Chiropractors will want to read us anywhere, anytime
First Quarter 2025
(Jan-Mar)
Volume 5, Issue 3 (5-3)
read with your mind, care with your heart
A tale of two paths. [WCCS]
Narrative: The first path for a chiropractic student is to become qualified and build the foundation for all that will be done in practice. There is a secondary path, one where the students find their passion. If this first path is everything you need to be qualified, the second path would be considered anything that you do while you’re in school that helps you to become competent.
This secondary path is the path that will help the student to one day stand in front of people with unconscious competence because they preemptively spent the time and energy to develop themself into the doctor they dreamt of becoming.
Taking time to care for one’s well-being while walking these paths is not optional, it is mandatory.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; World Congress of Chiropractic Students, WCCS; self-care, well-being.
Cite: Boudar JW. A tale of two paths. [WCCS]. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2024;5.2. apcj.net/papers-issue-5-2/#BoudarTwoPaths
A clinical update on lumbar disc degeneration
Abstract: This short paper, by way of an update, summarises several new learnings taken from a quiz published in Medscape based on the work of Ravi Ponnappan.
Six questions of evidence-based relevance worthy of inclusion in the standard ‘low back’ workup of Chiropractic physicians should now include (i) did you suffer from a brain tumour in childhood?, (ii) what are your lipid profiles?, (iii) are you diabetic?, (iv) what is your blood pressure?, (v) do you smoke?, and (vi) is your BMI above normal for your somatotype?
I conclude this overview with the point that platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of patients with lumbar disc herniation is safe and effective.
This represents a non-surgical alternative for patients with lumbar disc degeneration should Chiropractic Adjustments not produce the desired outcomes.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Low Back Pain; lumbar disc degeneration; childhood brain tumour; diabetes; lipid profiles; patient history
Cite: Ebrall P. A clinical update on lumbar disc degeneration. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.4. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-4/#EbrallLBPUpdate
Reader beware: Rapid reviews have a trust issue
Narrative: This paper arose from us finding a significant contradiction in two papers returned during our preparation to write on the topic of whether a carefully conceived adjustment would show physical change in the position of a vertebrae as seen on radiographs.
We discuss the two papers, one a systematic review by Corso et al published as a Rapid Review on commission of the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia and the other was a traditional, well-researched report by Oakley et al. In essence Corso et al ‘found no evidence [for] the use of routine or repeat radiographs to assess the function or structure’ while Oakley et al ‘highlight[ed] current and historical evidence that substantiates that X-rays are not a public health threat’.
Our interest lies in us considering certain radiographs to have high clinical utility to the safe and effective care of the patient, and we use such radiographs as the basis for our ‘companion’ paper on that topic. We also report serial imaging, a practice Corso et al dismisses.
In this paper we conclude that Rapid Reviews are currently weak as indexed in the literature of Chiropractic and should not be relied on to give a definitive perspective.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic, Upper cervical; Spine; Radiograph; X-ray; Clinical utility; adjustment
Cite: Ebrall P, Ierano J. Reader beware: Rapid reviews have a trust issue. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.4. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-4/#EbrallIeranoRapidReview
The power of self-governance within Australian Chiropractic: A pragmatic analysis of the so-called ‘baby-ban’ which must now be resolved
Abstract: This paper applies standard methods of writing history to inform a Pragmatic Analysis of a Ministerial directive to the Chiropractic Board of Australia to reinstate what was introduced then removed by the CBA as an interim ban on Chiropractors manipulating children under 2.
I examine two videos which were lodged by Chiropractors on social media and find they represent responsible, safe Chiropractic care. I report the unreasonable interference on the profession from political medicine which led to the Safer Care Victoria Inquiry and the above mentioned reinstatement of an interim ban after the CBA had undergone due process to examine the matter and issue appropriate and meaningful advice to Australia’s registered Chiropractors.
I note the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is hypocritical in its damning of the SCV Report as failing to show clinical effectiveness when (a) that was not the purpose of the inquiry, and (b) the RACGP’s own practice standards encourage Level 4 evidence which is essentially a consensus of expert opinion of clinical efficacy, as happens within Chiropractic.
My findings support my proposition that ‘the Chiropractic profession in Australia does not represent a danger to public health and has articulated self-governance to a high level such that formal intervention is no longer warranted and cannot be justified’.
My conclusion is that the HMM has sufficient appropriate and detailed information to act wisely right now in the best interests of all Australians, and especially those who choose to exercise their right to consult a Chiropractor by ceasing its discrimination against Chiropractors and returning to the status quo.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; political medicine; paediatrics; registration; legislation; safety; Chiropractic Board of Australia
Cite: Ebrall P. The power of self-governance within Australian Chiropractic: A pragmatic analysis of the so-called ‘baby-ban’ which must now be resolved. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.4. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-4/#EbrallPaediatricAnalysis
An ASRF Research Project
Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Symptoms in a 26-year-old Male Concomitant with Chiropractic Care: A case report
Background: Disordered and inadequate sleep is a growing public health concern. One of the most common sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition that interrupts sleep through multiple episodes of airway collapse and subsequent decrease in oxygen saturation.
With many of the treatments being invasive and the outcomes unreliable, there is a significant need for alternative and effective management options for individuals with OSA. The following case report details the effective management of obstructive sleep apnea in a young adult with chronic pain from previous injuries, with Chiropractic care.
Intervention: The patient underwent a course of Chiropractic care during which he was adjusted two to three times per week using full spine adjusting, Diversified Technique with manual adjusting.
Outcomes: At the completion of his care plan, his CPAP machine reported a 50% decrease in his apnea episodes, and his sleep quality had increased significantly. This was accompanied by notable increases in spinal range of motion tests, resolution of his cervical syndrome, and a decrease in musculoskeletal pain.
Conclusion: This case report indicates that Chiropractic care may be useful in managing sleep apnea, but further research is required to confirm the mechanisms and strength of this effect.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Subluxation; obstructive sleep apnoea.
Cite: Wesdorf J, Postlethwaite R, McIvor C. Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Symptoms in a 26-year-old Male Concomitant with Chiropractic Care: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2024;5.2. apcj.net/papers-issue-5-2/#WesdorfSleepApnoea
Disclaimer
This journal is a professional journal by chiropractors for chiropractors. Readers not fully trained as a chiropractor should not act on their own on any information published in these pages and should always discuss their situation with their chiropractor.
The name 'Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal' is a registered business name with ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
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