April 2008

The chiropractic Anteater

Device helps DCs avoid hand injuries from anterior adjustments

In many ways, Dr. Rick Tsai's story is typical. After running a high-volume practice for several years, his right hand began hurting as a result of performing anterior adjustments. Such problems are common among DCs, who often adopt a grin-and-bear it attitude until the pain becomes so severe that it can actually threaten their practice.

At first, that's what Tsai did -- "live" with the pain and hope it didn't develop into arthritis or a disabling condition. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make. "For over 100 years, doctors of chiropractic have been sacrificing their hands for the benefit of their patients' health," he explained. "I assumed at first that it was a sacrifice I'd have to make as well."

What changed Tsai's mind was the realization that his patients would suffer the most if trauma to his hand forced him to stop giving anterior adjustments.

That's when his story stopped being typical, because he set out to do something about this all-too-common problem faced by chiropractors. Eventually, he developed the Anteater, a small device he would slip over his hand before giving an adjustment. Designed to mimic the shape and feel of a human hand curled in to a half-fist, the Anteater allowed Tsai to give anterior adjustments for all adjustments ranging from the 1st thoracic to the 5th lumbar without putting stress on his hand.

Just as important to Tsai was the fact that the device actually made for a better adjustment. Its rigid structure and strength permitted deep adjustments to better correct subluxations and the rubber pads -- thicker than the flesh on his hand -- were more comfortable for patients than the traditional empty hand anterior adjustment.

"If this had been around 15 years ago, I wouldn't be suffering with arthritis in my hand," Tsai admitted. "With the Anteater, chiropractors can now eliminate permanent damage sustained to their hand, while performing better adjustments than they have ever done by hand alone. New chiropractors can avoid this wear and tear in the first place. Doctors who once avoided the anterior adjustment can now perform it with the peace of mind that they are not forfeiting their hand in exchange for patient wellness."

Doctors who use his device are quick to sing its praises. "I couldn't believe how easy it was to adjust even my toughest patients," reported Frank LeDonne, DC. Another, Rowdy C. Abshire, explained that "after breaking my right ring finger in an accident, I started to panic about the welfare of my practice. Thanks to the Anteater, I was able to continue adjusting my patients without delay and with confidence."

Gary J. Weinstein, DC, gave another glowing report: "After 23 years in practice, the Anteater now allows me to get those difficult anteriors! Patients love the results and my hand will last another 23!"

At the recent Parker Seminar in Las Vegas, doctors flocked to Tsai's booth to try out the device, and to be on the receiving end of its benefits as well. "I adjusted probably 200 people that weekend," Tsai recalls. "I completely sold out of the product at the show and the doctors were amazed. Deans of three schools were adjusted and loved it. They asked about stocking them in their bookstores for students."

Terry A. Rondberg, DC, president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, received an adjustment and was impressed. "This is a remarkable tool for all DCs," he said. "It slips on and off with the ease of a glove, enhances the patient's experience, and protects the chiropractor. There doesn't appear to be any downside to this!"

For Tsai, the Anteater is just one more way he found to express his dedication to chiropractic, which he says saved his life and gave it meaning.

Like so many others, Tsai's first encounter with chiropractic was as a patient. While attending college at the University of Pittsburgh -- and considering a career as a medical doctor -- he seriously injured his low back by herniating two discs. "It was all downhill from there," he relates. "For eight months I lay around with some of the most intense pain I'd ever had in my life. My body weight dropped from 240 pounds to 170. My left leg was constantly on fire. It was also very weak and the muscle began to atrophy."

But the worst was yet to come. When he began to lose bladder control, he explored every type of medical treatment he could find. "For that long eight months I was given pain pills, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, MRIs, piles of X-rays -- but with no relief. At my wits end, I finally saw a chiropractor and he changed my life!"

After a few adjustments, Tsai began to feel some relief and although he knew he faced a "long road back to getting healthy" he had hope for the first time since his injury. For him, "it was nothing short of miraculous!"

Finally, he returned to college but no longer wanted to be a medical doctor. "It was as if all of the sudden I had found my purpose," he says. "I wanted to help heal the sick but was never gung-ho about prescribing drugs. I never knew that such a powerful force could be unleashed by the simple touch of a hand. This healing art fit with my philosophy of natural health perfectly. Since then it has been my goal to teach everyone about the natural healing power of chiropractic!"

He's been doing just that since opening up his office in 1994, in Darlington, Penn. With the development of the Anteater, he not only found a way to help patients but also to contribute to the profession that means so much to him.

To learn more about the Anteater visit www.anteateradjust.com