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In TouchVol. 4, No. 5 May 2000 ISSN 1525-416X "Many poor people must have owed their lives to the fact that they could not afford medical care." - Thomas Sydenham Migraines Respond To Chiropractic CareAn Australian study published in the February, 2000 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapuetics found that migraine headache patients experienced significant relief under chiropractic care. Over a six month period, 83 people with clinically diagnosed migraines kept headache diaries for a two month period before beginning chiropractic care, during a two month-long period of chiropractic adjustments and during a two month period after care ended. 40 people were placed in a control group that received no chiropractic care. In general, the participants in the study reported a significant decrease in the frequency, duration, disability and amount of medicine they used compared with people in the control group who did not receive chiropractic care. 50% of the participants receiving chiropractic care reported significant improvement in the morbidity (sickness) level of their migraines. 22% of the participants reported more than a 90% reduction of their migraines as a result of the adjustments. By way of commentary, a March 2, 2000 report from the National Headache Foundation says that 12% of the public suffers from migraine headaches. This figure represents approximately 30 million people. Using the numbers from this study, approximately 6.6 million (22%) of these people could reduce the occurence of their migraines by 90% if they got under chiropractic care. Another 15 million could report significant improvement. Talk about making the world a better place to live! This study is a good example of how chiropractic care plays a vital role in restoring a patient's health. When a chiropractor removes interference to the nervous system by adjusting the spine, health is restored and the body is in a better position to heal itself. Researchers: Doctors Should Stop Routine EpisiotomiesIf anyone you know is having a baby sometime soon, be aware that researchers Dr. Erica Eason and Dr. Perle Feldman report in the April, 2000 issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology that there is no evidence to support the use of routine episiotomies during medical deliveries and that doctors should discontinue the practice. Episiotomies involve cutting the muscles between the vagina and anus during the delivery process, supposedly to make the birth process easier for both mother and baby. This study, however, found that there are no advantages to continue using it. According to the researchers, "it is clear that episiotomy is a major contributor to trauma, pain, and suffering." Doctors have always thought that babies born without having episiotomies were at a higher risk for brain damage but the authors report that no studies have found any neurological function differences between babies whose mothers had the procedure and those who have not. Doctors also thought that episiotomies helped prevent damage to the mother's pelvic muscles. Not only did the authors find there were no studies to support this notion, but women who had episiotomies had more problems after birth with incontinence from weak pelvic muscles. So, why do doctors continue to do procedures that have no research evidence to support the use? Drs. Eason and Feldman say it's because they feel (against all of the evidence) that cutting the muscles is helpful and they believe they should be doing something during the birth. While the procedure does speed up the process somewhat, the authors say "We certainly would not wish to threaten the well being of our patients for our own momentary convenience. If a routine intervention is neither good for infants nor good for women, the fact that it is sometimes good for [obstetricians] should be acknowledged and put in its proper perspective."
Autism Linked To MMR VaccineA report published in the March/April 2000 issue of the Medical Sentinel links the recent increase in autism to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) combination vaccine that is commonly given to 18 month-old children. In a previous study of autistic children, researchers found that 84% of autistic children had antibodies against their own brain tissue, which indicates that their own immune system was destroying brain tissue. This antibody is very similar to the antibody that's formed against the MMR vaccine. Also, the MMR antibody was found in 59% of autistic children but in only 10% of normal children. By way of commentary, vaccines can be dangerous. Along with autism, they have also been linked with an increase in the number of cases of asthma and diabetes. If you do choose to vaccinate, you should make yourself aware of the dangers and complications so that you can make a fully informed, educated decision.
Congress Panel: US Military Should Suspend Anthrax VaccinationsA congressional report on February 17, 2000 recommended that the U.S. military suspend compulsory anthrax vaccinations after numerous reports of adverse reactions and troops refusing to be vaccinated. The report says that the military acted too fast with the program being a result of "post-Gulf War panic" that produced "an unmanageably broad military undertaking built on a dangerously narrow scientific and medical foundation." There have been 620 reports of adverse reactions to the vaccination. It's not clear how much support the report would have in congress because it was not a bipartisan report. By way of commentary, we can't support or stomach politicians who would sacrifice the health and safety of the people who serve in the armed forces for partisan political purposes. Perhaps Mark Twain said it best: "... Suppose you were an idiot ... And suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself..."
Copyright 2000 In Touch Newsletters P.O. Box 2353 Peachtree City, GA 30269
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©2001 Virginia Institute of Chiropractic
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