People occasionally assume that because I am a chiropractor and use a conservative approach, I must be opposed to conventional medicine. I am not.
In fact, when I am evaluating a complicated patient, I often like knowing that the appropriate medical workup has already been done. If someone has unusual symptoms, progressive weakness, significant trauma or something else that raises concern, I want the right medical questions answered. I want serious pathology ruled out. I want to know the boundaries of what belongs in my office.
That information does not compete with what I do. It helps me do my job responsibly.
Once the important medical concerns have been addressed, I can concentrate on a different set of questions. How are the joints moving? What is the soft tissue doing? How is the nervous system tolerating motion and tension? What has the body learned to do around the problem? Where is the patient compensating?
Healthcare gets into trouble when we start defending professions instead of helping people. I do not think the question should be, “Do you believe in medicine or chiropractic?” The question should be, “What does this patient need right now?”
Sometimes the right tool is medication. Sometimes it is surgery. Sometimes it is rehabilitation or hands-on conservative care. Sometimes we need several disciplines working together.
If you have already been through a medical workup and you are still struggling with pain or function, that information is useful. Bring it with you. We will use what is known and keep investigating what may still be missing.
–Marc Bonacci, DC, PMMTP
