HEALTH Vitamin Angels, Metagenics team up for child nutrition ALISO VIEJO, Calif.-based Metagenics, Inc., a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company focused on improving health, has partnered with Vitamin Angels in its efforts to help distribute essential vitamins and minerals to 100,000 children worldwide. Vitamin Angels is a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing essential vitamins and minerals to at-risk pregnant women, new mothers and children under five around the world. Through contributions from sales of its line of Omega- Genics formulas, Metagenics has committed to fund Vitamin Angels’ efforts to help 100,000 children. “Unfortunately, undernutrition is the underlying cause in 45 per cent of deaths in children five and under,” said John Troup, chief science officer for Metagenics, Inc. “Our mission at Metagenics is to help people of all ages achieve their best health possible. We are honored to continue our partnership with Vitamin Angels to address nutritional gaps to help these children and their communities thrive.” Vitamin Angels maintains that vitamin supplementation is the lowest cost, highest impact investment that can be made in the health of children worldwide. In 2013, contributions from Metagenics’ OmegaGenics line of purity-guaranteed omega formulas funded the efforts in providing a year’s supply of vitamin A for 100,000 children – also establishing the goal for 2014 contributions. Last year, Vitamin Angels distributed nearly 200 million vitamins to 30 million children in about 45 countries, including the United States. Improving children’s health with a sound nutritional foundation is where Vitamin Angels begins, but not where the benefits end, according to the organization. Better health can also lead to greater educational achievement and economic productivity, helping break the cycle of poverty and creating more promising futures. “Our focus is ensuring that children have the nutritional foundation in place so health is not a barrier to their overall success. With partners such as Metagenics, we are able to help bolster their nutritional status as a step toward removing a hurdle on the path to a healthy future,” said Howard B. Schiffer, president and founder of Vitamin Angels. “With the continued support of our partners, we are one step closer to reaching our goal of serving 40 million children in 2014.” To learn more about how to support Vitamin Angels, visit www.vitaminangels.org. ISSUES ICA wants Forbes’ apology for “outrageous, prejudicial” article The International Chiropractic Association (ICA) has called out as “outrageous and prejudicial” a recent Forbes online magazine article criticizing U.S. Medicare spending on chiropractors. In a letter sent to Forbes, ICA’s general legal counsel James Turner called the online article, written by Forbes contributor Steven Salzberg, arrogant and ignorant. “The arrogance, ignorance and above all, prejudice displayed in Mr. Salzberg’s essay is rare in this day and age of universal availability of information on any subject from any source via the Internet,” Turner wrote in his letter to the editor. “To ignore the mass of safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness data on chiropractic readily available to anyone bothering to search clearly indicates the intentions of this individual – to maliciously smear and to discredit for reasons that only he can explain. This organization would certainly have been happy to assist in any such search and we wish to go on record as making the resources of the ICA available to any Forbes writer should there be an interest in an objective, balanced review of any chiropractic issue.” In his article, published in Forbes’ website on April 20, Salzberg cited the $496 million U.S. Medicare paid for chiropractic treatments in 2012 as “egregious waste,” pointing out chiropractors are “not medical doctors” and claimed chiropractic “belief” in subluxations has “no scientific basis.” Salzberg’s comments about chiropractic elicited reactions from the chiropractic community defending its practice and citing numerous scientific evidence of the efficacy of chiropractic care. “This recent outrageous and prejudicial attack on the chiropractic profession requires an exceptional response,” said ICA president Dr. Michael McLean. “Attacks on our profession from critics and competitors are commonplace and predictable but this recent piece titled, New Medicare Data Reveal Startling $496 Million Wasted on Chiropractors, and written by Steven Salzberg, is so outrageously misleading and hurtful that we feel all of our legal options and protections must be explored.” ICA is “especially shocked” by the highly prejudicial assertions about the risks associated with chiropractic care and the author’s “choice of outdated, misleading references for which compelling data to the contrary exists which clearly documents the exceptional safety and clinical effectiveness of chiropractic procedures.” In his letter to the editor, Turner indicated the ICA was deeply disturbed by the negative characterization of all chiropractic expenditures in the federal Medicare program. “What is particularly offensive, indeed outrageous, is Mr. Salzberg’s characterization of chiropractic expenditures in Medicare as ‘waste.’ This is especially the case as Medicare is not welfare but a program into which all working Americans are obliged to pay all their working lives. In this program, Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to choose the care pathway and services that they feel best meet their individual health care needs. The irrefutable fact that over many decades millions of Medicare beneficiaries have chosen chiropractic care as their preferred means to address their personal health issues is the best and most compelling evidence of the need for and effectiveness of these unique services. To presume to dismiss those millions of Americans as foolish and misdirected, because of their choice of chiropractic, showcases the malicious, prejudicial agenda of the writer in glaring and, once again, outrageous terms,” Turner wrote. McLean says ICA’s response was not just to “express outrage” over the article but to “seek redress through every possible means.” The ICA wants Forbes to allow the chiropractic community the opportunity to present the true facts on chiropractic’s safety and effectiveness. It also hopes to get an apology from the publication, said Turner in his letter. “We would happily accept both as a means to right what we feel is a demonstrable wrong done to our members and, ultimately, to the patients they serve,” said Turner ICA has urged all doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic organizations to express their thoughts on the article directly to Forbes. “ICA also urges all within the chiropractic profession to bring to our attention any prejudicial attack on the profession,” said McLean. “ICA will forcefully respond with the facts.” - Mari-Len De Guzman PROVINCIAL Alberta invests in family clinics The Alberta government is spending $45 million on starting up nine family care clinics. Health Minister Fred Horne said these new clinics will be part of small community networks where many health professionals team up to give patients several services. As well, the province is providing $32 million to primary care networks to improve hours and offer more same-day appointments. The clinics will be in Edmonton, Calgary, Peace River and central Alberta, adding to three already running. Horne said the goal is to divert patients away from hospitals by keeping them healthy so they don’t need acute care. He said about five per cent of people use 65 per cent of Alberta’s health-care resources. “Every time we admit a patient to hospital for a complication of something like diabetes that could have been treated or maybe even prevented in the community, that’s actually a failure of the health-care system, not a success,” Horne said. Former premier Alison Redford had promised to build 140 clinics during her election campaign. “I think that was a very ambitious, perhaps overly ambitious, target,” Horne said. - The Canadian Press WORKPLACE Program recognizes employers supporting workers with arthritis The Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) has launched a nationwide search for the best arthritis strategies and practices in Canadian workplaces in a bid to recognize successful employers that are paying more attention to the needs of employees living with arthritis. The launch of the 2014 Canada’s Best Workplaces for Employees Living with Arthritis was announced at the 2014 Canadian Life and Health Insurance of Canada Annual Claims Conference, held in May in Quebec City. “A workplace environment that embraces the needs of people living with arthritis and provides private insurance plans that give timely, equitable access to medications and other treatments is good for business health,” said Cheryl Koehn, founder and president of the ACE. “We call on businesses that are taking positive steps to address arthritis in their workplaces to apply.” It is estimated there are 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis. ACE’s scientific partner, the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC), will assist in the selection process. According to ARC’s scientific director, Dr. John Esdaile, there is a strong correlation between best arthritis practices in the workplace and business success. “Employers that make it easier for people with arthritis to thrive in their careers, and in the process also improve productivity and reduce costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism, should be recognized,” he said. Arthritis is the most common cause of work disability in Canada and typically occurs during prime working years, between ages 35 and 50. The impact of arthritis costs the Canadian economy more than $6.4 billion annually. Lost workdays due to long-term disability account for approximately two-thirds of this total. One in six Canadians has osteoarthritis. That number is expected to rise to one in three Canadians by 2020. One out of every 136 Canadian workers is living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but that will increase to one in 68 workers by 2020. Within ten years of the onset of RA, up to 50 per cent of employees living with RA are work-disabled if left under- or untreated. Dr.Diane Lacaille of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada has conducted studies to determine what workplace factors are closely linked to the risk of a work disability lasting six months or longer. She found that high physical demand, low job independence (i. e. minimal control over the pace of work and how duties are performed) and poor support from co-workers aggravated arthritis symptoms and accounted for longer absences from work. The application process for Canada’s Best Workplaces for Employees Living with Arthritis will deliver insights to further strengthen Canadian companies’ approaches to creating a more productive and arthritis-friendly workplace. It is an opportunity for companies to assess their awareness of arthritis and support systems for employees living with the condition. ACE will employ wide-ranging criteria from which to judge and recognize Canadian companies’ best arthritis strategies and practices in the workplace. Categorizing companies by size (small, medium and large), ACE will conduct employee surveys, which are taken anonymously, and analyze company practices and programs compared to other candidate companies based on criteria such as workstation adaptability, flexible hours, employee education and benefit plans. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. EST on July 31, 2014, and winners will be announced during Arthritis Awareness Month in September 2014. - CNW Group EDUCATION Toronto DC mentors new Vitality Academy Dr. Nima Pardisnia Vitality Depot has recruited Dr. Nima Pardisnia as mentor for its newly launched Vitality Academy Continuing Education Program. Pardisnia holds a degree in both chiropractic and physiotherapy. “Dr. Pardisnia is one of the very few dual registrants in Ontario holding both a physiotherapy and a chiropractic rehab degree, giving him a unique perspective when teaching therapies and techniques,” Vitality Depot said in a statement announcing its new courses. Pardisnia is a member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1997, and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. The Vitality Depot has also launched the Vitality Academy, which offers information on continuing education courses for Dcs. Some of the 2014 courses offered at Vitality Academy include: Thera-Band Level 1 Certification Course, to be held on Tuesday, July 15; Decompression Introductory Course, Tuesday, August 19; Decompression Level 1 Certification, Saturday, June 28. Vitality Academy also features general information on various modalities such as decompression, shockwave and electrotherapy, updated research and clinical studies. The site also hosts professional bloggers discussing cases and outcomes. GERIATRIC Nova Scotia to develop dementia strategy The Nova Scotia government has appointed a 17-member committee to develop the province’s first strategy to improve treatment and care for people with dementia. Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine said the members include someone living with dementia, a family caregiver and health-care professionals. The committee is led by Lloyd Brown, head of the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, and Ruby Knowles, executive director of continuing care at the Department of Health. The government announced plans for the strategy in January, saying it should be ready by next spring. The goals of the strategy are to improve access to services, provide support for caregivers and ensure people with dementia can remain independent for as long as possible. The government said Nova Scotia has the oldest population per capita in the country with 17 per cent of its citizens 65 or older. - The Canadian Press HEALTH Study sparks call for drug-free approach to pregnancy care RESPONDING TO A RECENT STUDY published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics on acetaminophen use during pregnancy, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) is advocating for a low-risk, drug-free alternative, such as chiropractic care, for pain relief – particularly among pregnant women. The JAMA study found that the use of acetaminophen for pain relief during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of hyper kinetic disorders (HKDs) and ADHD-like behaviors in children. The F4CP says offering pregnant women a low-risk and drugfree alternative, such as chiropractic care, can relieve pain and improve the health of expectant mothers and their developing babies. “Because risks associated with medications are magnified during pregnancy, experts are advising expectant mothers to look for non-pharmacological ways to deal with pain,” said Dr. Gerard Clum, spokesperson for F4CP, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care. “Doctors of chiropractic receive a minimum of seven years of education to clinically evaluate patients and provide gentle, hands-on manual and instrument care, as well as nutrition, ergonomics and exercise advice – all fundamental contributors to a healthy pregnancy and lifestyle.” According to the JAMA report, children whose mothers used acetaminophen were: • 13 per cent more likely to show ADHD-like behaviors • 37 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with HKD • 29 per cent more likely to be prescribed ADHD medications In a subsequent article in USA Today, experts also advised against substituting the use of acetaminophen with ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as they may disrupt fetal development and cause further problems. “Added stress to the body, weight gain and postural changes often cause relentless discomfort for expectant mothers,” said Clum. “Conservative options, such as chiropractic, can improve structural balance and help with conditions such as headaches, neck and back pain – and all too common during pregnancy.” The F4CP urges healthcare providers and patients to consider drug-free treatment approaches. “As evidence continues to expose the dangers connected to the use of acetaminophen and other NSAIDs, especially during pregnancy, it becomes evident that pharmaceuticals should not be a primary option,” said Clum. “Natural approaches – such as chiropractic care – should be the first choice for achieving better health throughout all stages of life, including pregnancy.” APPOINTMENT CMCC names new college president Dr. David Wickes THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto has appointed Dr. David Wickes as its next president, succeeding Dr. Jean Moss who is stepping down from the role on June 30, 2014, after 24 years as president. “The selection of Dr. Wickes as CMCC’s next president ensures the continuity of its success through the appointment of a committed leader who is deeply invested in the growth and vitality of CMCC and its responsibility to the profession in Canada,” said CMCC Board of Governors chair Dr. Mark Labrecque. “The Board owes a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Moss whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing CMCC to the high level of performance and international recognition it has received,” he continued. Prior to his appointment to the CMCC, Wickes was dean of the College of Chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. “I am excited to be joining such a well respected and prestigious institution and will strive to work closely with Dr. Moss, the Board of Governors, students, staff, faculty, alumni, provincial associations, donors and stakeholders to ensure that the strong relationships that CMCC has fostered are preserved and enhanced. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to build on the strong foundation already established by Dr. Moss and am completely committed to the mission and vision of CMCC and eager to carry it forward,” he said. CMCC began its search for a new president in September 2013 after Moss announced plans to step down at the end of the school year. An international search commenced with the assistance of executive search firm Feldman, Daxon Partners Inc. The presidential search committee, consisting of members of the CMCC Board of Governors, representatives from key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students and alumni, narrowed down a highly qualified, international pool of candidates and made a recommendation to the CMCC Board of Governors, who accepted the recommendation. “I can’t thank the search committee enough for their hard work and for such a transparent and inclusive process undertaken to choose the next leader of CMCC. The voices and opinions of students, staff, faculty, alumni and key stakeholders all played a vital role in this recommendation,” said Dr. Kelli Blunt, who chaired the presidential search committee. Moss added her endorsement to the board’s choice. “My decision to step down after 24 years of service as president was made in close consultation with the Board of Governors. I hold CMCC very dear and all who have come through our doors are very special to me. I believe that Dr. Wickes has much to offer CMCC and I know that his skills, depth of experience and leadership will continue to build on the momentum and innovative programs developed during my time here. I will miss everyone at CMCC, but I know that I leave it in very good hands,” she stated. In his previous role as dean of the College of Chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport, Wickes was both chief administrative officer and chief academic officer, responsible for strategic planning, budget development, interaction with other colleges and associations, as well as faculty and curriculum oversight. Prior to joining the University of Bridgeport, he served as executive vice-president of two chiropractic institutions – the National University of Health Sciences in Illinois and the University of Western States in Oregon. Wickes received his Doctor in Chiropractic in 1977 from National College of Chiropractic and a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University in 2009. He has been active in the profession at the international level and was chair of the Council on Chiropractic Education from 2009 to 2012. His many accomplishments include the design and implementation of two master’s degree programs, the implementation of new organizational structures, development of articulation agreements with other institutions, implementation of distance learning, management of new building projects, curriculum development and the development of standardized patient programs. PAIN MANAGEMENT Study shows promising results for osteoarthritis pain relief A NEW STUDY shows wearable pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) devices may help reduce pain for patients with osteoarthritis. The study’s abstract is posted on the conference website of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a wearable PEMF device on pain intensity reduction in patients affected by knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease and the major cause of pain and physical disability among elderly people. “Osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common musculoskeletal pain and disability condition,” said Ian Rawe, Ph.D., director of research at BioElectronics, a manufacturer of over-thecounter wearable PEMF devices called ActiPatch Therapy. The study involved randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled clinical trial, with equal randomization (1:1) and parallel group. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients, enrolled according to the ACR criteria, with age >40 years, persistent pain, defined as a minimum mean score of 40 on a 100 mm visual analog scales (VAS), symptomatic disease for at least six months prior to enrollment have been recruited to be randomly assigned to wear active (n=20) or placebo (n=20) device for 12 hours daily for four weeks. Patients in the active group showed statistically significant improvement in visual analogue pain scores (VAS) (p<0.005) and WOMAC (Western Ontario and Mc- Master Universities Osteoarthritis Index) pain scores (p<0.001) at four weeks compared to baseline. Patients in the active group assessed for function and disability showed statistically significant improvement for WOMAC function (p<0.002) and WOMAC stiffness (p<0.02) at four weeks compared to baseline. Patients in the active group also demonstrated statistically significant (p<0.04) improved physical and mental health as assessed by the SF-36 (36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 version 2) at four weeks compared to baseline. Given the low risk of adverse events, the study has concluded that wearable PEMF therapy “appears to be a promising and effective therapy in reducing pain intensity, modulating pain threshold and increasing quality of life in OA patients.” Proponents of the study also called for larger human studies to confirm the longterm effect on pain intensity and on the modulation of pain threshold. EDUCATION CMCC, Uwinnipeg team up for new academic pathway The Canadian Memor ial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto and The University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) has signed an articulation agreement, creating a new academic pathway for qualified students to concurrently complete a Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology degree (Honours) and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in seven years, instead of eight. It is the first agreement of its kind in Western Canada. “We are excited to partner with the University of Winnipeg on this initiative which expands opportunities for students in Manitoba,” said CMCC president Dr. Jean Moss. “This articulation agreement will benefit qualifying students who will be able to meet the requirements for both degrees while fast tracking their education towards becoming a doctor of chiropractic.” Kinesiology students who decide on their career direction early in their post-secondary education will be able to seamlessly bridge their foundational degree into a professional degree in chiropractic. “We are deeply committed to creating collaborative programs that provide our students with laddering opportunities to earn dual credentials, and today’s partnership with CMCC offers another relevant choice to our students,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, president and vice-chancellor, Uwinnipeg. “CMCC and Uwinnipeg are well matched in terms of our vision and goals. This new pathway provides Manitoba students with the means to further their education in less time so they can more quickly take an active role in providing excellent patient care to their communities,” he added. This collaboration with CMCC is the beginning of the sharing of expertise and knowledge that will ensure the two institutions’ reputations continue to be acknowledged worldwide, said Dr. Neil Besner, provost and vice-president, academic and international at Uwinnipeg. “This first in Western Canada builds on the robust programming now offered by our Faculty of Kinesiology.” “I am delighted that CMCC and Uwinnipeg have forged this important partnership and can see the enormous potential for students in my home province interested in pursuing a career in chiropractic. I would have wanted to see this in place when I was in my early years,” commented Dr. Mark Symchych, CMCC Class of ‘93 and past chair, board of governors. Acceptance into the CMCCUWinnipeg Bridging Program will begin in September 2015. CONCUSSIONS Brain differences seen in NCAA footballers: study A small U.S. study of college football players found that the areas of their brains that control memory were smaller than average, especially if they had suffered concussions. But more research is needed to determine if the differences mean they’re headed for problems down the road. The study of players from the National Collegiate Athletic Association is only preliminary, but the differences were seen in a part of the brain affected by a destructive disease linked with head blows and found in autopsies of some former NFL players. The college players studied did just as well on tests of mental function, including memory, as a healthy control group of college athletes in non-contact sports, although those in the football group who’d played the longest had slower reaction times. It’s unknown when the brain differences occurred and it’s possible the football players were born with them, said study co-author Patrick Bellgowan, a neuroscientist at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Still, because head trauma is among conditions thought to cause the affected brain region to shrink, the study results are “a flag that concussions need to be taken seriously,” Bellgowan said. The differences were found in the hippocampus, a small seahorse-shaped region behind the front part of the brain. In football players who’d had concussions, the right part of the hippocampus was 26 per cent smaller on average than in the control group. In football players without concussions, it was 17 per cent smaller. Similar differences were seen in the left part of the hippocampus. The study involved 25 Division 1 football players and 25 college athletes in non-contact sports including long-distance running. Results were released in May in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, a University of Michigan sports neurologist, said the research is intriguing but that more work needs to be done. - The Associated Press