CCA AND PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS LAUNCH “BEST FOOT FORWARD” One in three Canadians over 65 years of age are just a step away from falling, and that slip, trip or stumble often has serious and costly consequences. Elderly Canadians are nine times more likely to suffer an injury from a fall leading to hospitalThe message we want to get across is – don’t let a fall get you down. Slips,trips and stumbles are preventable,” concludes Dr. Gleberzon.ization and even death. That is why the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), and its provincial member associations, are launching Best Foot Forward, a public education program aimed at preventing falls by seniors. The program follows a report by the Public Health Agency of Canada report. The report describes the debilitating, and even deadly, consequences of seniors’ falls. “Falling among older Canadians is a serious public health concern,” says CCA President, Dr. Richard Gehrke, DC. “More than 90 per cent of all hip fractures in seniors are caused by a fall, and one-fi fth of those seniors will die within a year of the fracture.” “We want to keep older Canadians on their feet and enjoying their independence as long as possible,” says Dr. Gehrke. “A fall is far more likely to mean surgery, lengthy rehabilitation and restricted activities for an older Canadian, than for a younger one. It’s a domino effect that can lead to isolation and inactivity. That’s something we want to help prevent.” “BesAspects of prevention that most older Canadians can do easily,” says Dr. Brian Gleberzon, DC, who acted as a consultant on the national Report on Seniors’ Falls in Canada and who helped develop the program. “Preventing a fall can be as simple as changing your footwear, taking off your reading glasses before walking to the next room or removing slippery scatter mats.” A self-assessment quiz and illustrated prevention tip sheets, which examine household hazards, strength, health risks, and balance, as well as safety-conscious Behaviour, can be obtained at no charge from the CCA or downloaded from the Association website at www. Ccachiro.org. Prevention presentations to groups can also be arranged by calling the Canadian Chiropractic Association at 416-585-7902 or 1-877-222-9303. “Best Foot Forward marshals the expertise of the chiropractic profession to bring practical prevention advice to older Canadians across the country,” says Dr. Gehrke. “ Chiropractors are experts in muscle, bone and joint health, and grassroots practitioners are in an excellent position to bring the prevention message to their communities.” t Foot Forward offers practical advice on many PRO ATHLETES UNDERSTAND CHIROPRACTIC All of us have heard the saying “no pain – no gain”, particularly when it comes to physical training and exercise projects. If you knew, as an athlete, that you could dramatically improve your athletic prowess with one basic program that would help remove pain, turn training into a breeze, and benefit your performance, what would you do? There are millions of professional and amateur athletes today who are adding chiropractic visits to their workouts to help them achieve their goals! A recent study found that athletes who underwent regular chiropractic care enjoyed a 10 per cent improvement in their overall performance time and results compared to athletes who were not under chiropractic care. World-class athletes like Evander Holyfield, Emmitt Smith, Terrell Owens, Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, the U.S. Woman’s Soccer Team, and others, know that chiropractic care can offer the extra edge needed for optimal athletic performance. In fact, many amateur and professional athletes would not consider competing without being adjusted by their chiropracto“You obviously can’t compete at your fullest if you’re not in alignment. Chiropractic is essential for me and my training routine,” says World and Olympic Decathlon Champion, Dan O’Brien. “Bodybuilders and fitness people have been using chiropractors very extensively in order to stay healthy and fit. I found it was better to go to a chiropractor before you get injured. We are a perfect team – the world of fitness and the world of chiropractors.” This comment comes from none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger A ten per cent improvement in performance is a major increase for anyone, especially an athlete. It could mean the difference between running a ten-second hundred-meter dash or an eleven-second hundred-meter dash. For a true runner, that is the difference between winning a gold medal or not, or even making it in the top three. The best athletes and competitors push their physical and mental limits day by day. They also keep careful records of their function and performance as they work on wellness and increased abilities. Great athletes do not wait until they get sick or injured because, then, it’s too late. They are always fine-tuning their total body with chiropractic wellness and adjustment programs, and this should be true of any dedicated athlete.r. On Friday, February 1, 2008, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto held a research symposium to recognize the results of some of the “What if I could…..?” questions that have led chiropractors into exciting research activities. Speakers included Dr. John Triano, Dr. Marion McGregor, Dr. Mark Erwin, Dr. Deborah Kopanski-Giles and many more. Speakers presented fi ndings on clinical techniques as well as biomechanics and cellular biology. Health policy topics ranged from interdisciplinary health dynamics and inter-professional education and practice, to epidemiology and health services research. The day was a resounding success that challenged students and practising chiropractors alike to continually ask “What if I could….?” Along with the magnifi cent basic science research that was reported upon, speakers encouraged the profession to abandon isolationism and form interprofessional networks. It is within these networks that chiropractors can lead in the discovery and delivery of quality, patientcentred care. HORIZONS CHIROPRATIQUE UQTR From February 1-3, 2008, the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Department of Chiropractic held its annual symposium to discuss the art, science and philosophy of chiropractic. The three days of intense practical and didactic sessions included discussions of vaccinations as well as pediatric chiropractic. This event was a spectacular success, including speakers such as Dr. Mary Tocco and chiropractic couple, Dr. Peter Kevorkian and Dr. Pattie Giuliano, from Boston, Massachusetts. February 29 and March 1, the Delta East Hotel in Toronto saw the team behind Chiropractic Pure and Powerful once again offer a fulfi lling two days of inspirational and educational words to keep chiropractors going in these days of change and challenge. Chiropractors and chiropractic assistants alike gathered to hear a powerful lineup of speakers including Dr. Stephen LaFay, Dr. Liz Anderson-Peacock and Dr. Gilles LaMarche. The theme of this year’s conference dealt with the commitment to tell the truth about chiropPARKER SEMINARS, 2008 – LAS VEGAS, NEVADA ractic, every day! On February 7-9, another successful Parker Seminars installment was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Amidst the clinging of slot machines at the Las Vegas Hilton, chiropractors and exhibitors from around the planet gathered to discuss the art, science and philosophy of the profession. Speakers included Don Nixdorf, John DeMartini, Patrick Gentempo, Mark Sanna and Mitch Mally. Topics ranged from treatment and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries to surviving health-care reform and, also, chiropractic marketing, practice growth and retention, and other management issues. The conference was notable for the enthusiasm and pace upheld by attendees, organizers and exhibitors alike and was a perfect venue to forge new partnerships and renew old friendships. Many thanks to all who worked at organizing this mammoth meeting and special acknowledgement should be offered to Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, the president of the Parker College of Chiropractic and Parker Seminars and Canadian DC, Dr. Gilles Lamarche , the Director of Parker Seminars.