World Health Day is on 7th April, marking the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. The theme this year is ‘My health, my right’. According to the World Health Organization, this theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere, to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
Guidance from the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization has recently published guidance for non-surgical management of chronic low back pain. Informed by research evidence, it lists interventions that health care workers should and should not use.
There is no magic bullet for chronic low back pain, no perfect cure without danger of side effects, but there are approaches that can make a difference. Among its recommendations, the World Health Organization encourages clinicians to educate patients to support knowledge and self-care. It recommends use of exercise as a therapy, and also spinal manipulative therapy and massage. These are strategies we apply within the practice.
Further information about this guidance can be found on the World Health Organization website.
Proposed Merger of University Colleges
The AECC University College and the University College of Osteopathy are proposing to merge. The University College of Osteopathy has been training osteopaths for more than one hundred years and the AECC University College has been training chiropractors for more than fifty.
People often ask what the difference is between an osteopath and a chiropractor. Since working in the north of England, our response has often been to say that they are analogous with rugby league and rugby union. In many ways they are similar, they use their hands, they have a shared history, but they have been opposing traditions. We welcome cooperation between the professions.
The Society for Promoting Chiropractic Education
At Furness Chiropractic we sometimes find people travel a long way to see us because of the small number of chiropractors practising in Cumbria. On other occasions we are not able to see people as quickly as we would like because of demand. In order to increase the number of chiropractors, more training facilities are needed. The Society for Promoting Chiropractic Education aims to improve access to chiropractic care by helping universities establish undergraduate programmes and by increasing awareness of chiropractic as a career path.
For further information please go to: https://chiroeducation.org
Five Years of Furness Chiropractic
Furness Chiropractic was officially opened by Professor Haymo Thiel, Principal of the AECC University College, on 21st April 2018. This photograph was taken after the opening. It is of Francis and his brothers on a warm and sunny Piel Island.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Those who experience long term pain appreciate the impact it can have on quality of life. If we better understand pain, we can use that understanding to help us manage it. Flippin’ Pain is a public health campaign which aims to change the way we think about, talk about and treat persistent pain. For further details please visit: www.flippinpain.co.uk.
Chiropractic Patient Voice
Chiropractic Patient Voice is a new organization linked to the Royal College of Chiropractors. It aims to enable chiropractic patients to meet with others, share their experiences of chiropractic care, contribute their views, and support the improvement of chiropractic services. We are looking forward to hearing more in due course.
Manibus Review
The World Federation of Chiropractic included a review of Manibus in its Quarterly World Report (July 2022, p. 56). Manibus was described as “an excellent treatise” and as a “must read” for those interested in the history of manipulative practice.
We would like to thank the World Federation of Chiropractic for this review.
Manibus
We are pleased to announce the publication of Manibus: Developments in the History of Joint Manipulative Practice by Francis Wilson, our chiropractor. If you would like to learn more about the history of hands-on treatments in medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic we suggest taking a look.
The Manibus project is not-for-profit and privately funded by its author. It is a free web-based resource dedicated to those of all professions who practise joint manipulation in the hope that it will foster increased understanding and co-operation.
Living with COVID-19
As the Government reduces regulations relating to COVID-19, at Furness Chiropractic we remain vigilant. Please bear in mind that some of our patients are clinically vulnerable. Please do not bring the virus into the practice if you can help it.