September 2004

Cosmetic surgery and chiropractic care

by Dr. Eric Plasker

The cosmetic surgery industry is booming right now. People of all ages want to look their best and take years off of their appearance, and they are spending billions of dollars a year to do it. In many of these cases, the surgery is not covered by insurance and people are willing to pay out of pocket for the perfect body, perfect nose, and youthful appearance.

Where does chiropractic fit into this craze? Should chiropractic be the first dollar people spend for their health care or should it be the last? Consider the following information as you decide the answer to these questions so that when the situation arises you are prepared to communicate the value of chiropractic to your patients so they can make the right decision.

The healing process requires healthy nerve supply. When a person goes in for major surgery, which many of these procedures are, the body must undergo an extensive healing process. This process requires time and a healthy nerve supply to the injured area. Nerve compromise can slow the healing process and cause a less than optimum result. Chiropractic should be the first dollar people spend, not the last.

Second, chronic nerve interference can cause muscles to atrophy and the skin to whither. Have you ever seen your patients with chronic nerve interference and the effect it had on their tissues? Chronic pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause the muscles in the leg to atrophy. In severe cases, the skin can change color and become shriveled.

Can you picture people who spend tens of thousands of dollars on these procedures without taking care of their posture, spine and nerve system? As they grow older their posture grows kyphotic while the deterioration of the bones, joints and nerves causes them to be inactive and in pain. How young will they really look with a twisted spine and a pulled back face? Should chiropractic be the first dollar or the last?

In both of these cases, chiropractic should be the first dollar, as it should be in nearly every case you can think of, other than a life‑threatening emergency. What condition doesn't heal better with healthy nerve supply? How much deterioration should occur in the spine and nerves before people make their spinal well‑being a priority?

Chiropractic care is important during every stage of growth and development throughout life so that people can live their lives without limits over the course of their entire lifetime. We've all had hundreds of patients tell us that their chiropractic care helps them feel younger. Chiropractic should be the first dollar people spend, not the last.

When people go in for cosmetic surgery, or any other surgical procedure for that matter they need to understand the importance of having their spine and nerve system healthy. As chiropractors, it's our job to teach them. And, it's our responsibility and great honor to become family wellness leaders who teach the importance of this message in our communities.

(Eric Plasker, DC, founder of The Family Practice, is a nationally recognized speaker and educator best known for rallying chiropractors around the "Lifetime Care For Everyone" [LCfE] and Family Practice visions in the chiropractic profession. The "Live Your Life without Limits" chiropractic marketing program is helping DCs attract more people to lifetime care who learn about the value chiropractic can have on their well‑being and quality of life. For details about this program and other seminar, coaching, training, or product information, call toll‑free 866‑532‑3327, ext. 105. Or visit the Family Practice website at www.thefamilypractice.net.)

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