
of Falling in the Elderly - p19 X-Ray Dispossessed—Expedience versus Standards? -
p23 Commentary: The Quest for Better Questions: Progress or Sama Sama?
- p30 Letters to the Editors - p35 Briefly - p40 ABSTRACTS Menopause: A Case Study of Chiropractic Patients' Information Interests JENNIFER R. JAMISON Background: Menopausal women are becoming increasingly aware that recent studies have highlighted concerns about the adverse effects arising from the long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Objective: To ascertain whether patients are interested in obtaining information about HRT from chiropractic clinics. Methods: A case study of 12 Australian chiropractic clinics was undertaken. Maximum variation sampling of clinics and convenience sampling of patients resulted in a study sample of 781 patients. Patients were asked whether they would be interested in receiving health information brochures on various topics. Interested patients were provided with brochures, and follow-up phone calls were made to inquire into the impact of the health information on their lifestyle. Results: One in three patients requested brochures; 70% were female. Of these, 25% requested information on menopause and 31% on osteoporosis-related fractures. Three quarters or more of females who took a brochure on menopause and/or osteoporotic fractures were peri- or post-menopausal. Follow-up phone calls confirmed that some patients had made lifestyle changes. In a few cases these persisted for 12 or more months. Discussion: Chiropractic patients are interested in obtaining information on managing menopause and avoiding the complications of osteoporosis. Current recommendations regarding the use of HRT are summarised, and alternative approaches to managing climacteric symptoms and the declining bone mass of menopause are reviewed. Conclusions: With increasing concern about the long-term use of HRT, it is anticipated that chiropractic physicians will need to stay abreast of developments in this area. INDEX TERMS: (MeSH): CHIROPRACTIC; MENOPAUSE, ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY; OSTEOPOROSIS, MENOPAUSAL; HEALTH PROMOTION. Hypothyroidism: A New Model for Conservative Management in Two Cases PETER BABLIS and HENRY POLLARD Objective: To review the function, anatomy, physiology, development, hormone synthesis and dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Treatment options are discussed, and 2 case studies of a mind-body therapy (Neuro-Emotional Technique—NET) successfully managing hypothyroid dysfunction are presented. Data Sources: MEDLINE search using key words: thyroid, synthesis, development, anatomy, physiology, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Data Selection: Eighty-five papers fit the key words and were selected based on relevance to the topic. Papers were selected that contained relevant information on normal and abnormal thyroid function and its management. Data Extraction: Selected papers had to contain information that directly related to the diagnosis, anatomy, physiology and management of hypothyroid conditions. Papers were also selected that described a possible neurophysiological mechanism for the observed treatment effects. Data Synthesis: Objective measures of a new mind-body approach to hypothyroid dysfunction are presented, and its relevance to the biopsychosocial model is discussed. This new treatment is compared to the existing biomedical approaches to treatment. Conclusions: Thyroid dysfunction has been effectively treated with medicine for many years. This paper presents a new therapy that produced objective pre-post changes to hypothyroid dysfunction in 2 cases. This therapy may have potential in future circumstances, with further research recommended to confirm its reliability/validity. INDEX TERMS: CHIROPRACTIC; TREATMENT; BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL; PSYCHOLOGY; THYROID. The Role of the Cervical Spine in Balance and Risk of Falling in the Elderly MAX J. WALSH, BARBARA I. POLUS and MICHAEL N. WEBB Falls in the aged are a significant cause of injury and decreased quality of life. This paper reviews the common causes of falls and some possible interventions. A number of validated clinical measures to assess balance and risk of falling are discussed. It is further postulated that the cervical spine may affect balance and risk of falling due to its role in postural control. INDEX TERMS: BALANCE; FALLS; ELDERLY; CHIROPRACTIC CERVICAL SPINE; NECK. X-Ray Dispossessed-Expedience versus Standards? STANLEY P. BOLTON When licensing to use x-ray commenced in Australia in the mid-1950s, 100% of members of Australia’s first association of chiropractors qualified by recognised world standards both possessed and used x-ray equipment. Now, fewer than 22% of today’s major association of Australian chiropractors both possess and use x-ray equipment. Currently, chiropractors not possessing x-ray equipment may refer their patients to radiographers or radiologists for x-ray films. Since the introduction of x-ray use to the profession in 1910, spinography has become recognised as integral to quality spinal analysis in chiropractic practice. In Australia, chiropractors became licensed to use x-ray for spinography, as a matter of public safety and best practice, even before becoming registered health practitioners. This paper outlines the history of x-ray licensure of chiropractors in Australia and discusses its usage. The percentage of all practising chiropractors who use x-ray today is unknown, and for what purpose, is unclear. A suitably designed survey is needed to profile contemporary use of x-ray by the Australian chiropractic profession. INDEX TERMS: (MeSH): RADIOGRAPHY; AUSTRALIA; HISTORICAL ARTICLE; DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING; SPINE. (Other): SPINOGRAPHY; SPINAL ANALYSIS; SPINAL DIAGNOSIS. |
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