Running Head: SPINAL HYGIENE! 1. Title: Spinal Degeneration; The Silent Epidemic Why Chiropractors Should Join the Spinal Hygiene Movement!

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Linda Beasley
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1 Running Head: SPINAL HYGIENE! 1 Title: Spinal Degeneration; The Silent Epidemic Why Chiropractors Should Join the Spinal Hygiene Movement! by Dr. Tabor Smith Spinal degeneration pervades our society at unprecedented numbers. While many individuals may think that this condition is something only the elderly must be concerned about, this is no longer the case. In fact, a recent study showed that 37% of twenty-year olds currently already have degeneration present in their spine (Brinjikji et al., 2014). A review of the extant literature indicates that there is a substantial link between spinal degeneration and a sedentary lifestyle (Tomkins-Lane et al., 2013; Buchholz et al., 2012; Tremblay et al., 2010). Since the introduction of computers and cell phones, modern society has become stuck in degenerative postures all day long. Whether a patient is sitting at a desk working on a computer or looking down at a phone for long periods of time, this is an undeniable and fast-growing problem. Unfortunately, adults are not the only ones at risk of spinal degeneration. A relatively recent study from a group of researchers in Scotland found that 9% of ten-year olds showed evidence of spinal degeneration ( Shock over Disc Degeneration, 2010). As young children seem to get less and less exercise and more and more computer and video game time, it is not surprising that their spines are showing signs of damage and decay. Considering this information, the following question must be asked: Is there anything that can be done to combat the devastating effects of spinal decay? This article attempts to

2 ! 2 address this question, positing that there is, in fact, much that can be done to address this widespread issue. In fact, the first step in this process is to take a lesson from another field in healthcare that has done something remarkably similar already: dentistry. In the early 1900s, tooth decay was an epidemic particularly because this was a time when industrialization drove mass food production and processed sugars became a staple part of everyone s diet (Adler et al., 2013). Put plainly, the main job of dentists in this era was simply to pull teeth. In fact, dentists would be so busy in their practices just pulling rotten teeth that they often did not have time for much else, certainly not lecturing their patients on preventive methods. In 1906, a dentist by the name of Dr. Alfred Fones became exhausted with this process, so he invented a way to prevent, or at least reduce, the rampant tooth decay people were experiencing (Risom, 2013). It is important to note that, only a few decades before Dr. Fones revelation, the cause of tooth decay had been discovered. A researcher by the name of Willoughby D. Miller, DDS, MD, discovered that an acid byproduct expelled by bacteria was the cause of tooth decay (Siqueira & Rôças, 2013). After this discovery, many dentists attempted to devise a way to combat this decay, but, often, their motivation was lacking as there was simply too much money to be made in pulling teeth ( Allied Health Services, 1989). 1 It would not be until Dr. Fones (considered to be the father of dental hygiene) trained his cousin to do teeth cleanings in his office that the movement known as dental hygiene began; consequently, the term dental hygienist was also coined during this period (Risom, 2013). At In fact, in 1910, the Ohio College of Dental Surgery created a course to train dentists to better promote oral health, 1 but it was closed down by the dentists themselves who felt that preventative care was too costly for the patient and too time-consuming for themselves (Ibid.).

3 ! 3 first, most dentists did not accept this new theory that tooth decay could be prevented, and, as previously mentioned, some felt threatened by the newness of it and thought they would be put out of business. Of course, the concept of dental hygiene did catch on, and, today, most people live their whole lives with their own teeth because of it. Dentistry is now primarily about preventative care, and, interestingly enough, it is also the second-largest healthcare profession in the world ( NBCE, 2015). The question now, of course, is, What does all this have to do with chiropractic care? Hopefully, the similarities between the rise in dental health and spinal health will soon become obvious. Recall that spinal degeneration is occurring at epidemic proportions in today s society; similarly, in in the early 1900s, dentists were faced with an epidemic about which they knew little, but they, ultimately, addressed this issue to the betterment of modern society. Now, it is time for chiropractors around the world to do something similar for spinal health. It is the view of this author that we should create a world-wide movement making spinal hygiene a household term. The main goal of this movement would be to promote overall spinal health so that chiropractors create a footprint for their profession that is as big or bigger than the one dentistry created for itself over the last 120 years. This is a movement society needs, and if it does not get traction soon, then the health of our next generations may be at stake. Unfortunately, many individuals may worry about the cohesiveness of ideas among all chiropractors as many seem to have such diverse theories and interests; however, spinal health, or hygiene, is a foundational premise among all chiropractic endeavors and, as such, must be addressed by all involved.

4 ! 4 In achieving this goal, a basic layout for this recommend Spinal Hygiene Model is required. If chiropractors and other healthcare professionals begin educating their patients according to these simple concepts, then patient outcomes, practices, and our society overall will likely reap the benefits. To that end, the author proposes that there are three basic concepts of spinal hygiene; these concepts are basic and foundational, so it is reasonable to assume that most professionals will agree on their practicality and medical benefits. Definition of Spinal Hygiene: the set of practices associated with the preservation of the spine, including maintaining spinal health, which involves both home spinal care and regular chiropractic check-ups and adjustments. The Three Foundational Concepts of Spinal Hygiene: 1. The spine should be in a certain alignment. - It is well known that the spine should be straight from the front and should have natural curves from the side. Any anatomy book in the world will have an image of the spine in this proper alignment. 2. The spine should move through a full range of motion. - Decreased range of motion is widely accepted as a negative finding during an exam. The spine should move symmetrically and fully through all three planes of motion. 3. The muscles around the spine should be strong and fit. - Postural and core muscles are a vital part of spinal health. The muscles around the spine should be balanced and strong.

5 ! 5 Dr. Tabor Smith is a practicing Chiropractor in Houston TX. His practice members not only receive top-notch chiropractic care, they also receive a unique and very valuable education in spinal hygiene. Dr. Smith is a trailblazer in the subject of spinal hygiene and holds many events and lectures on the subject. Dr. Smith owns and runs two of the largest chiropractic offices in the state of Texas, where he has treated thousands of patients and developed some of the life changing lessons that he teaches today. If you d like to learn more about spinal hygiene and how you can educate your patients, build retention, and grow your practice, then visit References Adler, C. J., Dobney, K., Weyrich, L. S., Haak, W., Cooper, A., Kaidonis, J., &... Alt, K. W. (2013). Sequencing ancient calcified dental plaque shows changes in oral microbiota with dietary shifts of the Neolithic and Industrial revolutions. Nature Genetics, 45(4), Allied health services. (1989). Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, 18(4), Brinjikji, W., Luetmer, P. H., Comstock, B., Bresnahan, B. W., Chen, L. E., Deyo, R. A.,... Jarvik, J. G. (2014). Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal

6 ! 6 degeneration in asymptomatic populations. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 36(4), Buchholz, A. C., Horrocks, J., Ginis, K. A., Bray, S. R., Craven, B. C., Hicks, A. L.,... Wolfe, D. L. (2012). Changes in traditional chronic disease risk factors over time and their relationship with leisure-time physical activity in people living with spinal cord injury. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 37(6), NBCE: About chiropractic. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2017, from about_chiropractic/ Risom, L. (2013). Dental hygiene at 100: who was Dr. Fones? Access ADHA, 27(1), Shock Over Disc Degeneration in 10-Year Olds (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2017, from journals.lww.com/backletter/citation/2004/01000/ Shock_Over_Disc_Degeneration_in_10_Year_Olds_But.1.aspx Siqueira, J. F., & Rôças, I. N. (2013). Microbiology and treatment of acute apical abscesses. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 26(2), Tomkins-Lane, C. C., Lafave, L. Z., Parnell, J. A., Krishnamurthy, A., Rempel, J., Macedo, L. G., &... Andreas, Y. M. (2013). The spinal stenosis pedometer and nutrition lifestyle intervention (SSPANLI) randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 14(1), Tremblay, M. S., Colley, R. C., Saunders, T. J., Healy, G. N., & Owen, N. (2010). Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 35(6),

Chiropractic Healthcare. What, How, & Why

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