SOUTH
SHORE FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
Monthly News - April 2010
"Am I Jeopardizing People's Health?"
Every time I refer a patient to their primary care physician, am I inadvertently threatening their future health? For the past 22 years I have always put my patients first. When anyone presents a concern that may be beyond the scope of my practice, I will always encourage them to consult with their primary care physician. Too often the patient is steered away from Chiropractic care, even though I was the one who referred them out of concern. In most cases there is no explanation provided, just “Don't go back to the Chiropractor”.
It has always perturbed me that the physician or physical therapist, with no formal chiropractic schooling or training, is looked upon as the expert on Chiropractic care. All the effort and energy expended to explain the life threatening effects of vertebral subluxation and the uniqueness of the Chiropractic profession is expunged by a few words from the physician or therapist. Often when I refer someone out I will pre-warn them. Typically I will ask the patient to have the physician or therapist explain why they should not return to Chiropractic care. This rarely happens, in fact often we never hear from the patient again until we call them to follow up on their care. This has always troubled me but I have never in the past allowed that to cloud my judgment regarding what is best for the patient.
Just recently I encouraged patient x to speak to their physician concerning a problem with their shoulder while I cared for patient x's multiple subluxations throughout the spine. Patient x subsequently was told “Don't go back to the Chiropractor”. This time a new disturbing question came to me. Did I threaten this patient's health by doing the right thing? Patient x will most likely never return to Chiropractic care. Ergo, the vertebral subluxations will continue to threaten patient x's life as the silent process of spinal degeneration ensues. Yes, patient x's shoulder will be cared for, but at a severe cost.
By doing the right thing, am I threatening people’s lives?
Dr. Bill |
