December 12, 2006 [Volume 7, Issue 26]

To Your Health is brought to you by:

In this issue of To Your Health:

• A Salute to Chiropractic
• Chiropractic Superior to Exercise for Chronic Low-Back Pain
• Don't Underestimate the Value of Calcium

One of the largest groups to utilize alternative therapies is veterans. A recent mail survey evaluated selected alternative medicine use among 264 veterans. The survey included questions on demographics, health beliefs, medical problems and use of six common alternative therapies (chiropractic, herbs, dietary supplements, massage therapy, acupuncture and homeopathy).

Seventy-two patients (27.3%) reported alternative therapy use within the past 12 months. One-fourth of patients (26%) used chiropractic care to alleviate their pain. Back pain was the most frequently reported medical problem (62.5%). While most veterans (76.9%) had used prescription pills to treat their medical problems, 67% of veterans who had not used alternative therapies reported that they would use it if offered by the Veterans Administration (VA).

Currently, chiropractic care is provided at a number of VA hospitals across the country -- but many other VA facilities and veterans are still out there. If you are a veteran, talk to your local VA about providing chiropractic care and other alternative treatments. You can also contact your state legislator(s) and ask them to support House Resolution 5202, which mandates chiropractic at every VA medical center by the year 2010. To learn more about H.R.5202, visit Chiropractic in the Military.

McEachrane-Gross FP, Liebschutz JM, Berlowitz D. Use of selected complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments in veterans with cancer or chronic pain: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, October 2006;6;6:34.

Flexion distraction is a commonly used form of chiropractic care. In a recent study, 235 patients received chiropractic care or participated in an exercise program, and were followed for one year via mailed questionnaires to assess levels of pain and dysfunction.

Subjects had a decrease in pain and disability after intervention, regardless of which group they were in. However, one year later, subjects who received chiropractic care had significantly lower pain scores than subjects who followed the exercise program.

For more information on the benefits of chiropractic, visit www.chiroweb.com/find.

Cambron JA, Gudavalli MR, Hedeker D, McGregor M, Jedlicka J, Keenum M, et al. One-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing flexion distraction with an exercise program for chronic low-back pain. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, September 2006;12(7):659-68.

Most peri- and postmenopausal women do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in their diets to promote healthy bones. Calcium also has beneficial effects on several nonskeletal disorders, primarily hypertension, colorectal cancer, obesity, and nephrolithiasis.

The North American Menopause Society recently reviewed he role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women. The optimal calcium intake for most postmenopausal women is 1,200 mg/day. Vitamin D intake of 30 ng/mL or more is required to achieve the nutritional benefits of calcium. The society emphasizes that "average calcium consumption is far below the amount recommended for optimal bone health, and many U.S. healthcare providers do not recommend calcium supplements." They add that, based on the available evidence, there is strong support for the importance of ensuring adequate calcium intake in all women, particularly those who are peri- or postmenopausal.

Please consult with your chiropractor regarding any vitamin supplements you are taking. They can help you achieve the best possible nutritional results for good bone health. To learn more about the benefits of calcium and other nutrients, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.

North American Menopause Society. The role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women: 2006 position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause, Nov.-Dec. 2006;13(6):862-77.

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