By Ron Kirk, D.C., and Medhat Alattar, D.C.

Noting the excellent preventative methods of the dental profession in habituating large segments of the world population to care for their teeth on at least a daily basis, Life University Founder and President Dr. Sid E. Williams appointed a multidisciplinary work team to explore and develop patient-active chiropractic public health practices that would promote spinal and neurological health.

In January 1996, a work team comprising representatives from Life University’s executive office, clinical sciences division and research department began meeting to formulate a set of wellness-based, patient-active, spinal health concepts and practices.

The work team’s goal was to create a simple spinal health package that would be practiced as universally as patient-active dental-hygienic procedures.

Methods

After literature review, concerted study and consultation with experts in the field, the team synthesized a group of wellness-based, best practices for patient-active spinal care. To enhance public and professional acceptance/utilization and to add coherence, the team agreed that the concepts and practices should have a focused identity: neuro-spinal hygiene.

The team then began to develop the definition of neuro-spinal hygiene as the science of maintaining a healthy spinal column and nervous system through patient-active, personal empowerment. Neuro-spinal hygiene includes the study of proper postural habits; exercises to promote spinal flexibility, strength and resiliency; goal setting; stress management; proper spinal ergonomic habits; and nutrition for optimal spinal health.

The work team then initiated a strategic plan to develop and promote the neuro-spinal hygiene program on a personal, academic, clinical and public health initiative level. Public Health 4107E, a participatory elective class with a lab component, was created to teach the concepts and practices of neuro-spinal hygiene to students. Students in the class participated in a quality-of-life research project, and in-service training was provided for clinic faculty.

The university’s wellness programs and activity challenges incorporated spinal hygienic procedures as a part of the daily health practices recommended to achieve a higher level of fitness. Linkage was achieved at the national and international levels by introducing the concept to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, the World Federation of Chiropractic and several international service-oriented organizations, the NGO Forum for Health, World Vision International, and the World Health Organization, who were designated as potential partners. Neuro-spinal hygiene was incorporated in the ACC Position Paper #2 under health promotion.

Results

The neuro-spinal hygiene elective class proved to be very popular with students. Each term, approximately 100 students chose to take the course, and most reported that they had habituated positive spinal health activities into their lifestyles.

Research conducted in the Public Health 4107E class indicated that students improved significantly in 4 out of 8 Rand SF 36 quality-of-life (general health, social functioning, vitality and mental health) parameters. They also improved significantly in affect (measured by retrogressive analysis of scores using the Global Well-Being Survey) over the course of a quarter.

Based on the students’ response and research, neuro-spinal hygiene has been incorporated as a required pre-clinical course for fourth-term students, and it has also been incorporated in the Clinic Standard Operating Procedural Manual as patient-active complementary, wellness-oriented care. Patients at the clinics are encouraged to participate in active spinal wellness activities.

Team members have presented the neuro-spinal hygiene course packs and basic research to Dr. Eric Ram, president of the NGO Health Forum, which is associated with the WHO. On the basis of this presentation, neuro-spinal hygiene was incorporated within the NGO Health Forum at the Geneva 2000 Conference For Social Development.

Dr. Derek Yach, executive director of the WHO Noncommunicable Disease and Mental Health cluster, has commended Life University for its Neuro-Spinal Hygiene Initiative. In addition, the institution has accepted an invitation to introduce the concept and practice of neuro-spinal hygiene in a half-day presentation to the member organizations of the NGO Forum for Health in Geneva during the 53rd WHO General Assembly in May 2001. Team members have developed pamphlets for worldwide distribution to Third World countries.

Conclusion

Neuro-spinal hygiene is rapidly developing from an embryonic concept and participatory course into a worldwide public health initiative complementary to the practice of chiropractic.

The goal of introducing the neuro-spinal hygiene program is to empower everyone to achieve and maintain spinal and neurological health and well-being. The techniques, which are simple and cost-free, can be practiced in diverse world locations and cultures, regardless of socio-economic status. Intensifying spinal health awareness highlights the significance of professional chiropractic care around the globe.

About the authors: Ron Kirk, D.C., is dean of Life University’s College of Chiropractic. Medhat Alattar, D.C., is a professor and the director of Life University’s International Programs. Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Kirk at Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060; call (770) 426-2757; or E-mail rkirk@life.edu.

REFERENCES

1. Hill, W.F., and Gruner, L., "A Study of Development in Open and Closed Groups," Small Group Behavior 4:355-38, 1973.

2. Lacoursiere, R.B., The Life Cycle of Group, New York: Human Sciences Press, 1980.

3. Liebenson, C., Rehabilitation of the Spine: A Practitioner’s Manual, Williams and Wilkins, 1996.

4. Association of Chiropractic Colleges, ACC Position Paper #2, Dec., 1996.

5. Christensen, Mark G.., Kerkoff, Darla, and Kollasch, Martin W., Job Analysis of Chiropractic 2000: A Project Report, Survey Analysis, and Summary of Chiropractic Practice Within the United States, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, 2000.

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