Your success!!! Ultra-precise adjustments Easily duplicated Our technology Make the move to computer assisted chiropractic. Spinal Cord Injury Continued from Page 12 Benefits from technology credibility Extremely user-friendly instruments Let the technology speak for itself! FREE Introductory trainings spinealignchiro.com Contact your Spine-Align representative today! [email protected] 1 888 904-7207 reduced the number of spinal cord inju-ries in motor vehicle crashes.” There is still work to be done, how-ever, to bring ThinkFirst, and initiatives like it, closer to fulfilling the vision of completely abolishing traumatic spinal cord (and brain) injury. Even to meet its goal of measurable reductions in these types of injuries, ThinkFirst must con-tinue to partner with volunteers and organizations who are equipped to get the right messages out. This is an op-portunity for a chiropractor who is interested in supporting prevention initiatives by volunteering, and/or by starting a ThinkFirst chapter in his/her community. “We need to reach a larger num-ber of participants with specific edu-cational programs about avoidance of risk-taking behaviour,” notes Dr. Tator. “For example, the damaging mixture of alcohol and water activities, or alcohol and snow activities, requires greater emphasis.” For chiropractors who work with athletes at any level he adds, “Detecting spinal instability in athletes is another important area of prevention.” Gleaning an understanding of those who live with SCI and the nature of their injuries is the first step to contributing one’s expertise as a practitioner to this costly area of health care, and its many devastating effects. Much work has been done, but much more is needed in the areas of care and rehabilitation, preven-tion and research. According to the Ca-nadian Paraplegic Association – a group whose mission it is to assist those liv-ing with spinal cord injury by providing information, assistive equipment, em-ployment and more – there’s plenty that can be done and it begins with knowl-edge and awareness. • My sincere thanks go to all who partici-pated in this article, including Sean Pothier (who is actually a brain injury survivor but shares many of the challenges and needs as well as the hope and courage of SCI survi-vors) for his candid participation. I would also like to thank Rebecca Nesdale-Tucker, executive director for ThinkFirst Canada, for her assistance. For article with all ref-erences used by contributors, please visit www.canadianchiropractor.ca. www.canadianchiropractor.ca I nc.
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor May 2011: Page 34
