Chiropractic Research, 2009 I n October, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) held a two-day research symposium and colloquium in Toronto, where our most accomplished re- searchers presented their latest work. An eager group of field practitioners, students and faculty enjoyed CMCC’s hospitality for the event, where an abundance of research in a variety of areas – all of which can have an impact on the way we care for our patients – was presented! The task of summarizing the information from both days in one short article is daunting, if not impossible. I will focus on the first day of the conference, which was titled: “Managing Patient Health: Pain and Beyond.” This broad title suggests a vari- ety of potential topics, which was exactly what attendees enjoyed. Dr. John J. Triano, dean of graduate education and research programs at CMCC, wel- comed the group and introduced the main concept for the day – a series of presentations covering a variety of topics with the unified goal of helping us understand and address pain clinically, all in the larger context of improving the overall health of our patients. Each presentation was roughly 45 minutes in length. I will try to capture some of the highlights for those who were unable to attend. dr. Shawn thistle is the founder and president of research review Service inc., an online, subscription- based service designed to help busy practitioners to integrate current, relevant scientific evidence into their practice. Shawn graduated from CMCC and holds an hon- ours degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University. he also holds a certificate in Contemporary Medi- cal acupuncture from McMaster University, and is a Certified active release techniques (art®) pro- vider. For more information about the research review Service, visit www.researchreviewservice.com. PATIENTS’ CLINICAL PROFILES – DR. SILVANO MIOR • Dr. Mior discussed our current understanding of neck and back pain patient profiles from an epidemiological perspective. • We know neck and back pain is the most common problem encountered in clinical practice, increasing to more than $60 billion in direct expenses in the United States. • Despite this increased spending, there has not been an improvement in health status or outcomes. • The majority of patients who seek care from chiropractors: have pain with no or some limited movement (most commonly musculoskeletal in nature), live in urban centres, have higher education, are between 25 and 54 years of age (less than 10 per cent are children), and are in excellent general health (compared to those who visit physiotherapists). • The utilization rate for chiropractic in Canada varies by province, but has remained relatively stable for quite some time (approximately 12 per cent). NUTRITIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL APPROACHES TO MANAGING HEALTH – DR.HEATHER TICk • Dr. Tick discussed the concept of functional medicine as it relates to illness medi- cine and wellness paradigms. • The role of stress in the development and proliferation of pain syndromes was explored in relation to the concepts of homeostasis and allostasis (maintaining a system through change). • A functional medicine approach includes: o environmental inputs – nutrition, micronutrients o immune balance and inflammation o gastrointestinal health o structural imbalance o energy production and oxidative stress o hormone and neuroendocrine imbalance o detoxification and biotransformation o stress, spirituality and the mind-body connection. FASCIAL MECHANISMS OF PAIN – DR.JOHN J. TRIANO • Fascia permeates the body, surrounds organs, muscles, bones and nerve fibres. 44 • Canadian ChiropraCtor | dECEMBEr 2009 Continued on Page 62 www.canadianchiropractor.ca Shawn thistle, BKin (hons), dC, CSCS
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