August 2009

Chiropractic on a Navy aircraft carrier

by Dr. John Solan

In April, 2008, while attending a New Beginnings chiropractic philosophy weekend in New Jersey, a chiropractor from Ohio told me how he was taking care of soldiers at the U.S. Army base near his home. I was inspired to do the same in my own neck of the woods.

I contacted the local Navy base and suggested we start a program where I could go there a couple of times a month and adjust base personnel. The person in charge of the medical department was very open to the idea and we've been working together for the last six months.

The most common complaints among service people are spinal problems of one type or another. There is no mystery surrounding the causes of these ailments -- the rigors of military duty are extremely demanding. Heavy ruck sacks, body armor, ammunition and, in the case of the corpsman (military EMS), their emergency medical kits on top of all the rest. All told, they may carry as much as 150 lbs. of "extra" weight. I don't have to tell you what this can do to a spine.

As most of us already know, people who serve others are usually pretty humble, and don't seek accolades. In my opinion and in my experience, this can be said of every sailor, soldier and Marine I have ever met. They are thankful and grateful for our care and our time. When you speak to them about their experiences in battle and in the every day grind of serving in the armed forces, you come to realize a whole new level of sacrifice.

One of the Navy corpsman I worked with was shot through the knee while stationed with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. Another sailor told me of his experiences while carrying heavy gear while on patrol as a corpsman. Most homes and other buildings in Iraq are little compounds surrounded by 10-foot high walls. You can imagine the forces exerted when jumping from them with a full load of gear. This corpsman told me this was the normal routine while on patrol with the Marines. He spent the last 10 months of his tour enduring excruciating pain in his thoracic spine. Ironically, his uncle is a chiropractor. He knew what he needed, but there are no chiropractors commissioned in the military.

In an effort to reach more sailors and Marines on active duty, I approached one of the officers I was adjusting on a regular basis to see if it would be possible to get on one of the ships when it came to port. Some ships have around 50 Navy personnel while others have thousands -- and they all need chiropractic care.

Two weeks later, an amphibious assault carrier was in port. This particular ship, the U.S.S. Wasp, has around 1,100 on board and they were trying to make up time lost because of two consecutive days of snow storms. That meant five days of back-breaking work crammed into three days.

We made the arrangements to go out to the ship where fellow chiropractor Tom Kelly, DC, and I adjusted about 200 sailors and Marines over a four-hour period. I asked everyone I adjusted that day if they had ever been to a chiropractor before and there were only three of four who answered yes. Every single person we saw that day was amazed at the power of the chiropractic adjustment. Just hard-working service men and women in the hands of two chiropractors who were trying to give back something to those who give so much to us.

Throughout the day onboard the Wasp we were accompanied by one of the ship's doctors, Dr. Matt, a DO who was very interested in what we were doing. He explained that he learned some types of "manipulation" in school but rarely used it in practice. This didn't diminish his interest however and he asked many questions while we adjusted, and took numerous pictures. Eventually, toward the end of the day when things were slowing a bit, Dr. Matt got on the table and Dr. Kelly gave him his first chiropractic adjustment. You could see the enthusiasm in his eyes and I explained to him that he could very soon be the busiest person on ship if he began using what he had learned. Until chiropractors are commissioned into the service, an osteopath is the closest thing the military can offer.

Later, Chief Chris gave us a full tour of the ship, from the bridge to the well deck, where they launch landing craft, amphibious tanks and hovercraft right out the stern of the ship. We were even greeted with great enthusiasm by Captain Fillion, who expressed his gratitude for bringing chiropractic to the ship.

We left the U.S.S. Wasp shortly thereafter having had an experience of a lifetime. Two months later, during Fleet Week in New York City, we had the opportunity to go on board the U.S.S. Iwo Jima, a sister ship to the Wasp. This time around, we were accompanied by other chiropractors and the dozen of us adjusted about 500 to 600 sailors and Marines -- including the captain of the ship who received the first chiropractic adjustment of his life.

I encourage others to consider this service to our military personnel. To say it is fulfilling is an understatement. Their appreciation and humility leave me with a renewed understanding of what it means to serve others. So, give, love and serve out of your own abundance!

(Dr. John Solan is a 2000 graduate of Life University and practices in Middletown, N.J. He is happy to talk to any doctors wanting more information on how to volunteer service to the military. He can be reached at 732-747-4646.)