Chiropractic Care in Difficult Times
I love my profession and the ability I have as a chiropractor to help people thrive in their body and in their life. During this challenging time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading worldwide, I was reminded of the role chiropractors played a century ago in helping people avoid and survive the deadly influenza.
I wish to share with you this information about the role chiropractors played in reducing the spread, and effectively lowering the mortality rate during that crisis.
Chiropractic and the Flu Pandemic of 1917-1918
One century ago, the worst pandemic in modern history swept the globe. The so-called Spanish Flu of 1918 killed anywhere from 20 million people to as many as 100 million, worldwide. More U.S. servicemen from World War I died of the flu than from battle.
In Davenport, Iowa, however, often called the birthplace of chiropractic medicine, a different narrative emerged. Davenport was hit hard by the flu. Medical doctors there treated 4,953 cases which resulted in 274 deaths. Chiropractors, on the other hand, treated 1,635 cases with only one death. In the state of Iowa as a whole, medical doctors lost one out of every fifteen patients while chiropractors lost only one out of every 789 patients. Had the chiropractors treated every patient, based on these numbers, there would have only been five deaths.
Nationally, chiropractors treated 46,394 patients and had only 54 deaths. In part because of the Spanish Flu pandemic, chiropractic care came into its own.
Chiropractic Care and COVID-19
Chiropractic has always been about maximizing the body’s function. The healthier your nervous system is, the healthier you are. These statistics reveal how effective chiropractic was in treating the world’s worst influenza pandemic of last century, and they indicate the wisdom of chiropractic care in these current times. Chiropractors are listed as an Essential Healthcare Service Provider. One of the reasons is that we help people stay healthy and reduce the burden that is being placed on our hospitals.
Here’s what I’m doing in my office to make it as safe as possible for you to come in for care:
One patient at a time, minimizing waiting room interaction
Sanitizing the table and my hands before & after every patient
Employing single-use face cloths
HEPA Air Purifier
Getting adjusted twice a week myself to make sure I stay healthy to continue taking care of you.
As part of your own self-care…
Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds
Get exercise, especially outside, and take Vitamin D
Online yoga classes: Glo.com and Gaia.com are my favorites
Get more rest: a minimum of 7 1/2 hours sleep a night
Meditate/Pray: Focus on grounding yourself. Fear depletes our immune system. Courage strengthens it.
Maintain healthy eating habits, and drink plenty of pure water. Avoid sugar as it not only depletes our immune system, viruses feed off it
Reduce stress from overindulgence in toxic media
And… see your chiropractor to help ensure your own well-being and that of those close to you. Schedule your appointment today.
Sources:
“The Three Great Survival Factors.” The Official History of Chiropractic in Texas, by Dr Walter R. Rhodes, Texas Chiropractic Assoc., 1978.
“Spanish Flu.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 12 Oct. 2010, www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/1918-flu-pandemic.