asking the right Questions Patient-centred, critical evaluation of clinical products Dr. Chris Oswald graduated from CMCC in 1988 and has been referred to as one of the top 20 future leaders under 40 of the pro- fession by the CCA. He owns and operates one of Toronto’s largest chiropractic/multidisciplinary clinics and has co-authored Stretching for Fitness, Health and Perfor- mance. Oswald was a co-founder of Ergo~health, the first doctor- designed, -developed and-tested, all-Canadian-made product line, and the developer of Muscle Care, the all-natural, scientifically tested, topical pain, inflammation and spasm reliever. To contact him, visit his website www.muscleandback. com, call his head office at 416- 967-ERGO (3746) or call CMCC’s supply centre 416-482-2340 to or- der. Muscle Care launches all over North America in January 2010. eing “critical of everything” was what we prided ourselves on when we were at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) – or whichever chiropractic school we attended. We were always demanding that every clinician offer proof of anything that they taught us. What happened? I graduated in 1988 from CMCC. The only difference between me and many of B my classmates was that I was a second-generation chiropractor. By rights, I should have been the one saying things like “I was adjusted my whole life and it just works.” But, enjoying a good challenge, I still asked questions all day long. My mandate was “proven and predictable” and then I would accept it, only practising that method or that technique if it could be proven or supported. After 16 years in practice I became frustrated with almost every product that we chiropractors were selling in our offices to our patients. These products were less than authentic. Furthermore, we were not doing our research when it came to these prod- ucts. Where were these products made, and, of what materials? Why were some of them breaking down? Our patients were bringing them back to us, unsatisfied, asking for their money back on everything from pillows to back supports and seat cushions to chairs. Many of these products had been designed by groups who were very interested in marketing; in our clinic, we finally discovered that only one of the products we were sell- ing had been scientifically tested. It seemed we had left school and stopped evaluating things, assuming that these products, if they are being sold, must have been tested and proven effective, safe and durable. Wrong! rEsEarCH THE ProdUCTs yoU will sEll Did any of us ever think about requesting clinical or ergonomic lab testing as being man- datory before selling these products in our clinical settings? Did anyone lay their patients on a certain pillow, check for proper alignment and even palpate the neck muscles and joints to see if they were relaxed or under duress? It is our job as practitioners to sell our patients the healthiest most effective solutions to their problems. Research the products you are selling to find out if they have been scientifically and clinically tested. We as chiropractors are spinal specialists. Our practice methods are ergonomic by nature. We provide specific adjustments for every patient we see, so why aren’t we as a profession mandating that only specific scientifically tested products can be supported, recommended, or endorsed by us or our associations? Just as specific proven stretches and exercises need 16 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | FEBRUARY 2010 Continued on Page 20 www.canadianchiropractor.ca Chris Oswald, BSc, DC feature
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