Health Care Update
Columbia University Studies
Natural Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy
In light of recent research showing that hormone replacement therapy may pose
an increased risk for breast cancer and other health problems, menopausal women
with severe hot flashes and night sweats might be seeking alternative sources
of relief for their symptoms. The Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Center for Complementary
& Alternative Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians &
Surgeons has announced two research studies on alternatives to hormone replacement
therapy or menopausal health. The first focuses on the effects of an herb, black
cohosh, on hot flashes, while the second investigates the effects of diets high
in phytoestrogens on bone density, cardiovascular health, and risk factors for
breast cancer.
Black cohosh has a long history of use in Western countries for women’s
health. A number of clinical studies of the herb have been conducted over the
past 50 years, but few are of sufficient duration or scientific rigor to adequately
assess long-term use. The black cohosh study will look at the effect of the
herb on hot flashes, as well as on bone metabolism and changes in measures of
cognitive function. The second study, Comparing Healthy Options in Cooking and
Eating, will examine the health effects of diets high in phytoestrogens, including
foods such as grains, vegetables and soy. There are compelling data on the beneficial
effects of soy foods on cholesterol; basic science studies also provide some
evidence of beneficial effects of phytoestrogens with respect to cancer
Research Explores Chiropractic
Care in the NFL
In a recent issue, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
featured a new survey of head athletic trainers from the National Football League
teams on how they utilize chiropractic.
A survey was mailed to each of the 36 trainers, which consisted of 40 questions
relating to training experience, frequency and type of care used on injured
players. Twenty-two trainers responded, of which, 45 percent have personally
been treated by a chiropractor and 77 percent of the trainers have referred
to a chiropractor for evaluation or care.
When asked to identify conditions appropriate for referral to a chiropractor,
the respondents identified low back pain (61 percent), “stingers”
and “burners” usually associated with neck injury (31 percent) and
headaches (8 percent). All respondents agree that some players use chiropractic
care without referral from team medical staff.
There is significant chiropractic participation in
U.S. professional football. Certified athletic trainers see a role for the sport
chiropractor in the NFL, primarily as a spinal specialist caring for low back
and other musculoskeletal injuries. A majority of NFL trainers have developed
cooperative relationships with chiropractors, with 77 percent having referred
a player to a chiropractor. Thirty-one percent of NFL teams have a chiropractor
officially on staff, and an additional 12 percent of teams refer players to
chiropractors but do not directly retain these chiropractors.
Regional Survey Examines Health Insurance Coverage for Complementary and Alternative
Health Care Services
In a recent study performed in the northeast portion of the United States of health
insurance representatives, almost all of the respondents reported that chiropractic
care is a covered service.
Less than half of the insurers reimburse acupuncture, usually for chronic pain
management. Coverage for massage therapy is minimal and usually associated with
physical therapy or chiropractic treatment. Other holistic services receive negligible
coverage.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the coverage of CAM services by health
insurance carriers. The geographic focus is a three-state region of the northeastern
United States: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The findings may not necessarily
reflect the whole United States due to regional differences. This survey, although
regional in scope, provides important observations relating to the current status
in health insurance coverage of CAM and a foundation for discussion.
The focus of the questions was on insurance coverage for chiropractic, acupuncture,
massage therapy, acupressure, nutritional counseling, reflexology and other CAM
services. There were also questions on co-pay, deductible, annual maximal coverage
and network CAM providers
Chiropractors Help Children with ADHD
In the past decade, prescriptions for Ritalin, a stimulant medication commonly
used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increased five-fold,
with 90 percent of all prescriptions worldwide consumed in the United States.
As many parents grow leery of the traditional medical approach to ADHD, doctors
of chiropractic are offering promising results with non-drug treatments that focus
on postural muscles, nutrition and lifestyle changes that affect brain activity,
according to articles in the July and August 2002 issues of the Journal of the
American Chiropractic Association.
Doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic neurologists offer a non-drug and non-invasive
treatment alternative for ADHD patients that target the underlying problems, not
just symptoms.
While chiropractic neurologists have found success in treating ADHD and learning
disabilities by providing the necessary brain stimulation, they also recommend
nutrition and lifestyle changes that may help correct or prevent biochemical imbalances
that cause ADHD. Parents are encouraged to remove as many food dyes, sugar, preservatives
and additives from the diet as possible. The ACA made these recommendations to
parents: Focus on natural, mostly organic foods with as few pesticides or herbicides
as possible. Determine if there is an allergy—usually starting with dairy
and gluten and try elimination diets. Avoid taking medications, nicotine, alcohol
and other drugs in pregnancy that may harm the fetus. Breastfeed your child for
the first year of life.
For more information or a copy of the two-part series “Children with ADHD—Medical
vs. Chiropractic Perspective and Theory,” call the ACA at 800-986-4636.
Active Seniors Beating Risk of Osteoporosis
Activity level appears to be one of the major factors separating older adults
with strong bones from those who have weaker bones, and therefore are more prone
to developing osteoporosis and experiencing fractures and breakage as they age.
After conducting hundreds of bone density scans on participants at the AARP’s
“Life@50+” conference in September in San Diego, representatives from
the American Chiropractic Association found that some of the healthiest bones
they tested belonged to men and women in their 70s and 80s who continue to lead
active lives.
The results of the AARP bone scans, conducted with an Osteometer DTX-200 DexaCare
bone density scanner, reflect well on those who continue to exercise and participate
in other physical activities and sports into their golden years. But a majority
of men and women over 50 are still not doing all that they can to keep their bones
healthy. In fact, it is estimated that about 70 percent of those over 68 that
were tested at the AARP convention showed “significant bone density loss.”
The scanner used at the AARP conference is endorsed by the ACA and provides a
color scan of the forearm that shows soft and hard (bone) tissue. The scanner
uses its results to calculate a person’s bone density and compares it to
that of a healthy 25-year-old (which is considered the age where the body’s
bone-building activity peaks) and to that of someone in his or her particular
age range.
Trans Fat Data to Be Added to Food Labels
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is moving to add a line to the nutrition
label on every box, can and bottle of processed food. Sometime next year, the
agency will require manufacturers to tell consumers how much of artery-damaging
trans fat their products contain.
Trans fats, sometimes called trans fatty acids, are found in vegetable oils that
are hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated, a process that solidifies them to form
margarine and shortening. Those hydrogenated oils are found in many processed
foods and baked goods, making them almost impossible to avoid.
In a report this summer to the FDA, the Institute of Medicine said that Americans
should cut back their intake of trans fats. Although the report said there was
not enough research to recommend a safe daily level of trans fats, Dr Margo Wootan,
a senior scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said the
findings suggested “that the only safe intake of trans fat is zero.”
In 1994, the center called on the FDA to add trans fats to the nutrition label.
Five years later, the agency agreed, but postponed the change until it had considered
the Institute of Medicine report. Dieters usually try to steer clear of saturated
fats. Trans fats can damage arteries as much as saturated fats or even more. The
new report said trans fats correlated significantly with an increased concentration
of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and a decreased concentration of HDL,
or “good” cholesterol, and were therefore associated with a higher risk
of heart disease.
© Copyright 2002 Today's Chiropractic