NASS Learns About Chiropractic

Over 2,400 Surgeons and Other Specialists Learn How to Work with DCs

By Editorial Staff

On October 31, 2002, the North American Spine Society (NASS) held its first plenary session on the topic of spinal manipulation: "Spinal Manipulation in Spine Care: Who? Why? When?" The session was co-moderated by Scott Haldeman,DC,PhD,MD, and John Triano,DC,PhD. Over 2,400 NASS members and attendees (mostly orthopedic surgeons, with some neuro-surgeons as well as a significant number of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists) learned first-hand about the potential benefits of spinal manipulation.

The presentation, with questions and answers, lasted two hours and was conducted in a cavernous ballroom of the Montreal Convention Centre (the heart of Murray Katz's hometown). The program was presented on four huge projection screens: two for Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, and two for video projections of the speaker and panel members.

The panel speakers consisted of NASS members selected by the moderators for their knowledge and experience in the field, with an emphasis on being "practical" and addressing "real" issues. Each presenter gave his experience and opinions from the perspective of science and art, as well as clinical exposures.

Dr. Haldeman, a chiropractor and practicing neurologist on the postgraduate faculty of SCUHS and U.C. Irvine, started the symposium with a brief review of the evidence showing effectiveness of chiropractic in the management of low back, leg, neck and arm pain and headaches.

Greg Kawchuk,DC,PhD, a practicing DC on the faculty of the University of Calgary, presented a review of the goals and scientific mechanisms in theory and evidence that form the basis of spinal manipulation use.

Dr. Triano, from the Texas Back Institute and faculty member of the U.T. Arlington biomedical engineering program, discussed diagnoses, indications and contraindications to treatment.

Jack Zigler,MD, an orthopedic surgeon and cervical spine trauma specialist from the Texas Back Institute, related his experience as a surgeon in working on a day-to-day basis with a team of chiropractors.

Andy Cole,MD, who practices in Washington state and is a recent past president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, described his incorporation of manipulation into management of patients.

Michael Geraci,MD,PT, who practices in Buffalo, New York and is on the extension faculty of the Osteopathic College of Michigan State University, gave a brief survey of the changes in medical perceptions of spinal manipulation. Included was a frank discussion of the remaining stumbling blocks and challenges for manipulation as it is often practiced by DCs, DOs and PTs, which includes open-ended care without endpoints.

The symposium was enthusiastically well received, indicated by the fact that the last hour of the presentation was standing room only in a hall designed to seat every one of the 2,400 attendees, because some of the over 2,000 vendors also came in to listen. This is the first time chiropractic care has been given this much exposure at a NASS meeting. Now, over 2,400 medical providers, most of them surgeons, have a much better understanding of the importance of chiropractic and how they can work with DCs in caring for their patients.