DR. MICHAEL LOGIUDICE, DC

What is Chiropractic?

“Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “effective treatment by hand.” 

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system. Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body’s inability to adapt to its environment.   

It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which are functioning improperly.  

The conditions which doctors of chiropractic address are as varied and as vast as the nervous system itself. 

The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes chiropractic different from other health care procedures. Your spinal column is a series of movable bones which begin at the base of your skull and end in the center of your hips. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves extend down the spine from the brain and exit through a series of openings. The nerves leave the spine and form a complicated network which influences every living tissue in your body.   

Accidents, falls, stress,tension, overexertion, and countless other factors can result in a displacements or derangement’s of the spinal column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations may cause malfunctions in the human body, often time distant from the site of injury. Chiropractic helps by reducing or eliminating this irritation to spinal nerves can cause your body to operate more efficiently and more comfortably.  

Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health. While chiropractors make no use of drugs or surgery, doctors of chiropractic refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact, chiropractors work along side other health care professionals and provide care in areas of occupational health, sports medicine, physical therapy, as well as rehabilitation.   

How Can I Find the Best Chiropractor for me?

“The best way to find the chiropractor that’s right for you is to spend a little time.” 

• American Chiropractic Assocation website:  www.acatoday.com
• State (OR) association website:  www.oregonchiroassoc.com
• Ask friends, family, and co-workers to recommend a chiropractor 
• Visit your insurance website: ”Locate a provider” tab 
• Call a chiropractor near your home or office; make it convenient for you
  • Read their websites, reviews, and testimonials
  • Ask to speak to the doctor.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions
  • Call and make a new patient appointment
  • Within the first few visits you’ll know if this is the chiropractor for you 

In numerous studies, doctors of chiropractic have been shown to be among the most patient-centered health care providers.   

What Should You Expect From a Chiropractor? 

1. Consult - This is the  first conversation you should have with your doctor before starting care.
2. New Patient Forms -  Paperwork will include information about your current condition, family history, dietary habits, other care (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your occupation, and additional questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness
3. Insurance - DO NOT base your decision to pick a chiropractor just because he does not take your insurance.  You can still afford chiropractic care without health insurance. However, these are the questions you should ask: Does your chiropractor take your insurance? Is the chiropractor in your network? 
4. Examination- A physical examination will be performed; which includes a spinal examination to detect any structural abnormalities that may be affecting or causing your condition.  It may include vitals, orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic tests.   All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.  Clinical judgement, presenting symptoms, and mechanism of injury will determine if any advanced diagnostic procedures (X-rays, MRIs, CTs, Discograms, Arthrograms, and labs)  are necessary.
5. Diagnosis - Doctors of  chiropractic have the right and duty to give a diagnosis before they start treating. Examination findings,  neurological tests, orthopedic tests, muscles tests, and specific chiropractic exams are used to arrive at a differential diagnosis.  Advanced imaging may be ordered in certain cases before treatment is rendered.  The results will be explained completely to you following a careful evaluation of your radiographs or MRIs.
6. Treatment Plan - A plan to start treating the problem 
   • Recommended level of care (duration and frequency of visits) 
     • number of visits recommended for the treatment plan
     • detail the type of services you expect to render to the patient 
     • chiropractic manipulative treatment, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic procedures, and durable goods you plan to dispense
     • home care instructions, possible referrals, and restrictions to any activities of daily living (ADL) 
     • two or three times a week is usually acceptable until the patient reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI) 
   • Specific treatment goals
     • include goals for each treatment you expect to use in the plan 
     • assessing the functional deficits at the beginning of the treatment plan, discuss ADLs or loss of function
     • list the exact functional deficit and create a baseline for the loss you are trying to have the patient recover from 
   • Objective measures to evaluate treatment effectiveness
     • layout exactly what is expected and how it is going to be measured 
     • Ie. Quadruple Visual Analog Scale (Quad VAS) performed on a daily basis
   • Date of the initial treatment
     • the clock starts ticking and visits are counted toward this specific case when the initiation of treatment date is changed
     • date must be a part of the written documentation in chart in order to effectively show the beginning of this course of treatment 
     • treatment plan is the road-map that justifies and quantifies your desired plan of care for each patient
7. Cost - If you have insurance, some services might not be covered. In these case, expect some out-of-pocket expenses.  If you do not have insurance, then a total cost of treatment will be discussed, and payment terms can be arranged as per office policy. In every case there will be fees expected; whether they are co-pays, non-covered expenses, or total cost of treatment. 
8. Treatment -  Once the doctor has identified the problem area, he will begin care by way of these adjustments or “manipulations.”  An adjustment consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine that are out of alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion. Along with the chiropractic adjustment, electrical stimulation, stretching, heat, ice, traction, myofascial release, as well as exercise may be recommended. 
9. Prognosis - Likely outcome of your condition or disease
   • Good
   • Likely
   • Guarded
   • Poor
10. Follow-up phone call – Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments don’t hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of health-care.  The doctor may call you after your first visit to see how you are doing, this is done with acute conditions where the patient presented with moderate to severe pain. 

What is Chiropractic Philosophy? 

Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine.  

Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic (total person) approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness.  

The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:   

1. The structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and
2. The mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. 

Chiropractic philosophy blends an effective combination of conviction, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and appreciation of the natural order of things. Chiropractic focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a relationship between patients and their environment which is most conducive to functional well-being.  It also includes: 

• emphasis on patient recuperative abilities rather than surgery
• recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health
• understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it, rather than simply treat symptoms
• recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate relationship with the capacities of the human body
• balancing benefits versus risks of clinical interventions
• recognition of the primary importance of monitoring progress closely through appropriate diagnostic procedures
• a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through structure
• focus on early intervention emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible

Is There Any Chiropractic Research? 

Currently there are 14 peer-reviewed chiropractic journals in English which publish the results of chiropractic research.

Chiropractic research is published in scientific journals.  With each passing day more is done to reduce the scientific isolation and expand the scope and appreciation of chiropractic and chiropractic research to the scientific community and the general public.  

For additional research information:  

• Manga II
• Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER)
• Chiropractic Journal of Australia
• JMPT (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics)
• Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association
• Chiropractic Research 
• ACA TodayJACAJournal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System
• Chiropractic Economics 
• Chiropractic Journal of Australia 
• Chiropractic Research Journal 
• Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (JCCA) 
• Journal Chiropractic Humanities 
• JMPT Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 
• JVSR Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 
• Canadian Chiropractor 
• The Chiropractic Journal 
• Today’s Chiropractic 

What Are The Phases of Chiropractic Care? 

1.  Initial Intensive Care
   • Relief Care or Acute Care. This is designed to eliminate or reduce the majority of the discomfort and stabilize the condition in the shortest amount of time.  Visits may be frequent. Repeated visits are often required to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. 
2. Rehabilitative Care
   • The objective to correct any underlying spinal injury as well as strengthening the muscles, improve spinal function and provide more complete or optimum healing of tissues and organ systems.  Visits will reduce in frequency and care is supplemented by exercises and modification of your ADL’s. 
3. Maintenance or Wellness Care 
   • It is designed to maintain your improved health and spinal function, and prevent the return of the original condition once spinal correction has been attained.  Regular attention catches small problems before they become serious. Wellness through prevention saves time and money by keeping  you well, and the ability to recover more quickly when you do suffer from an injury.  

What is the (ACCs) Official Position on Chiropractic?

“Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.”     

• practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how the relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. 
• chiropractors recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.    
• the chiropractic profession continues to foster a unique, distinct service that serves as a health care discipline for all. 
• ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.     

What is the Purpose of Chiropractic?   

• The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health.     

What is the Principle of Chiropractic?  

• The body’s innate recuperative power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system. 

What Does the Practice of Chiropractic Include?      

• PRIMUM NON NOCERE: first do no harm
• establishing a diagnosis
• facilitating neurological and bio-mechanical integrity through appropriate case management; and
• promoting health

What Does the Foundation of Chiropractic Include?     

• Philosophy:  Recognizing that the body has the unique ability to heal itself and wants to be healthy
• Science:  Determine which phase of healing you are in and type of tissue that is injured
• Art:  Use of the appropriate techniques to provide the quickest rate of recovery
• Knowledge: Anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and knowing the emotional effects on health
• Clinical experience:  Working with many various types of patients  and injuries
• Common sense:  Knowing when to refer out for a condition that you do not treat

 What does The Chiropractic Paradigm Directly Impact?     

• education
• research
• health care policy and leadership
• relationships with other health care providers
• professional stature
• public awareness and perceptions; and
• patient health through quality care.

What Is The Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) ?

• Subluxations are a combination of many changes going on simultaneously.  
• These changes are not limited to just the joints of the body.  

What are the five categories of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)?       

1. The osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration.  This component is sometimes called kinesiopathology. (Ie.Frozen shoulder, kink in the neck, a catch in the back)
2. The Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve. Even a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves.  This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.  (Ie. Pins and needles, aching, dull ache, numbness,  and sharp shooting pains.)
3. The Muscle Component helps hold the vertebrae in place. Nerves control the muscles.  Thus, muscles are an integral part of the VSC.  Muscles effect, as well as are affected by the VSC. This component is known as myopathology.  (Ie. Weakness, muscle wasting, muscle spasms, trigger-points, and muscle cramps.)
4. The Soft Tissue Component is when you have misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves resulting in changes in the surrounding soft tissues.  This means the tendons, ligaments, blood supply and other tissues undergo changes.  These changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology. (Ie. Swelling, bruising, sprains of ligaments, strains of tendons)
5. The Chemical Component is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be slight or massive depending of what parts of your body are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as biochemical abnormalities. (Ie. Fatigue, excessive cortisol production, adrenal burnout, short tempered, insomnia.) 

What Is The Chiropractic Oath?

“I do hereby swear before these assembled witnesses that I will do my utmost to keep this oath as a doctor of chiropractic.  I will light the way to the understanding of those natural laws which preserve the human body, as a fitting temple for the soul.I will keep the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the sick as my foremost duty, ever searching for and correcting the cause of their disease to the best of my ability.  I will at all times stand ready to serve humanity without distinction of race, creed or colour. I will prevent and alleviate human suffering. I will exemplify a pattern of living in harmony with the laws of nature.   

With purity I will pass my life and practice my art. I will refrain from any act of wrong-doing. I will regard the keeping of a patients confidence as a moral obligation. I will at all times consider the patients under my care as of supreme importance.  I will not spare myself in rendering them the help which I have been taught by my Alma mater.  

May the skillful use of my hands be so directed, that I may bring strength to the sick, relief to the suffering, peace of mind to the anxious, and the inspiration to the human race to attain bountiful health, that we may live this life to the fullest expression of its innate endowments.I therefore solemnly swear to uphold these principles and precepts, to the best of my ability, so help me God.” 

BJ Palmer – the developer of chiropractic

What Are The 33 Chiropractic Principles?

1. The Major Premise – A Universal Intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence.    
2. The Chiropractic Meaning of Life – The expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.    
3.  The Union of Intelligence and Matter – Life is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter. 
4. The Triune of Life - Life is a triunity having three necessary united factors, namely: Intelligence, Force and Matter.
5. The Perfection of the Triune – In order to have 100% Life, there must be 100% Intelligence, 100% Force, 100% Matter.
6. The Principle of Time - There is no process that does not require time.
7. The Amount of Intelligence in Matter – The amount of intelligence for any given amount of matter is 100%, and is always proportional to its requirements. 
8. The Function of Intelligence – The function of intelligence is to create force.  
9. The Amount of Force Created by Intelligence - The amount of force created by intelligence is always 100%.  
10. The Function of Force – The function of force is to unite intelligence and matter.    
11. The Character of Universal Forces – The forces of Universal Intelligence are manifested by physical laws; are unswerving and unadapted, and have no solicitude for the structures in which they work.    
12. Interference with Transmission of Universal Forces – There can be interference with transmission of universal forces.    
13. The Function of Matter – The function of matter is to express force.    
14. Universal Life – Force is manifested by motion in matter; all matter has motion, therefore there is universal life in all matter.    
15. No Motion without the Effort of Force - Matter can have no motion without the application of force by intelligence.    
16. Intelligence in both Organic and Inorganic Matter – Universal Intelligence gives force to both organic and inorganic matter.    
17. Cause and Effect – Every effect has a cause and every cause has effects.    
18. Evidence of Life – The signs of life are evidence of the intelligence of life.    
19. Organic Matter – The material of the body of a “living thing” is organized matter.    
20. Innate Intelligence - A “living thing” has an inborn intelligence within its body, called Innate Intelligence.    
21. The Mission of Innate Intelligence – The mission of Innate Intelligence is to maintain the material of the body of a “living thing” in active organization.    
22. The Amount of Innate intelligence – There is 100% of Innate Intelligence in every “living thing,” the requisite amount, proportional to its organization.    
23. The Function of Innate Intelligence – The function of Innate Intelligence is to adapt universal forces and matter for use in the body, so that all parts of the body will have co-coordinated action for mutual benefit.    
24. The Limits of Adaptation – Innate Intelligence adapts forces and matter for the body as long as it can do so without breaking a universal law, or Innate Intelligence is limited by the limitations of matter.    
25. The Character of Innate Forces - The forces of Innate Intelligence never injure or destroy the structures in which they work.    
26. Comparison of Universal and Innate Forces – In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.    
27. The Normality of Innate Intelligence - Innate Intelligence is always normal and its function is always normal.    
28. The Conductors of Innate Forces – The forces of Innate Intelligence operate through or over the nervous system in animal bodies.    
29. Interference with Transmission of Innate Forces – There can be interference with the transmission of Innate forces.    
30. The Causes of Dis-ease - Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination of dis-ease.    
31. Subluxations- Interference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column.    
32. The Principle of Coordination – Coordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes.    
33. The Law of Demand and Supply - The Law of Supply and Demand is existent in the body in its ideal state; wherein the “clearing house,” is the brain, Innate the virtuous “banker,” brain cells “clerks,” and nerve cells “messengers.”