June 2004

New York Guard chiropractors attend seminar

Technique expert hoped to repay group's 9‑11 relief efforts

Florida Chiropractor, Alan M. Creed, DC, one of the leading authorities on chiropractic instrument adjusting, gave a seminar March 30, 2004, to the chiropractors of the Chiropractic Services Unit (CSU) of the 244th Medical Clinic of the New York Guard (NYG).

Dr. Creed, himself a US Army veteran and a past‑commander of a veterans post, donated his lecture to the NYG as an act of appreciation for the service the Guard rendered to the participants of the post‑9‑11 operations. Creed had read a Chiropractic Journal article about the activities of the NYG and the 244th Medical Clinic in assisting the New York State and federal forces on the days following the terrorist attack in New York City. When he read that the CSU had rendered more than 200 chiropractic treatments each day during the crisis, he felt he had to perform a patriotic act to contribute his share to the overall effort.

Creed was welcomed to Camp Smith by Lt.Com. Patrick Delamere, DC, the NYG Chief of Chiropractic Services and Maj. Floyd Miller, DC, the Deputy Chief. In their welcoming remarks, Lt.Com. Delamere and Maj. Miller told Creed, "It is a proud day in the history of the CSU to host his seminar. The chiropractors of the NYG were the first fully‑commissioned chiropractors in any military organization and the fact that we could host such a prestigious seminar is a further sign that chiropractic and the military are to be partners in the 21st Century."

Creed's seminar stressed the various techniques of specific spinal correction with emphasis on the established protocols for evaluation, treatment, and assessment of the soldiers' health issues. He started by discussing the issues from the chiropractor's viewpoint, exploring and how hard each technique is on the doctor's body and how doctors can improve their own comfort level so they can continue treating soldiers over a long career.

He then looked at the topic from the patient's viewpoint: What is the soldier's experience of the treatment? Are they able to participate in the doctor's style of treatment and do they feel it addresses their needs?

In closing, Creed discussed technical aspects, including whether the technique is relevant to the soldier's condition; are pain and function addressed at the same time; the short‑term needs and outcomes as well as the long‑term effects and benefits to the soldier.

The seminar was sponsored free of charge by Foot Levelers, Inc. of Roanoke, Virginia and Impac Instruments of Salem, Oregon. Foot Levelers and Impac provided Creed's transportation and lodging and further provided the instruments and visual aids that made the seminar possible. Continuing Education Credits, as mandated by New York State law, were provided by Texas Chiropractic College.

Reaction to the seminar by CSU chiropractors was enthusiastic and overwhelming. Cpt. David Hecht, DC, said, "I feel that both my private patients and the soldiers of New York State will be better served by the methods I learned at this seminar." Cpt. Richard Romeo, DC, said, "By going easier on my own body, I will be a better treating physician over the long run."

Cpt. Richard Zipperman, DC, explained that "By utilizing a multi‑technique approach, the soldiers will experience more rapid relief from pain along with improved function." Cpts. Evan Delman, DC, Charles Marino, DC and Barry Pinchefsky, DC also praised Creed and his techniques. They all expressed the hope that his seminars will become a regular feature of service in the New York Guard. The 244th Medical Clinic is commanded by Col. Richard H. Bard, MD.