The Missouri Chiropractor - April 2007

President's Report

by Edward A. Hengel, DC,  MSCA President

United We Stand

“After receiving so much positive feedback from this article, I felt it was worth repeating."

Every chiropractic physician in the State of Missouri is feeling the economic strain of ever-shrinking reimbursement from health carriers.  Every chiropractic physician in the State of Missouri is suffering from the humiliation of having their professional judgment, regarding the appropriateness of their patient care, second-guessed by computer databases.  Our patients, who depend on us for their health and well-being, are finding that the chiropractic limitations and excessive co-pays make access to chiropractic care more and more difficult.

In every Missouri chiropractic office, doctors sign provider contracts that are unconscionable, and are subjected to terms that are heavily weighted in favor of the financial interests of the managed care company, and against the financial interests of the chiropractic physician and the health interests of his or her patient.  To continue along this path will result in dire consequences for the chiropractic physician, as well as the chiropractic patient in the State of Missouri.

While litigation is one method of stemming these abuses, it is expensive, time consuming, and issue-specific.  The survival of our profession depends upon a profession that is unified in protecting the rights of its doctors and patients.

Missouri law mandates every health carrier must provide chiropractic coverage, and there can be no term, or condition, that makes access to chiropractic coverage more financially burdensome to patients than access to any other type of healthcare.  Without the chiropractic component in their plans, the health carriers cannot do business in Missouri.  The time has now come for us, as a profession, to take advantage of Missouri’s legal landscape and unify to prohibit the systematic devaluing of chiropractic care by the insurance industry.

We must understand that if we stand together we ensure the survival of our profession.  However, if we continue to exist as a splintered and fractured profession, the consequences may be dire.

Executive Directors Report

by Kathleen Wilcoxson, MPA

The MSCA Auxiliary serves quietly behind the scenes of the Missouri State Chiropractors Association. Spouses of our doctors, suppliers and other chiropractic supporters work endless hours to support many functions of the MSCA. Yet, most are not aware of their existence; and, if aware, may take for granted the many accomplishments of their labor.

When we need help serving food at Legislative Day, the MSCA Auxiliary is there to help. At Summer Convention, Auxiliary officers and members are the ones responsible for Bingo at the Opening Reception; they plan children’s activities to entertain the kids during the golf tournament; and conduct a Memorial Service for the chiropractors who have gone before you.

The Auxiliary raises money for a Chiropractic Scholarship Program to help chiropractic students defray the rising costs of their education.  This organization funds other MSCA needs such as helping with repairs when our building lost its roof in a wind storm, and when our sewer lines needed replacing.

In spite of all the valuable assistance received from the Auxiliary, many are not aware and don’t support its many activities. There is information on our website and in our journal, yet few step up to join or serve. I am afraid if we don’t take action, this valuable support group will cease to exist.

Help Save the MSCA Auxiliary!

I would like to ask every doctor to consider three (3) things . . .

  • Pay for your spouse, CA or office manager to become a member (only $25). The financial assistance, alone, will be a great value.
  • Encourage them to participate. If you are going to Legislative Day, take them along to help with registration or serving food. At convention, they might help with the Raffle, Bingo or Banquet.
  • If you are a board member, ask if they might be willing to serve as an officer of the Auxiliary. They meet quarterly during the MSCA Board of Directors meetings.

Governmental Affairs Report

by Mo McCullough, Government Affairs Director

As expected, the 2007 legislative session started out very slowly. The Republican majority made some changes in the rules of the House that the Democrats didn’t like so the entire process of setting committees and referring bills was stalled.  Once things got going, however, they kicked into high gear.  As of the writing of this report, I don’t know if the pace will keep up or if partisan politics will once again rear its ugly head and slow, or stop, everything.

Whatever happens, we are continuing to work on our agenda.  We want to update our practice act to accurately reflect the current education, skills and training of chiropractic physicians in Missouri, and we want to stop the blatant discrimination against the chiropractic profession in both patient access and reimbursements.

When I say “we” I am including a new addition to our lobbying core for this session. Former State
Representative Mark Wright has joined Sam Licklider and me in our efforts to push our issues through the legislature.  For those of you who do not know Mark, he was a representative form the Springfield area for the past eight years, the majority of which he spent in House leadership.  In those eight years, Mark was a major advocate for chiropractic in the General Assembly.  He brings experience and endless energy to the table, and Sam and I are happy to have him on our side.

That makes the score now three lobbyists for the good guys (Mo, Sam, Mark) and over thirty (I won’t attempt to name them all) for the insurance empire.  If you think the odds are against us, you’re right. But you can help change that.  Join or bring someone new into the only two organizations fighting to advance and protect the chiropractic profession in Missouri, the MSCA and the MSCA PAC.  Get involved, and we can make a difference.

Right now, I can’t predict the final outcome of the 2007 session.  The constant riffs between the Republicans and Democrats, the House and the Senate, and the Executive and Legislative branches may stop everything; or they may energize everyone to get things done.  We won’t know until 6:00 p.m. on May 18.  What I can tell you is that the MSCA will continue to fight the good fight, and ultimately, we will prevail.

PAC Report

by Phillip Prater, DC, PAC President

By now, Legislative Day is behind us; and on behalf of the MSCA, and MSCA PAC, thanks for your support, contributions and attendance.

A special BIG thanks to Wanda Munson who provided the luncheon; and her crew who helped serve.

Mo, you and your staff, or should I say our staff, did an excellent job, as usual. What else could we expect?

We are now preparing for summer convention later in July, and the MSCA Auxiliary now has tickets for the raffle available through all of the districts of the MSCA.To purchase the raffle tickets, please contact the presidents of the districts, or the PAC reps.You may locate their names in the MSCA journal.

Legislative Day and the raffle tickets are the two largest fund raisers that the PAC sponsors which promote chiropractic for your profession. Remember that the MSCA is the only voice we have in Jefferson City.

Be proud to be a member of the MSCA and MSCA PAC.

Thank you.

Committe Report

by Michael Finley, DC, Membership Committee Chair

I’m tired of defending chiropractic!

It’s tiring to constantly play defense all the time against insurance companies and other health groups. They are always trying to reduce, limit or take something away from us. Year after year, the MSCA is responding to ever increasing challenges from reimbursement issues to practice parameters.

I’ve heard doctors say, “I’m going to a cash practice” to address many of these problems. My response, “that’s great.”  Do you mean truly only cash or being an out-of-network provider?  For example, are you truly cash or are you filing out-of-network insurance benefits?  Is your patient filing?  What will you do when they drop all out-of-network benefits but still have significant in-network coverage?  How about other problems? What about other groups who want to duplicate your services with minimal training?  How about the groups that want to pass laws and limit what you can do in your practice?  How about the laws on the books that are being ignored that  protect our profession?  “Going cash” is great, but the problems in our profession won’t go away.

It’s simple, if we do not work to define who we are as a profession, other groups will do it for us. Let’s be real, they are not going to be charitable to our profession.

At the same time, I’m excited. Why? Because the MSCA has helped organize chiropractors to fight back as a group. Several lawsuits have been filed by chiropractors in our state that have national repercussion. Offensive types of legislation that increase our access to patients are proposed.

Why the turn around? More doctors are getting on board and joining the fight. In the last couple of years, we’ve had over 150 additional DCs join the MSCA. New energy, more voices, more money to go on the offense.

Should we wait to see who wants to take something away from us?

How about we demand what we want and deserve. Join the MSCA.  Let’s go on the offense to control our future!

District Reports

District 1

District 1 has its monthly meeting at Logan College in Room 156B every fourth Monday at 7:30 p.m.  Everyone is welcome, members and non-members.  Attend to learn what is going on with legislation, legal/lawsuits, and insurance.  If you have questions about any of these, or other issues, come and have them answered.

We are looking for a representative for District 1. What’s involved? Come to the monthly meetings and meet with our current representatives to find out. It’s a great way to give back to the profession.

If you have any questions, you can always contact any of our District 1 representatives who are listed in the front of this journal.    

District 2

This month, District 2, representing chiropractic physicians in the nine Missouri counties of Benton, Cass, Clay, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte, and Ray reports on:   Royals’ Night, District 2 seminars, and Legislative Day.

Mark your calendar for the next Royals’ Night that has been set for Saturday, May 5, 2007, when the Detroit Tigers come to Kansas City.  There are tickets available on a first-come-first-served basis.  We encourage all chiropractors (members and non-members) to join us in rooting for the Royals.  This is an opportunity for colleagues to enjoy a game and each others company.  For tickets, contact Dr. Page Crow at 816-313-0101.

We would like to thank the doctors who attended the December, 2006, and February, 2007, seminars.  It is your support that makes us a stronger organization and allows us to attract new presenters.  The MSCA District 2 Christmas Banquet and Dance was held on Thursday, December 14, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Northeast (same location as the seminar).  The dinner was excellent.  Music was provided by Dr. Chuck Eddy and his band.  A hypnotist provided after dinner entertainment and was enjoyed by all.  We hope more of our colleagues will plan to attend next year’s banquet.

The next District 2 Board meeting will be on Thursday, April 5, 2007.

If you wish to attend one of our monthly meetings, they are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Truman Room on the first floor of the Ararat Shrine Building located at “exit 65” (I-435 and Eastwood Traffic-way).  Go east to 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, Missouri.  Visitors are welcome.

District 5

It seems that District 5 events, as of late, have been hexed with a winter weather curse.Our December 2 meeting and Christmas party were nearly snowed out. Out of fifty plus who sent RSVPs, only 16 braved the icy roads.  Those who could attend enjoyed a scrumptious holiday buffet with all the trimmings. Afterward, everyone took part in a white elephant gift exchange.  Our January Winter Seminar Extravaganza was christened with the largest ice storm Missouri has seen in decades.We were only able to successfully hold 12 of the 24 hours offered. A total of 72 doctors attended, with more expected to attend the mandatory 12 hours.Saturday and Sunday’s plans were thwarted as the hotel, and most of the Springfield area, lost power. The 12 mandatory hours have been rescheduled for Saturday, March 31, at the Holiday Inn North in Springfield.Our speakers will include Dan Griffith, Dr. Duane Marquart, DC, DACBR, and Dr. Bob Weihe, DC, DABCI.For more information, or to register, e-mail docjeremyt@hotmail.com, or call 417-276-6306.We should be beyond winter’s grasp by then; but then again, who knows! 

Organizing the Office

by Susan Hoy

Take a look around your office and begin to become better organized.  A disorganized, stressful, messy office is not one where patients will want to come, or refer their friends and family.  Additionally, being organized and prepared is ultimately important in order to make a positive impression on your patients, especially your new patients.  Your goal is for your patients to have a good experience in your office at all times.  In order for your patients to have a good experience, your team must be having a good experience also.  It all begins with being organized and prepared.

Visual Experience
One of the ways to begin to improve your patients= experience is to become a patient.  So, walk out of your office and re-enter as if you are a new patient arriving at your office for the first time.  It is amazing what you will see.  First, before re-entering your office, look at your sign.  Is it updated and impressive?  Is it well maintained?  Does it say to potential new patients, AThis chiropractor is neat and professional and in the twenty-first century?@ 

How does the outside of your office look?  Is it well maintained?  How does the landscaping look?  Would it feel good to drive into your parking lot?  When your patients walk into your office, what do they see?  Do they see a neat, orderly office; a warm, homey, yet professional, atmosphere?  Are there spots on your carpet?  I have been to chiropractic offices that make me feel like I=m entering a dirty dungeon.  I=ve seen spots on the rug, fingerprints all over the walls, and broken furniture!  What do your counter tops look like?  All waiting room and reception counters should be cleaned daily.  Do I need to talk about your bathrooms?  Are you paying attention to those details? 

Is your office attracting the type of patients you want to treat?  Or, does your office say, AThis chiropractor is probably cheap because the office looks cheap!@The type of office you have attracts certain types of patients.  What about your reading material?  Are there lots of ripped-up, old magazines; or are your magazines up to date and arranged.  When a new magazine comes in, the old one is discarded!  In our office, since sometimes our magazines disappear before the new one comes in, we have a sticker we put on them.  It says, APlease do not remove this magazine from our office.  If you would like to have it, write your name in the space below, and we will give it to you when the new magazine arrives.@  Remember, when you want to create an impression, it=s the little things that make an impact. 

If you want your patient to have a good experience, it has to feel good to be in your office.  It is important to note that your patients will want to refer their friends and loved ones only if they are proud of you and your office.  If you=re not getting enough referrals, maybe your office, and your office staff, need to be updated and professionalized!

FRONT DESK ORGANIZATION

One of the most important things I have learned from running a busy front desk is that being organized is critical.  Virtually everything must be within easy reach, and easy to find, because, in a busy office, seconds count.  If your doctor sees 50 patients a day, the front desk CA sees 100 because they come in contact with the patient before and after every visit.  A front desk CA must have simplified procedures and must be an efficiency expert.  Even the team that is building their practice must be organized and systemized in order to grow and entice new patients.  If your procedures are complicated, and work intensive, your practice will not grow because you can=t take care of the patients you have, let alone entice more patients.  If you, or any one of your team is thinking, “we can=t even take care of the patients we already have, how can we see more patients,”you will be limiting your practice.  Beware of the too busy mentality.  Most importantly, you must be focusing on the patient, not the paperwork!  Your patients are your product.  When patients are in your office, your entire team must be focused on the patient, and do as little paperwork as possible.  Therefore, organization is critical for practice growth.

As I have said a thousand times before, your patients judge the chiropractor by the organization of the office, professionalism of the staff, and by the good/bad experience they have during their visit!  An overworked, disorganized staff is a practice buster.

The front-desk CA is the nucleus of the office during patient hours.  He or she must be a traffic cop, diplomat, efficiency expert, collections expert, and whiz with people.  Obviously, it takes a very special person to be a great front-desk CA.  The most important thing of all is that they must be trained to do this job.  No one should be asked to take on this position without training.  I firmly believe that the reason for CA burnout is lack of training.

Following are some suggestions for organizing of the front desk:

Be Prepared

No one likes to arrive for work with leftover work to do!  All yesterday=s work should have been completed before leaving the office.  That would include cleaning off all work surfaces (paperwork and debris).  Before leaving the office, all patient files or travel cards should be pulled for the next day.  That especially includes the files and travel cards that cannot be located!  If you can’t find them today, what makes you think you can find them tomorrow when the patient and the doctor are waiting?  X-rays should be ready for any Report of Findings or re-exams.  All Report of Findings written reports should be completed and ready for the patient.  Additionally, all new patient files should be individualized as much as possible and ready for the patient to arrive.  That would include having the new patient paperwork ready and on a clipboard with a sticky note containing the patient=s name and time of arrival.  At least twenty-five new patient files should be made in advance and ready for individualization.  The rule of thumb is to prepare new patient files for as many new patients as you want for that month!  When most of the preparedness is completed the night before, it alleviates frustration the next morning when someone calls in sick, is late for some reason, or when else unforeseen happens, which is usually the case.

The front desk CA (and the other team members) should arrive at least one-half hour before patients are scheduled. This gives everyone time to get the office ready to receive patients, including the chiropractor!  Messages have to be taken and acted upon; patients need to be contacted; the schedule should be debugged; equipment should be turned on; and everyone should be ready when that first patient arrives.

The Huddle

Just before patients arrive, the front desk CA should lead the morning huddle.  That is a time when the entire team (including the chiropractor) mentally prepares for the day.  The schedule should be addressed for busy times and patient issues.  The huddle is a time when every team member gets energized and ready to serve your patients.

Once the patient arrives, you all stand ready, organized, and, best of all, able to focus on the patient.  Trust me, the patient will notice. 

About the Author

Susan Hoy has managed a busy chiropractic office since 1989.  Currently, Susan travels throughout the U.S. helping teams become more organized, systemized and energized.  Susan will be presenting team training events in the following areas:  Springfield MA, Chicago IL, Reading PA, Albany NY, Pittsburgh PA, Louisville KY, Des Moines IA, Virginia Beach VA.  Forinformation contact Susan Hoy at 215-674-0130 or log on to her website at www.beefitup.net.

ACA Report

by Jack Kessinger, DC DABCI, Missouri Delegate

ACA 2007 Legislative Agenda to Target
Chiropractic in Military, Managed Care

The ACA Board of Governors has approved the association’s 2007 legislative agenda, which is aimed at making chiropractic more readily available to veterans and all active-duty military personnel and pushingthe revival of the Patients’ Bill of Rights.

All provisions in the Patients’ Bill of Rights are designed to “level the playing field” for doctors of chiropractic by including anti-discrimination and federal-liability language, and would allow DCs the ability to go out of network in the appeals process.

Moreover, it is ACA’s goal to achieve chiropractic inclusion at all major military treatment locations worldwide, and to ensure that doctors of chiropractic are commissioned in the uniformed military health. To date, chiropractors have been employed at only 30 veterans’ facilities. With low back pain a leading ailment of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, ACA will work to extend chiropractic presence to all 150 major VA medical care locations.

Other 2007 ACA initiatives include:

  • Ensuring that doctors of chiropractic are active in federal programs including the Public Health Service, National Disaster Medical Service, and the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
  • Making certain that doctors of chiropractic are treated fairly in all attempts to restructure the Medicare physician reimbursement system.
  • Reviving federal anti-trust legislation that would allow doctors of chiropractic to collectively bargain with managed care and insurance companies.

ACA will also monitor any congressional attempt to establish association, or small-business, health plans. These are fatally flawed proposals that would allow employers to escape state coverage and provider mandates. ACA will also watch for any attempt to usurp chiropractic scope of practice laws at the federal level.

News on Vaccinations

by Dr. Mercola

Will the HPV Vaccine Soon be Mandatory for Schoolgirls?

Merck is funding efforts to pass state laws that would require girls as young as eleven to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted cervical-cancer virus. Some conservative groups argued that this requirement would encourage premarital sex and interfere with parents' rights.

Merck has funneled money to Women in Government, an advocacy group made up of female state legislators around the country, and a top official from Merck's vaccine division sits on Women in Government's business council.

At least eighteen states are debating whether or not to make Merck's vaccine Gardasil mandatory for schoolgirls. Many of these bills have been introduced by members of Women in Government.

Gardasil protects against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.
 
Kaiser Network.org February 1, 2007
Yahoo News January 30, 2007
 
Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Merck, maker of the notorious Vioxx, now wants to make their needless human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil a requirement for young women.

Although Merck openly admits its lobbying ties with Women in Government, the mega-drugmaker won't say how much money they're funneling through the non-profit. But here's a possible measuring stick: With Merck doubling its spending on lobbying, just in Texas, to some $250,000, multiply that by 18 and you get almost $5 million.

Spending $5 million (or some $12.5 million if you're considering the whole country) is mere chump change compared to the $1 BILLION Merck could earn annually from Gardasil, says one drug industry analyst.

A New England Journal of Medicine study found the use of condoms reduces the incidence of HPV by 70 percent. And just a reminder, more than 6 million women contract HPV annually, but a woman's immune system is often strong enough to clear up this infection on its own; it's virtually 100 percent avoidable without a vaccine.

If you really want to protect yourself against HPV, in addition to wise sexual practices you can strengthen your immune system by:

  • Eating properly
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Addressing stressors

On Vital Votes, reader Ronn from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reports the following disheartening news:

"It's now a done deal in Texas -- just saw this news article:

"'... Bypassing the Legislature altogether, Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer ... Perry ... has said the cervical cancer vaccine is no different from the one that protects children against polio.”

"I'd like to add that the polio vaccine isn't protecting anyone! Remember when Salk was practically canonized for 'curing' polio? In reality, all they did was change the definition of polio to make it look like it had been 'cured'. The people who are getting polio now are the ones receiving the vaccine for it.”

Moms With More Education Less Likely to Vaccinate Their Kids
 
Women who never graduated high school are more likely to have their children vaccinated than women who graduated college.

To come to this conclusion, researchers examined data on almost 12,000 families from the National Immunization Survey, a nationwide survey of childhood vaccinations that includes information about ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Children of less-educated mothers were 16 percent more likely to have up-to-date vaccinations.

The study's senior author posited that the reason could be the controversy regarding the safety of vaccinations, and a higher awareness of this among the educated.

American Journal of Public Health December 28, 2006
The New York Times January 17, 2007
 
Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I realize that the issue of vaccination is quite controversial and is one of the bedrocks of "prevention" in conventional medicine. Anyone who opposes them is viewed as a dangerous lunatic.

This is exactly the view I had when I graduated medical school. However, after 20 years of practice and encountering hundreds of vaccine casualties in my practice, and carefully reviewing the evidence, I came to a different conclusion.

I strongly encourage you to review the evidence before you expose your own children to these potentially dangerous injections. I am convinced that their questionable benefits are far outweighed by their side effects.

Apparently many educated parents agree with this position as the above study demonstrates.

Avoiding vaccinations for your children tends to look like the better choice the more you know about the subject. Vaccines given to newborns contain an array of potentially toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal, aluminum phosphate (toxic and carcinogenic), antibiotics, phenols (corrosive to skin and toxic), live viruses and various other components.

Before you decide to vaccinate your children, do them a favor and look into the many risks and side effects associated with common childhood vaccines. Doing so could literally mean the difference between life and death.

There are alternate and vastly safer methods of protecting yourself against disease that all begin with a truly healthy diet, as outlined in my eating plan; of course, drug manufacturers and the government they have purchased don't want you to believe that the foods you consume and the habits you adopt are the primary solution to establishing immunity to diseases and living longer.
They want you to believe that their pharmaceuticals, including vaccines, are essential to your existence, and your children's.

On Vital Votes, Dex from Orem, Utah relates the following:

"After my firstborn son became a victim to the socialized autism epidemic from immunizations, I have refused to give any more of my children as human sacrifices to ignorance. When my wife insists about vaccinations, I say she must study the issue before making any decisions that can harm our children.

"People who insist on immunization have not done due diligence, or they would be against it. The irony, of course, is that people who are in the mainstream, who insist everyone should be inoculated with harmful toxins, think those who oppose their view are uninformed.

"Those who study the issue out soon realize that vaccines are potentially dangerous, compromising to the immune system, and mind-altering."

From Heartburn to Ear Infections

by Darrell Drumright

Heartburn Drugs

Heartburn drugs can raise the risk of a broken hip in people older than 50 when they are taken for more than a year, according to a study of more than 145,000 seniors.

The researchers believe the drugs may make it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium, leading to weaker bones and fractures.

The drugs causing the most problems were of a class known as proton pump inhibitors, which include Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec. There was a similarsmaller risk of hip fractures for drugs called H2 blockers, such as Tagamet and Pepcid.

Patients who used proton pump inhibitors for more than a year had a 44 percent greater risk of hip fracture, and the longer they took the drug, the greater the risk. And those who took high doses had more than twice the risk of hip fractures. Men in the study were more at risk than women, possibly because women may get more calcium in their diets.

Nexium is the third best-selling drug in the world, with annual sales exceeding $5 billion. People with chronic heartburn can develop painful ulcers in the esophagus, and in rare cases, some can end up with damage that can lead to esophageal cancer. 

Ear Infections: Watch and Wait Works Best

Once again another study shows that most ear infections disappear on their own if left untreated with antibiotics.  It was just published in the September 13 issue of JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association.  The American Academy of Pediatrics says 80 percent of children whose ear infections are not treated immediately with antibiotics get better on their own.

For numerous years, the negative effects of antibiotics and the treatment of ear infections with them has been published in peer reviewed journals, yet prescribing antibiotics has continued.  Doctors have insisted that parental pressure to give antibiotics is the primary reason why this unnecessary prescribing has continued.  A recent article from Web MD is titled: Cutting Antibiotics for Ear Infections: Disappear on Their Own if Parents Can Wait, Study Shows.The title of the article is almost amusing, as it tends to put the blame of antibiotic abuse in the hands of the parents as opposed to the pharmaceutical and allopathic industry.  In 2004, the AAP finally gave its stamp of approval to the watch-and-wait strategy, telling physicians it was okay to delay antibiotics in children over two years of age for 48 to 72 hours.  They suggested the use of pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Let's remember that the use of ibeprophen or acetaminophen have their share of side effects as well and there are natural means of pain relief for children's ear infections.  In 2001, a study showed an ear drop formulation of naturopathic origin, was as effective as Anaesthetic ear drops and was proven appropriate for the management of AOM-associated ear pain.Health food stores around the country offer various similar to choose from.

The Web MD article further emphasizes that the solution to over utilization is parental education.  Doctors of chiropractic have been offering their patients the resources to make informed health care choices for many years now.  Citing study after study, we have always encouraged parents to look at the facts at hand and choose from the facts, not the outdated practices.

MCSA Partners:


Bank of America