Two U.S. Senators have reacted immediately to a 5-month Associated Press (AP) story that has brought to light the fact that pharmaceutical drugs are present in measurable quantities in many of the water supplies of major cities in the United States. The hearings are expected to take place in early April as reports of drugs found in water supplies from Southern California in the west to New Jersey in the east have become widely known.

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), chairman of the Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and
Water Quality Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have taken the lead in calling for a full investigation. According to the AP investigation, water supplies contaminated with trace amounts of pharmaceutical drugs affect at least 41 million Americans.

The AP study surveyed the 50 largest cities in the U.S. A dozen additional major water providers were checked, as well as small providers of drinking water in all 50 states. The results showed that 24 major metropolitan areas had detectable amounts of drugs in drinking water. In addition, tests done to the watersheds of 35 major water suppliers showed 28 testing positive for pharmaceuticals.

The levels of pharmaceuticals found in water are measured in parts per billion or parts per trillion. While these amounts are far below the levels of medical uses, scientists fear that ingestion of these tiny amounts of drugs over a long period of time may pose health risks to the public. There is also concern that these small amounts may affect lower forms of cellular and animal life and ensuing alterations or accumulations may ultimately have a negative effect on people.

When the Senate investigatory committee convenes, they will specifically be looking at how and why a vast array of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, pain relievers and sex hormones are entering the water supply. For instance, the reason why 56 pharmaceuticals or drug byproducts were discovered in the city of Philadelphia’s water supply will be looked at another matter they
will investigate will be what are anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety drugs doing in the water of Southern
California residents where some 18.5 million people are being affected?

Drugs enter the water supply in various ways. One way is through waste water treatment that does not
account for drug removal. People taking medications only absorb a percentage of the drugs they take and
the remainder are excreted and sent to sewage processing. Also, people who dispose of unused medica-
tions by dumping them down a toilet and sending them to waste water treatment are contributing to the
problem. And, of course, agricultural growth hormones in cattle and other animals can contribute as well.

“Our families deserve water that is clean and safe. I am deeply concerned by the findings of this study
showing traces of drugs in the water in New Jersey and across the nation,” said Sen. Lautenburg. Sen.
Boxer added, “I call on the EPA (Environmental Projection Agency) to take whatever steps are necessary
to keep our communities safe.”

SOURCE: U.S. Senate. “Senate Subcommittee to Examine Discovery of Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications Found in the Water Supplies Nationwide.”
March 2008.

Evidence continues to mount in favor of Chiropractic intervention having the ability to bring relief from the
symptoms that have now commonly been lumped into the label of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD). This is especially evident cases when an accident or injury has occurred to a child or adult who previously showed no signs of any of the difficulties with concentration associated with ADHD.

Case in point of this study involves a child of 6 years of age, a person of any age could suffer the same lack
of concentration ability following an accident or a severe blow. This could occur through an auto mishap, a
slip-and-fall injury, sports contact or even a work-related trauma that is part of daily life. While drugs are now frequently prescribed by the medical community to handle the ensuing “attention” problems, a Chiropractic adjustment may really be all that is necessary for normal function to return.

A case discussing the events that happened to this child who struck his head while on the playground was
recently presented by an Australian-American Chiropractic group. The child was knocked unconscious by the impact and, in the months that followed, his teachers noted his concentration problems, inattentiveness and even disruptive behavior. The boy developed all of the classic symptoms so commonly labeled as ADHD. He was unable to sit still in the classroom and his grades began to plunge.

Drugs were a main part of the medical prescription for handling the boy. Unfortunately, but expectedly,
these did not bring any lasting relief or help to the child. In spite of the powerful drugs, his headaches and
neck pains persisted. Finally, 18 months after the accident, his mother brought him to a chiropractor.

It may seem remarkable, but the boy only required 3 visits to the chiropractor over a 3 week period to put
him back on the road to good health and classroom success. The diagnosis was a subluxation, a partial dislocation of the vertebrae. He continued with regular checkups and after 9 months continued to do very well.

An accident or blow which involves the head, neck and back being in pain is increasingly being documented as a trigger or aggravating factor to ADHD. This evidence and case studies such as this one can be of great value in spreading the word that drugs are not the universal solution for the handling of ADHD as has become so common in the world today. When drugs are administered, the concentration problems that are not handled can even lead to further accidents and more subluxations. Thus, the drugging solution could lead to a vicious circle that includes more injuries, more subluxations and an continued worsening of the ADHD symptoms.

However, when the symptoms of ADHD are handled through Chiropractic, tremendous benefits frequently
occur. First off, the pain and discomfort is either reduced or eliminated for the patient. Next, the relief provided to the nervous system through the correction of the subluxation are also extremely beneficial.
Concentration ability often returns quickly, and the person gets more enjoyment out of life while doing better at school or at work, whatever the case may be.

Chiropractic adjustments of the person suffering from, so called, ADHD can lead to a better overall state of
health and increased productivity without drug intervention. Again, the simple motto for handling such
ADHD issues should resound, “Say no to drug and say yes to Chiropractic!”

SOURCE: Dynamic Chiropractic. “Pain Relief. Safe Behind the Wheel.” January 2008.

The Chiropractic profession recently received some very good news from an extensive 7-year study that focused on the neck region and on neck pain. The news had to do with study findings regarding Chiropractic adjustments and stroke. This comprehensive study determined that people who visit chiropractors for a neck adjustment are no more likely to suffer a stroke than when treated by members of any other medical profession.

This long-term study was mainly conducted to find the very best information and techniques available to help patients who suffer neck pain. The aim was also to provide healthcare professionals with the very best research evidence to help diagnose, treat, manage and prevent neck pain. The research was conducted by the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders with results published in the journal Spine. A multi-national and inter-disciplinary study team included Canadian,
American, South American, Australian and European researchers.

As part of its research initiative, the team launched a study into the association between Chiropractic care of the neck and stroke. This was a particularly important piece of research as chiropractors in several states have come under attack from groups who are running media and Internet campaigns suggesting that Chiropractic is dangerous and that adjustments can cause stokes.

The innovative piece of research that was recently concluded found that patients who visit a chiropractor are no more likely to experience a stroke than are patients who visit their family physician. The type of stroke in question generally begins with a headache or with neck pain. This causes the patient to seek care from a chiropractor or a family physician to obtain relief. Generally, this office visit occurs before a stroke fully develops.

“This type of stroke is extremely rare and has been known to occur spontaneously or after ordinary neck movements such as looking up at the sky or over the shoulder when backing a car,” said the lead author of the study Dr. David Cassidy, professor of epidemiology at the University of Toronto and senior scientist at the University of Health Network at Toronto Western Hospital.

This study provides excellent news and ammunition for chiropractors and Chiropractic organizations who have become the target of attacks from special interest groups who are suggesting that Chiropractic is dangerous and that Chiropractic adjustments cause strokes.

According to this landmark study, this is just not true, and chiropractors and Chiropractic patients can use the information from this research to learn about and to demonstrate the safety of Chiropractic adjustments.

SOURCE: Bone and Joint Decade Task Force. Press Release, “Seven-Year Neck Pain Study Sheds Light on Best Care,” February 2008.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that causes the disruption
of communication between the brain and other parts of the body. It is a disease that can vary in degrees of debilitation, including numbness, tingling, blurred vision, tremors, loss of balance and muscle
weakness. In its most advanced forms it can lead to permanent disability with a person being unable to
write, speak or walk.

Many types of treatments have been tried over the years to help victims of MS. While there is no
known cure for the disease, a specialized type of Acupuncture referred to as Scalp Acupuncture has been
shown to provide success in the treatment of MS and some other central nerve system damages as well.
Scalp Acupuncture is a modern Acupuncture technique that came into existence in 1971 which uses traditional needling methods in combination with western medical knowledge.

Although other types of Acupuncture administered to the body, ear or hands have provided some
help, Scalp Acupuncture seems to be the more effective model in bringing about quicker and more immediate improvements to the MS victim.

A recent investigation was conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Southwest Rehabilitation Hospital and National Healthcare Center. In this study, 16 patients with limb pain were treated with Scalp Acupuncture. After only one treatment per patient, eight of the 16 patients instantly showed significant improvement. Another six patients showed some improvement and only two patients showed no improvement. This meant an effective improvement rate of 87 percent was achieved.

As a case in point, one 52-year-old woman diagnosed with MS in August 2007 was suffering from
headaches, severe burning and stabbing pain throughout her body and could not stand still if her eyes
were closed. Neither could she stand on one leg, turn around or walk from toe to heel, among other
symptoms. Prescribed medications had provided very little change.

This woman received Scalp Acupuncture and quickly began to feel the sensations of energy moving down her lower back followed by sensations of heat in her feet. Just three minutes later, the stabbing pains and burning sensation diminished, and after 12 minutes, these stabbing and burning symptoms were almost completely gone. She could now stand comfortably with her eyes closed, and she was also able to stand on one leg and walk from toe to heel. She was soon telling people she felt like a “normal person” after only one Scalp Acupuncture treatment.

In another case, a 55-year-old woman in a wheel chair received treatment. Her condition had begun in
the early 1990s and progressed to an MS diagnosis in 2002. She went through various stages of weakness in her legs during this time and eventually her condition worsened toward paralysis of parts of her body.
Before receiving her Acupuncture treatment, she was examined and it was found that she could not stand
up unassisted due to muscle weakness, was unable to lift her right foot and she had to drag it behind her if attempting to walk.

Treatment involved 4 needles inserted into her scalp. Soon she experienced some tingling and electrical sensations in both of her legs. Five minutes later she felt the urge to move both legs.
After exercising her legs by bending and extending them, she was able to stand up straight and walk.
Although it took a lot of effort, she was amazed to be able to walk. At first she needed two people to
assist her, then only one person, and finally she was able to walk by herself.

Scalp Acupuncture has been demonstrated to be an accessible, cost-effective and safer way of treating
MS than many other methods. It is a treatment approach that can both slow the onset of the disease and
reverse the physical disabilities it causes. More study is called for, but these cases show that Scalp
Acupuncture can achieve positive results.

SOURCE: The National Center for Health Statistics of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Press Release. “U.S.Life Expectancy Hits New High of Nearly 78 Years.” February 2008.

A nationally known television celebrity was in the news recently raving about the results of a Chiropractic adjustment that has drastically changed his life for the better. The celebrity, Montel Williams, is a nationally known TV host who has been suffering from the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for many years. In 1999 he went public with the fact that he was a victim of the disease and since has become a spokesman and advocate for people with MS and MS issues.

On a recent Montel Williams Show, he presented some very interesting information about a Chiropractic cervical adjustment he’d experienced only 12 days before. It was obvious to all of his viewers that the Chiropractic work had gone very well and that his life was immediately changed by the results.

Here is what Montel said on the show regarding his condition and his treatment success:“I’m not certain because I haven’t done the scientific research on it to know if this can work for everybody else out there, but I want to tell you I suffer from MS. I have extreme neuralgic pain in the lower extremities; I’m in pain 24 hours a day seven days a week, 365 days a year, and then I go to see this doctor (Dr. Patrick Kerr D.C.). I’ve had pain in my feet. I’ve struggled with my balance, so Dr. Erica (Schwartz, an M.D. and patient advocate who appeared on the show) sent me to see (Dr. Kerr) 12 days ago.

“There’s not a person that knows me who will not confirm this, if you just ask them, everybody who sees me. I am walking differently, my pain is less, I have already regained strength in my left leg, my left leg has dropped because I found out that my pelvis was tilted, it’s dropped back down, they are now the same length. It’s the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me.”

Dr. Kerr has his practice in New York City. He is a graduate of Life Chiropractic College. “The goal of all Chiropractic care is to reduce pressure on the nerves, thereby allowing the body to function normally – without pain,” Dr. Kerr said during the broadcast.

It’s going to be most interesting to learn more about Montel’s condition and his continued developments during the next several months. He will likely continue on his path of improvement and recovery from his condition for some time. It will also be interesting to see if the symptoms of his MS continue to abate and if, in reality, he truly had MS or simply a cervical subluxation (partial dislocation of a vertebra in the neck region) that was indeed the cause of his long-term condition.

SOURCE: Chiropractic News. Press Release. “Montel Williams Gives Upper Cervical Chiropractic Testimonial.” February 2008.

Automobile drivers in the United States are involved in over 5 million auto accidents each year. As a result, over 2 million people annually suffer from some form of injury as a result of the crash. Whiplash is the most common injury received by an accident victim.

A history of disappointing results in the treatment of whiplash patients throughout the medical profession has lead researchers to further investigate the benefits of Chiropractic in victim care. The study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine points out the superiority of Chiropractic care for whiplash patients and examines the type of injuries which might best respond.

Whiplash injury involves the sudden movement of the head in any direction. The result is that muscles and ligaments supporting the spine can become strained or torn. Some symptoms include neck pain or stiffness, pain between the shoulder blades, blurred vision, fatigue, headache, and dizziness, just to name a few.

This study was designed to determine which patients with chronic whiplash could benefit from Chiropractic intervention. One hundred Chiropractic referrals for chronic whiplash symptoms formed the study groups.

Group 1 members were those with radiating neck pain and restricted neck movement but no apparent nerve damage. Group 2 had symptoms of nerve damage associated with neck pain and restricted motion. Group 3 members had severe neck pain and restricted motion, plus had more serious symptoms including blackouts, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain.

Each person received an average of 19 treatments over a 4 month period. Excellent improvements were seen in the first two groups. In Group 1, 72% of the patients gained “some benefit” with symptoms disappearing completely for 24%. Group 2 had 94% responding positively with symptoms disappearing completely for 38%. Only Group 3, the group with the most severe whiplash problems, showed only 27% improvement.

Researchers concluded that Chiropractic provided superior care in treating whiplash patients. “The results from this study provide further evidence that Chiropractic is an effective treatment for chronic whiplash symptoms,” the researchers said. Pointing to the results in Group 3, they emphasized that a careful history and physical exam be done on all patients before treatment is commenced.

Source: Dynamic Chiropractic http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/18/01/19.html

A recent study was performed to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic for the treatment of reducing symptoms associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

The subjects were given an initial medical screening by a qualified medical practitioner as well as a full physical chiropractic examination. Spinal dysfunction and subluxations were identified using
standard techniques.

All of the treatments were rendered by one of two experienced, qualified chiropractors, with each woman being treated by the same chiropractor throughout the study.

Treatment was given two or three times within the ten-day period prior to the commencement of each menses. This was continued for a minimum of three cycles, during which time the subjects recorded their symptoms daily.

At the end of the treatment program, all of the women had indicated that their PMS symptoms had improved overall while under chiropractic care and they considered chiropractic an appropriate method of treatment.

SOURCE: Walsh, M.J., Polus, P.I., The Efficacy of Chiropractic Therapy on Premenstrual
Syndrome: A Case Series Study, Chiropractic Journal of Australia, Vol. 24, No. 4.

Three recent studies examined the efficacy of Chiropractic in the management of migraine and tension-type headaches.

The first study tested 218 patients who were randomly assigned to a Chiropractic group, an anti-depressant group, or a group receiving a combination of both treatments.

The groups received their respective treatments for a period of eight weeks. Progress was measured using the headache diary, which measures frequency and intensity of the headache, as well as any over-the-counter medication that is used and is documented daily by the patient.

Chiropractic treatment induced a 40% reduction in pain and minimal side effects. 58% of participants in the other groups reported greater side effects, which caused 10% to drop out of the study.

The second study was a three-phase study over a 12-month period. 32 patients participated and showed statistically significant improvement in decreased migraine frequency, intensity, disability and medication use.

The third study was a randomized, controlled trial of 83 participants who received 16 treatments over a two-month period. The group reported a 90% reduction in migraines and 49% in the morbidity of each episode

As studies continue, there is mounting evidence of the effectiveness of manipulation in the treatment of patients with chronic headaches.

SOURCE: “Rehab Literature Review: Chiropractic Treatment and Migraine, www.chiroaccess.com.

According to a study, recently published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Chiropractic is effective in treating infantile colic.

What Causes Colic?

During birth, nerves controlling the digestive system are twisted, which cause gas, bloating and pain. Pressure applied to the vertebrae during an adjustment, restores and aligns these nerves, which relaxes the muscles and alleviates the symptoms.

Chiropractic More Effective Than Dimethicone

With Chiropractic adjustments, the infants were crying less than the infants who were treated with the drug dimethicone. The number of hours crying were reduced by more than double. Elliott Grusky, D.C., a Miami Chiropractor specializing in Pediatrics, said infants as young as two weeks old can be treated with Chiropractic care.

3-5 spinal adjustments over a several week period are usually needed to relieve the colic.

SOURCE: Parents, June 2000, p. 72.

A 2003 study published by the British Medical Journal assessed the cost effectiveness of Chiropractic with other modes of treatment. 183 patients who suffered with neck pain for a two-week period participated in the study. The patients, aged 18 to 70-years-old, were divided into three groups. 60 patients
received Chiropractic adjustments; 59 received physiotherapy and 64 were treated by a general practitioner.

After seven weeks, more patients in the Chiropractic group reported “complete recovery” than patients in either of the other groups — 68% recovered in the Chiropractic group; 51% recovered in the physiotherapy group, and only 36% in the general practitioner group recovered.

Chiropractic Costs Less Than Other Treatment Options

Six months after the study concluded, researchers found that treatments costs were also significantly lower for patients who received Chiropractic care. Chiropractic care cost one-third less than the other two
treatments — $402; care from the general practitioner cost $1,241 and Physiotherapy cost $1,167.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, April 26, 2003; To Your Health Newsletter, November 4, 2003.