feature adjusting Children, Part 2 Scope and safety of practice In part 2, we will address two issues relating to maintaining: i) communication of our care within the chiropractic scope of practice, and ii) safety. I n my experience, challenges often arise from miscommunica-tion or misinterpretation. Both issues stem from a lack of clari-ty in the message. Because we see results in a myriad of expressions of ill health, we often do become known as an alternative for a number of seemingly unrelated conditions such as asthma, colic, ear infections, etc., while we do not per se “treat” these conditions at all. With our patients, we have an opportunity to clarify what we do and dis-cuss the hypothesized mechanisms of how the adjustment impacts physiology. Through education of parents and others, we create a revised understanding of previously held beliefs. Greater understanding usually means greater ownership, involvement and partnership in care. Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock, BSc, DC Dr. Liz Anderson-Peacock’s ex-tensive background includes a multi-decade chiropractic practice that ranks, globally, in the top per-centile in terms of volume and best practices; articles in peer reviewed journals; membership on academic panels; and involvement with regulatory boards. She has taught pediatrics for numerous colleges and groups throughout the world and graduated first in the ICA/ACA pediatric diplomate program in 1996. She‘s the recipient of numer-ous awards and currently delivers keynote lectures and workshops, as well as coaches professionals in the co-operative model. Dr. Liz can be reached at [email protected]. biomeCHaniCS, tHe SPine and funCtion Parents, who are untrained, do not “see” the connec-tion between the “biomechanical problem and a disor-der of the spinal engine and impact on physiological function.” 1 The fact that the evidence base is growing in this area is demonstrated through the texts of Biedermann, 2 Merillo 3,4 and others on neurological integrity through proper spinal function and its impact on brain, im-mune, cognitive/emotional development, growth and physiology. In other words, we should remember that while the infants are unable to speak, they are actually telling us so much when we observe and inquire regard-ing their daily habits. Furthermore, we can engage the parents in the process through educating them on our findings and what those findings mean. According to the research of Spigelblatt, 5,6 chiroprac-tic is the most commonly used alternative health-care provider for a myriad of complaints. Her paper identi-fies the most common reasons parents sought alterna-tive health-care providers – these are noted in Table 1. “System source sought for condition” Respiratory Ears, nose, throat Musculo-skeletal Allergies Skin Gastrointestinal Prevention Percentage parents sought A.M. provider 27% 24% 15% 6% 6% 6% 5% Table 1. Spigelblatt summary table on condi-tions and percentage alternative medicine (A.M.) provider consulted. www.canadianchiropractor.ca 28 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JUNE 2012
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