Chiropractor Struck off General Chiropractic Council's Register

Peter Proud, who practices at Norton Road, Stourbridge in the West Midlands, was struck off the GCC's Register of Chiropractors by the GCC's Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) with effect from 19th February 2007, subject to any appeal.

This is the first time that the PCC has considered it necessary, for the protection of the public and to uphold the reputation of the profession, to remove a chiropractor's name from the Register.

The PCC found Peter Proud guilty of unacceptable professional conduct on 19th January 2007, following a five day hearing. Evidence was heard about five heads of complaint, involving multiple allegations that his conduct fell short of the standard required of a chiropractor, contrary to the GCC's Standard of Proficiency and Code of Practice.

The complaints related to the treatment of four patients, including a child and her mother. The fifth complaint related to an advertisement which the PCC considered misled the public by implying that Peter Proud was a registered medical practitioner.

In particular:
• Mr Proud subjected patients to various forms of pressure and asserted undue influence to persuade them to accept the recommended investigations and/or treatment
• Exaggerated the seriousness of patients' conditions, thereby misleading them in a manner that amounted to dishonesty
• Examinations, clinical assessments and further investigations were inadequate and superficial and inadequately recorded
• There was unjustified use of ionising radiation with the potential to jeopardise patient health and contrary to health and safety regulations (IRMER)

BCA Backs Anti Size Zero Campaign

With this being London Fashion Week (12th -16th February) the 'Size Zero' debate continues to rage, and the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) is urging those tempted to shed the pounds to consider the long term damages of being too thin for your own skin.

Possibly the most extreme celebrity diet to date, 'size zero' has already caused controversy and uproar from across the pond and it looks as if it is set to continue in Britain as more and more young girls aspire to look like human lollipops as demonstrated by the likes of Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham. For these the thought of having a waist smaller than 23 inches is a goal but the British Chiropractic Association is urging these impressionable girls to wake up to the realities and to see the extent of the long term damage caused by extreme skinniness.

Rishi Loatey from the British Chiropractic Association explains: ‘About 40-50% of a female's body weight is made up of muscle therefore going on these extreme diets not only causes you to loose frightening amounts of weight but in doing so you are also losing significant amounts of muscle,’ He continues: ‘Losing muscle mass means the support in vital areas such as the neck may not be enough to hold heavier structures like the head. This can potentially result in changes to posture such as forcing you to hold your head forward which causes the head to feel heavier, putting extra strain on the neck muscles, this can be linked to a number of long term problems such as headaches. In extreme cases significant weight loss can lead to loss of bone density (osteoporosis) and can cause changes to the menstrual cycle as well.’

So as more and more lollipop figured models take to the catwalks this week it
isn’t just their hair and make up they should be worrying about but the
seriousness of what their weight is doing to them internally and the long term
damages that could arise consequently.

For more information, or to find details of your nearest BCA chiropractor, visit
http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk or call the BCA on 0118 950 59500

Chiropractic for Arthritis

The word Arthritis means inflammation of the joint. Arthritis can affect a person at any age. Sometimes the symptoms of arthritis are called rheumatism. Eight classes of arthritis and related conditions have been identified. These are:

Inflammatory - the membrane of the joint becomes irritated
Attachment Arthritis - frequently in the heels and lower back, the ligament or tendon fastened to the bone becomes irritated
Crystal Arthritis - the big toe has deposits of microscopic crystals of sodium urate
Joint Infection - bacteria contaminate the fluid inside the joint, usually found in the hip, shoulder and knee
Cartilage Degeneration - usually found in the knees, neck, lower back, hips and fingers, this type of arthritis arises when the cartilage of the joint breaks down
Muscle Inflammation - muscle tissue becomes inflamed
Local Conditions - a local injury causes pain, such as tennis elbow
General Conditions - a condition characterised by generalised muscle pain and sleep disturbance.

Chiropractic is a remedial system that centers on the structure of the body. Daniel David Palmer gave the first chiropractic treatment in 1895. He derived the name chiropractic from the Greek Cheir meaning hand, and Praktikos meaning practice or perform. Treatment is adapted to suit the age, build, pain levels and general health of the individual. Treatment schedules depend on whether your problem is acute or chronic, and on your age and general health.

The chiropractic treatment for arthritis depends on whether the practitioner is a straight or mixed chiropractor. The body is permitted to cure itself by straight chiropractors, who treat arthritis by working with the spine to correct subluxation and other imbalances. The mixed chiropractor will probably treat arthritis and other remedies such as acpupressure mixed with manipulation.

X-rays of many people in their 20's show that arthritis is not just an old age thing. Chiropractor Dr. Lynn Kelly has identified the number one cause of arthritis as being joints that aren't moving properly because of misalignments of the bones that form them. Your spine is a group of cylinder-shaped bones with knobs on the backs and side of each bone that fit into grooves in the neighboring vertebra, and a chiropractor can evaluate these joints for you.

Chiropractic adjustments are painless for most patients. Tiny pockets of gas are relieved from the joints when your vertebrae are adjusted, making a ‘popping’ noise. Dozens of research studies have recognised the safety and helpfulness of chiropractic care. Chiropractors are also taught to identify when damage is outside of their scope of practice and will refer patients to the proper medical specialist if needed.

The small joints of the body can be damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, as with any joint in the body. One in five to one in three patients with RA have spinal involvement. If you're an RA patient with spinal involvement, you should not have chiropractic manipulation done, as it can cause your spinal instability to worsen.

by: Adam O'Connor
http://www.backhealthpro.com

AECC 'Dash Back' 2006

Sunday 5th November saw the sun shine down on nearly 200 runners, joggers and walkers dashing along the seafront in the name of chiropractic. The ‘Dash Back’ 5k and 10k run was organised by Anglo European Chiropractic College (AECC) Clinic Manager, Zoë Hayne and Marketing Assistant, Sacha Billett with the assistance of many other staff and students to help raise funds for the proposed building of a new training clinic.

Haymo Thiel, Head of Clinic said, ‘the current training clinic provides around 50,000 patient treatments a year but was not built for this purpose. We need a new clinic building to cater for both the growth in student and patient numbers, and to continue to be at the forefront of excellent chiropractic treatment.'

Many of the chiropractic students took part including, Tom Waller who ran the whole10k in full army fatigues including boots, 22lb webbing and 40 lb Burgan to raise awareness of the British Legion Poppy Appeal, as well as to support his college.

Principal Ken Vall, who also took part in the race said, ‘the DASH BACK embraces the college’s and chiropractic’s ethos of keeping fit and healthy as well as being great fun and we are looking forward to doing it again next year!’ 

'Many of the runners were also able to enjoy a post race deep tissue massage provided by our student interns, for many runners this was their first experience of the college and we hope that they will return again next year! If you took part please feel free to pass on your comments to racesecretary@aecc.ac.uk as we would like to make it even better next year.'

Web: http://www.aecc.ac.uk

World Spine Day

World Spine day, at the end of October, was part of the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) Action Week.

The Bone and Joint Decade is a massive international, multi-disciplinary initiative to improve the health-related quality of life for people with musculoskeletal conditions and is active between 2000 and 2010.

‘The British Chiropractic Association shares the BJD's objectives to raise understanding, awareness and cooperation in tackling the problems of musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain. To mark World Spine Day we have talked to our members to examine which occupations seem to be causing their patients to seek treatment for back pain.’

The increase in office-based jobs (where people remain seated for large parts of the day) along with a lack of exericse and a sedentary lifestyle outside of work, is clearly becoming an all too common recipe for back pain.

Chiropractors can not only safely and effectively treat back pain, but also provide a package of care including exercises and practical lifestyle advice to help prevent the reoccurrance of the problem.

'The British Chiropractic Association is proud to be a member organisation of ARMA, the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, a UK based umbrella association for support groups, professional bodies and research organisations in the field of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.'

ARMA is also the UK National Action Network for the BJD, sharing BJD's objectives

http://www.boneandjointdecade.org

BCA Chiropractic Awareness Week is from 16th to 22nd April 2007.

Web: http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk

The chiropractic profession in the USA is celebrating its 111th year of service to the public. A new and innovative approach to health and healing, the practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the structures of the human body, primarily the spine, and function as coordinated by the nervous system, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractic, a drugless and non-surgical science and practice, is also based on the understanding that the human body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism. Chiropractic recognises that the capacity exists to enhance the healing process by removing barriers to the body's innate abilities of self-comprehension and repair.

Through manual adjustments of the segments of the spine to remove nerve interference, doctors of chiropractic seek to restore normal bodily functions to allow the body to heal itself. What in 1895 was considered an attack on the orthodox medical industry of the era is now a concept so credible that widely recognized names like Drs. Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra base the core premise of their best-selling books and tapes on this healing model.

Chiropractic's famous first adjustment is recognised each year on Founder's Day, commemorating September 18th, 1895, when Dr. Daniel David Palmer administered his initial specific chiropractic adjustment on Harvey Lillard in Davenport, Iowa. Dr. D.D. Palmer delivered the first chiropractic adjustment with the specific intent of realigning a malpositioned vertebra, restoring its normal position, in an attempt to restore a hearing defect. That attempt, as the world now knows, was successful.

From an innovative scientific concept, the science and practice of chiropractic rapidly gained official status through the legislatures of the various states under the authorities reserved to the states in the U.S. Constitution to 'regulate the professions and the trades.' The legal development of chiropractic began shortly after the initial articulation of chiropractic principles and, by the 1920s, chiropractic was well on the way to formal legal recognition and regulation through licensure in numerous states.

The first law passed by a state legislature authorising and regulating the practice of chiropractic as a separate and distinct health care profession was in Kansas on March 20, 1913. This action was followed in quick succession by the legislature of North Dakota in that same year, and by Arkansas, Oregon, Nebraska and Colorado, by 1915. This represented the beginning of a recognition process that was completed in 1974 when Louisiana finally adopted a chiropractic licensure law. This steady official embrace of chiropractic is one of the most profound and historic health care success stories of modern times.

Chiropractic would not have been successful in attaining official licensed professional status if it were not for the tremendous support it received from the public. Throughout its history, the chiropractic profession has provided clinically effective, cost-effective and safe care to millions of patients worldwide, and earned the highest patient satisfaction levels of any doctor-level health care science. Every day in the United States alone, more than one million consumers of all ages, from newborn infants to the most senior of our citizens seek the care of a doctor of chiropractic.

Chiropractic, which was once considered experimental, unorthodox or 'alternative' health care, has now become a vital part of the main stream of health care. 'Doctors of chiropractic worldwide have every reason to be proud of our profession and the unique contributions chiropractic science continues to make to the lives of millions,' said ICA President Dr. John Maltby.

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is also celebrating its 80th Anniversary in 2006. Founded in 1926 in Davenport, Iowa by Dr. B J Palmer who served as ICA president until his death in 1961, ICA is the world's oldest continuously functioning international chiropractic professional organisation.
Dedicated to the growth and development of the chiropractic profession based on its fundamental principles and philosophy, ICA has worked worldwide to build the chiropractic profession, always remaining true to the principles and philosophy on which it was founded, and fighting to preserve its unique identity as a separate, distinct and drugless health care profession.

ICA 's service and leadership in the profession is a matter of record as noted by well-known chiropractic historian, Russell Gibbons who wrote in 1996:

‘The story of ICA's maintenance of principle and scope of practice, its growing and systemic efforts through the legislative process and its influence upon opinion makers is a remarkable account. For with minimum resources, ICA created an effective lobby for chiropractic and pioneered the concept of public relations, which eventually was to change the perception of millions of Americans toward chiropractic as a legitimate and respectable health care alternative.'

ICA, now with members in all fifty of the United States, all Provinces of Canada and 41 other nations, remains committed to the global expansion of the science and practice of chiropractic, and to making the unique healing powers of chiropractic accessible to every citizen of the world. For more information visit the ICA website at http://www.chiropractic.org or call 800-423-4690 or 703-528-5000.

Feather & Black's Diagnostic Mattress

Sleep specialist Feather & Black diagnostic mattress was reated in conjunction with the British Chiropractic Association and the University of Surrey Sleep Centre and claims to 'measures you and your partner for your perfect sleep tension' - i.e. the mattress spring tension at which you each have a 'neutral spine position' which is recognised to be the best for sound and comfortable sleep. A bespoke mattress is then created to these requirements with each side designed to your individual needs.

'This is streets ahead of the hard/soft options available on the high street where even if you find something you can both live with it is guaranteed that one or both of you will have to compromise. If either is uncomfortable at night this will lead to disrupted and less effective sleep and the uncomfortable party will in turn inevitably disturb the other as well,' says the company.

This is a real 'designer' service but Feather & Black charges nothing for it. Simply the cost of the resultant mattress - which starts from just £500 for a double, a very small price to pay for improved sleep and its multitude of benefits.

Feather & Black has 30 stores across the country (and growing). For local listings see http://www.featherandblack.com or call 01243 380 600.

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) and The Drinkaware Trust has released new figures on alcohol-induced injuries.

* 22% of those questioned have injured themselves whilst drunk
* BCA chiropractors see 2,4002 patients per month with injuries sustained whilst under the influence of alcohol
* 38% of people drink to excess at least once a week and 21% drink to excess a 'few times' a week
* 1 in 5 people who have visited a medical practitioner for alcohol sustained injuries have lied about the cause of the problem

Shocking new figures launched recently by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) and The Drinkaware Trust provide a worrying insight into the everyday effects that alcohol is having on the nation. The research reveals a large number of people regularly exceed the recommended daily guidelines, hurt themselves as a result and, then, lie about the cause of their injury to the people trying to help them.
Over 1 in 10 of those questioned said that they drink alcohol on a daily basis, and nearly 1 in 5 chose to drink to excess a 'few times' per week.

Young adults are, unsurprisingly, consume the most. 71% of the 18-29 year olds questioned drink alcohol at least once a week, and 47% drink to excess at least once a week. But the over 50s are setting a bad example with 17% of admitting to drinking alcohol everyday.

The effects of excess alcohol are far reaching and 18-29 year olds are the most alcohol injury-prone - 48% have sustained injuries after hitting the booze. 95% of this age group said that alcohol boosted their confidence and made them feel less inhibited.

Other key findings highlighted in the survey:
* 12% drink alcohol on a daily basis
* 48% of men and 28% of woman admit drinking to excess at least once a week
* Despite over 20% of people injuring themselves when drunk, only 2% have been put off alcohol permanently as a result
* 16% of people have scared themselves with the injuries they have sustained whilst drunk
* 39% of people do not find it worrying that they injure themselves when drunk
* Over 30% of people have injured themselves so badly whilst drunk that they felt the need to visit a medical practitioner
* People have no qualms lying about their ailments; 23% of the men, and 15% of the women who have injured themselves whilst drunk admit lying to medical practitioners when asked about the cause of their injuries

The summer sun seems to be the catalyst behind the nations' drinking troubles. Over half of the population admitted to drinking more during the summer months, whether they are at home or away. 32% of over 50's drink the most amount of alcohol whilst on holiday.

The problem is far-reaching. 55% admit that alcohol causes them to feel unsteady on their feet. Not surprisingly, 90% of BCA chiropractors have treated patients with injuries caused by alcohol.

Along with superficial injuries such as bruises and grazes, the three most common alcohol-induced injures among the general public are to: hands (24%), knees/legs (20%) and ankles (17%).

But BCA chiropractors are reporting more serious incidents. Of the 2,400 patients that chiropractors treat each month for alcohol-fuelled injuries, the three most common injuries relate to backs (39%), necks (34%) and ankles (11%)

Chris Turner from the British Chiropractic Association comments: ‘Our research has shown that alcohol boosts confidence and makes people feel less inhibited and, when the 'invincible' factor kicks in, people lay themselves open to injury. Many patients are embarrassed about injuring themselves when drunk and are not always honest about the cause of the injury, which in itself can hinder the treatment they receive.
‘It's not just bumps and falls you need to watch out for,’ Chris continues, ‘Excess alcohol impairs your judgement and acts as a diuretic, leaving you dehydrated and causing your muscles to ache. Couple this with the fact that alcohol can also irritate your stomach, you could also leave yourself feeling nauseous too.’

Sam Jobber, from The Drinkaware Trust is concerned about these figures: ‘It seems drinking to excess is increasingly becoming the norm. Our advice is not to avoid alcohol completely but enjoy it in moderation. The research demonstrates the potential effects of over indulging, and highlights the need to keep yourself safe. Alcohol affects your judgment and sometimes you end up doing things you wouldn't do sober.’

To find out more information about the BCA please visit http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk or call 0118 950 5950

Peter Dixon, a chiropractor, was elected Chairman of the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) at a meeting of General Council.

Peter Dlxon said: 'I am acutely aware ofthe full range of responsibilities associated with the role of Chairman of the GCC and I'm very pleased that General Council has decided to entrust them to me. The GCC has a duty to patients, the public, chiropractors and the wider regulatory world, to continue to undertake its statutory responsibilities competently, fairly and openly. The health regulatory environment is going through a period of change and is often extremely volatile. I will always endeavour to provide leadership, support and encouragement to Council members and staff to help them maintain, and improve upon, what has already been achieved.'

Peter Dixon was elected to General Council in June 2002 and was appointed Acting Chairman designate at that time. Peter became Acting Chairman in March 2006 when the previous Chairman, Michael Copland-Griffiths, stood down.

Peter has practised as a chiropractor for twenty-two years and his principal practice is in Wiltshire.

Judith Worthington, a lay member of Council and Chairman of the GCC's Resource Management Committee was appointed, by General Council, as the GCC's representative on the Council of Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE).

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) is disappointed by the level of misunderstanding of its statutory procedures and processes demonstrated by the GMB's press release of 26th May 2006. There is simply no threat to the careers of chiropractors who have been trained by the McTimoney College of Chiropractic, who are permitted to practise by their regulatory body, the General Chiropractic Council.

'It is true that the McTimoney College has still failed to submit a five year education programme that will satisfy the criteria set out by the GCC, and which it has agreed to do on a number of occasions. The GCC wants to help the College meet its criteria, which have been agreed by the whole profession, including the College itself.

'The GMB has not discussed this matter with the GCC prior to issuing its press release and we wiil clarify the position for them.

'The GCC's statutory duties and responsibilities are set out in the Chiropractors Act 1994 - the purpose of this legislation is to protect the public by maintaining and monitoring UK chiropractic standards of education, training, practice and conduct. It is illegal for anyone in the UK to describe themselves as a chiropractor unless they are GCC registered.

'As a statutory regulatory body, independent of government, the GCC takes its responsibilities seriously and undertakes them assiduously in a fair and open manner.

'Our responsibilities and procedures are similar to those of other UK health regulatory bodies and our processes for recognising degrees are standard UK practice.'

Peter Dixon, GCC Chairman said: 'Naturally, the GCC is disappointed that the GMB has felt it necessary to hold a demonstration. I'm not sure what they hope to achieve. The GCC and the McTimoney College of Chiropractic have been in close communication over their proposed five year chiropractic degree programme since 2002 and we will continue to provide the College with supportive and detailed feedback on meeting the GCC's accreditation criteria, as we have been doing for the past four years. The GCC will continue to undertake its statutory responsibilities in an impartial and lawful manner'.

GCC Chief Executive Margaret Coats said : 'There is no threat to the livelihood of the McTimoney practitioners registered with the GCC. As we make clear on our web-site, decisions about current or proposed degrees will not affect in any way whatsoever the status of chiropractors who already hold a qualification awarded by the MCC, or as it was previously known, the Oxfordshire School of Chiropractic.'

The Royal Society of Medicine's Media Release: 'Spinal manipulation doesn't work for any condition, new research finds' concerning: A systematic review of systematic reviews of spinal manipulation. Ernst E, Canter PH. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Vol 20 April 2006, pp189-193.

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) is extremely concerned about two aspects of the publication, by the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM), of a new paper by Professor Ernst and his colleague. The first relates to the accuracy of the RSM's Media Release, the second to the paper itself.

Evidence-based guidelines
First, the GCC would iike to emphasise that spinal manipulation is part of a package of care offered by chiropractors that is evidence-based and widely recommended. As well as using physical manipulation, chiropractors help to manage their patients' conditions with advice about exercise, lifestyle and activity.

This approach is supported by an extremely thorough, multi-disciplinary, systematic evidence review of hundreds of studies leading to the production, in 2004, of specific Guidelines by the European Commission Research Directorate General [see: http://www.backpaineurope.org ].
Recent trials funded by the Medical Research Council [UK BEAM 2004] have demonstrated the effectiveness, and cost effectiveness, of manipulation as part of a package of care for back pain.

The RSM's Media Release
The Media Release distributed by the RSM is headed 'spinal manipulation doesn't work for any condition, new research finds'. This is misleading. Professor Ernst's paper is not 'new research' as the public would see it. It is a review of 16 written papers or studies, selected by Professor Emst, that examine the research conducted into spinal manipulation by others. So, in fact, Professor Ernst's paper is twice removed from hands-on 'new research'.

GCC Chairman Peter Dixon, said, 'reporting of medical and science matters can be tricky - overstate the facts, put a sensationalist spin on something to pique press interest, and before you know it there's a distorted story doing the rounds that can create a great deal of anxiety. This is then next to impossible to correct because journalist's interests move quickly on to the next story and there's no putting the genie back into the bottle.

'I'd recommend that all involved in reporting health and science matters, be it those who are involved in research, or in promoting or reporting research, should read the Guidelines on science and health communication prepared by the Social Issues Research Centre and published, in 2001, in partnership with the Royal Society and the Royal lnstitution of Great Britain - they can be read on http://www.sirc.org/publik/revised_guidelines.pdf - this will help avoid misunderstanding of research matters that lead to distorted and sensationalist headlines'.

A review of reviews?
Professor Ernst's review itself is a curious document and the GCC takes issue with his conclusions.

Peter Dixon, commented upon Professor Ernst's paper: 'I'm very surprised that the Royal Society of Medicine agreed to publish such an apparently biased paper. While it may be useful in creating public debate about the back pain epidemic and effective treatments for it - it will have a negative impact because Professor Ernst has, sadly, muddied the waters. He has circulated distorted information that those within the musculoskeletal health professions would have great difficulty recognising as an accurate representation of the facts'

A correction: there are just over 2,200 chiropractors In the UK. not 16,000 as specified in Professor Emst's paper and the RSM's Media Release.

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