It seems one of the more modern buzzwords is chronic, referring to diseases – that is to say, "ongoing and incurable." However, we can take a different perspective and recognize that, although the body may have been traumatized and injured, healing should always be viewed in the realm of possibility. Recall the Japanese proverb: "If you are still alive, then there is hope for the body to heal."
The good news is many of these diseases can be prevented and eliminated by better (specific) lifestyle choices. Addressing the patient's food choices is the just the beginning. Education in all areas that contribute to our overall health status should also be incorporated (e.g., breathing techniques, daily movement / stretching, restorative sleep, hydration, bowel transit time, first morning urine pH).
The National Health Council reports that the United States bears a cumulative annual economic burden of $1.3 trillion from the seven most prevalent chronic conditions – cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions, and mental illness.
Again, we always approach our patients from the perspective of, "How can we help this condition?" Is there a way to address root causes of the issue and remove or resolve them, so healing can progress? This is rarely a single-pronged approach, and required a team of practitioners with an integrated mindset.
Identifying and Treating Inflammation
Chronic disease, pain and inflammation go hand in hand. Inflammation is now recognized as a contributor and the underlying cause of many chronic diseases. Disease is not a random act, but a cause and effect. Years of poor lifestyle choices are reflected in increased levels of basic biomarkers such as homocysteine, hsCRP, HbA1c, omega-3 index, and 25 OHD, which are predictive of what the patient's next 10 years will look like if no changes are made.
As practitioners, we can use these values to make specific food and lifestyle recommendations. For example, an omega-3 index value less than 8 would support the recommendation of EPA/DHA supplementation. We know that using an omega-3 is beneficial in preventing and managing heart disease. Knowing the patient's specific lab value will help you be more targeted in your recommendations, and provides you with a specific marker to monitor progress.
With regards to reducing inflammation, we can look to food / chemical sensitivities. Note the difference between IgG testing vs. true lymphocyte response testing. The IgG antibody is a fraction of the type II delayed pathway and not able to distinguish helpful from harmful. When using a lymphocyte response assay (LRA), you're able to effectively identify hidden immune burdens because all three delayed pathways have been evaluated.
A Functional Treatment Approach
Through elimination of the hidden immune burdens; detoxification using a combination of sulfur-rich amino acids, omega-3, and fully buffered ascorbate; repair of the microbiome with prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotic elements; and rebuilding the system with essential nutrients, we are able to help patients restore their tolerance to once-problematic foods, while also reducing inflammation and resetting the body's ability to detoxify and perform.
Addressing systemic / tissue inflammation from a nutritional or herbal approach is just the first step. Many of our patents will also pursue acupuncture to reduce pain by alleviating the stagnation of blood and qi. There are many approaches to this, and we have countless recipes. Often we will fall back to electronic meridian imaging as a way to evaluate the overall meridian system, identify imbalances, and treat to balance the overall system.
This is a clean, simple and very visual way for the patient to understand what we are trying to accomplish. On follow-ups, we may then also treat condition-specific points to augment the ongoing healing process.
Other Considerations
As mentioned in our previous article, physical evaluation and chiropractic care are important components of the functional approach. As a chiropractic physician, you must recognize the mechanical component of a patient's overall well-being.
In an ideal world, you should work with the patient and coordinate care with their PCP. This not only improves the patient's perspective of you, but also allows you to show the allopathic doctor what you can do. They can monitor and hopefully reduce the patient's medications as indicated.
It is always important to note other information regarding the patient's case in general. Other physician evaluations or recommendations, diagnostic testing and parallel care should be noted. If the patient has a significant life change – a move, a divorce, a new job – these are also factors that may affect their response to care. Certainly, if there is a new exacerbating injury – an MVA, a slip and fall, an injury at home or while playing weekend sports – these are also worthy of note and will show a need for further care, or validate the need for a new course of care.
Use a Functional Lens
If we really want to make a difference and also reduce the financial burden of these conditions, our approach has to change. By looking at the top chronic conditions through a more functional lens, we can make recommendations to empower our patients to take control and responsibility of their health care. We can make a difference by helping put an end to the chronic illness that has dominated their lives.
Click here for more information about Douglas R. Briggs, DC, Dipl. Ac. (IAMA), DAAPM, EMT.
Melissa Crispell is a certified nutrition specialist, certified wellness coach, certified natural healthcare practitioner, friend of First State Health & Wellness and nationally-recognized speaker.