Back pain. Neck pain. Headaches. Stress. Fatigue. Poor sleep.
If any of those sound familiar to you…
“You are one adjustment away from a good mood.” -Unknown
Whether someone is looking for a natural way to treat their health issues or maybe other treatment options have had no success, chiropractors are able to offer safe and effective treatment options! Choosing to visit a chiropractor can majorly affect one’s health in a positive way. Because the body structure affects the function of our overall body, we want to make sure we’re taking good care of it.
At first thought when thinking of chiropractors, the mind instantly goes to back pain, neck pain, and headaches. And although chiropractors are indeed experts in those areas, they also care for patients with multiple injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. [1]
So, wouldn’t you think there’s a way to celebrate such awesome healthcare professionals? Well this month is dedicated to it! October is National Chiropractic Health Month.
Let’s get some background on the national professional organization and see where the profession is headed before discussing the theme of this year’s National Chiropractic Health Month, Move 4 Life. We also have some pretty awesome resources available to use in celebration of this month.
The American Chiropractic Association
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is the largest national chiropractic organization. Honorable and accomplished chiropractors are drawn towards the ACA partially because of the benefits including both professional and educational. The ACA is also leading the profession by working together with other health care professionals and using research to guide their treatment practices. [2]
The organization as well as its members holds themselves accountable to the mission, vision, values, and promise seen below:
Mission
“To inspire and empower our members to elevate the health and wellness of their communities.” [3]
Vision
“The American Chiropractic Association is leading a modern movement of chiropractic care based on higher standards and a focus on patient outcomes.” [3]
Values
“We model excellence in patient-centered, evidence-based care.
We serve our patients in the interest of public health.
We participate in the health care community through collaboration and integration.
We hold each other to higher standards.” [3]
Promise
“To make accountability, to members and to the public, a priority. To abide by standards that provide higher quality care and consistency for patients. To embrace a collaborative approach and inclusive attitude that moves the organization, and the profession, forward.” [3]
Outlook on Chiropractic
According to an article provided by the ACA, “Doctors of chiropractic—often referred to as DCs, chiropractors or chiropractic physicians—practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. In addition to their expertise in spinal manipulation/adjustment, doctors of chiropractic have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.” [4]
Chiropractic is recognized as a healthcare profession in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as multiple other countries throughout the world. With more than 70,000 active chiropractic licenses in the United States, the profession won’t be going downhill anytime soon. [5]
Projected to grow 12 percent between 2016 and 2026, the employment of chiropractors is on the rise. [6] There is an interest in integrative healthcare that continues to become more popular and commonly seen as time passes. Because chiropractors are non-surgical and don’t prescribe drugs, people are able to treat their pain and improve their health in a more natural way. The chiropractic profession has taken a role in the fight against the opioid epidemic because it can be used as a safe alternative to relive pain.
National Chiropractic Health Month: Move 4 Life
You’ve learned a little more about the American Chiropractic Association and heard some positives about where your profession is headed in the future, so now it’s time for the fun part.
Did you know? “In the United States, more than half of all adults fail to meet the surgeon general’s physical activity recommendations of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise weekly.” [7]
The theme this year for National Chiropractic Health Month, NCHM, is Move for Life! The ACA is encouraging the public to move more to, “prevent back pain, reduce disability, and stay healthy and strong for a lifetime.” [8]
People’s overall health can be affected by something as simple as making movement a part of their life. It can strengthen bones and muscles but also can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and Type 2 Diabetes. [8] When people get older, the concerns for falls and other injuries become more prevalent. Be sure to read our injury management series on fall prevention to learn fundamentals and exercises that can help your patient get moving and decrease their risk. Falls and injuries can take a toll on someone’s lifestyle and cause them to have difficulty partaking in daily activities.
What’s one of the most common reasons patients visit a doctor and one of the most common reasons that opioid pain medications are prescribed? I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that reason is back pain. [8] As a chiropractor, you can treat musculoskeletal conditions and help relieve back pain in a more safe and effective way. By doing this, you’re already taking one step in the right direction of trying to get your patients moving and living a more active lifestyle.
So how can you further get involved with this year’s theme for National Chiropractic Health Month and encourage your patients to truly “move 4 life”?
NCHM Toolkit
The American Chiropractic Association provides a toolkit for chiropractors to use in hopes of them encouraging their patients and the public to get moving! They provide resources and materials for social media and websites, the community and clinics, and even patient handouts.
Here’s a preview of some of the resources that can be found on their website:
- Social Media Posts & Graphics
- Facts & Figures
- Podcast About Movement and Musculoskeletal Health
- NCHM Logos
- Press Release
- Patient Education Handouts
Be sure to use these to your advantage and get the word out about your profession, your organization, and this year’s message!
World Spine Day
“In addition to National Chiropractic Health Month, ACA encourages you to help celebrate World Spine Day on Oct. 16. Featuring the theme, ‘Love Your Spine,’ the one-day event will highlight the importance of spinal health and well-being. The campaign will promote not only physical activity but also good posture, responsible lifting and healthy working conditions. Visit the World Spine Day campaign page to learn more.”
Sources:
[1] https://www.acatoday.org/Portals/60/HealthyLiving_GetHealthywithChiro.pdf?ver=2017-09-12-135701-053
[2] https://www.acatoday.org/About
[3] https://www.acatoday.org/About/Mission-Vision
[4] https://www.acatoday.org/Portals/60/HealthyLiving_GetHealthywithChiro.pdf?ver=2017-09-12-135701-053
[5] https://www.acatoday.org/About/History-of-Chiropractic
[6] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm
[7] https://www.acatoday.org/Education-Events/National-Chiropractic-Health-Month/Campaign-Toolkit/NCHM-2018-Key-Facts-and-Figures
[8] https://www.acatoday.org/Education-Events/National-Chiropractic-Health-Month
[9] https://www.acatoday.org/Education-Events/National-Chiropractic-Health-Month/Campaign-Toolkit
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