While most people know nutrition is important, there is rampant misinformation about nutrition, various illnesses, weight loss, and overall health.
Doctors of chiropractic, especially those who offer instrument adjusting, are well-positioned to help clear up some of that misinformation, and, in the process, help patients live more productive and comfortable lives.
A 2007 survey of DCs practicing in New York determined that, “Eighty percent of the respondents used some form of counseling in their practices but desired to have more knowledge in the area of clinical nutrition.”1 Here, it is probable that “some form of counseling” represents all manner of conversations, including discussions about foods to include or avoid and suggestions to make use of particular supplements.
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) promotes nutrition as a critical part in a chiropractic practice, and, in anarticle on the topic of chiropractic practice and nutrition said, “Since its inception in 1974, the ACA Council on Nutrition has been striving to promote continuing education in nutrition as an adjunct to the practice of chiropractic.”2
Instrument adjusting and nutrition can be a powerful treatment combination. For example, patients with osteoporosis often benefit from instrument adjustments because instruments allow the DC to provide precise, targeted adjustments. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation:
“Nutrition and bone, muscle, and joint health are closely related. A healthy diet can help you prevent and manage osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal disorders by assisting in the production and maintenance of bone. Conversely, if you’re not getting the right nutrients, you’re putting yourself at greater risk for bone, muscle, and joint disease.” 3
A patient with osteoporosis who is receiving both instrument adjustments and consistent, useful nutritional counseling from a trusted DC will likely have a better outcome than a patient who is only receiving the adjustments.
All patients will benefit from a well-rounded diet, but the specifics of what “good” nutrition is will vary depending on the person, their activity level, and many other factors. For example, soft tissue mobilization with an instrument may be the most beneficial treatment for some patients, while others will see most improvement from an adjustment delivered with an electromechanical instrument. Providing each patient with an individual treatment plan complemented by specific nutritional counseling will usually yield the best results.
Nutritional counseling can also provide another means of income for DCs—patients may be willing to pay for the service as part of their treatments. Some chiropractors also find they can earn additional income by providing access to the high-quality supplements their patients may need.
1 Burke J, Holtzman D. “Nutritional counseling in the chiropractic practice: a survey of New York practitioners.” J Chiropr Med. 2007:6(1);27-31.
2 Rosen-Fox, E. “Advances in Chiropractic Nutrition.” American Chiropractic Association. http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=4083.
3 International Osteoporosis Foundation. “Nutrition.” Iofbhonehealth.org. http://www.iofbonehealth.org/nutrition.