Chiropractic

It is safe to say chiropractic is the most accepted form of alternative medicine in the world today.  There are schools, studies, and clinics all dedicated to this art, but popularity does not come without controversy.  Even with all the money and research being poured into chiropractic, the practice is still surrounded with controversy.  From fraud to murder, Chiropractors have dealt with it all.

The biggest problem in the chiropractic world is fraud.  Dozens of chiropractors have been arrested for practicing without a license.  Not only is this surprising -- due to the availability of classes -- it is downright scary.  If not preformed correctly, a visit to the Chiropractor could be fatal.  Although this reality is frightening, these unlicensed mad men should not shape the public opinion on chiropractic.

Chiropractic Logo

What I am interested in is the facts.  Can a chiropractor kill me?  There have not been any cases (that I have found) where someone has died as a direct result of chiropractic malpractice, but the same cannot be said about paralysis.  In this story, a Canadian woman woman sued a chiropractor for half a billion dollars, but even this is not concrete evidence.  Some researchers claim there are no significant benefits of chiropractic, while others claim it is the root of all cures; tt seems there are two sides to every aspect of Chiropractic.

Daniel David Palmer, the father of American chiropractic, is a subject of much controversy himself.  He asserted chiropractic is a spiritual and mystic art, and as we have learned, the words spirit and mystical are not thrown around very often in the medical world.  Many modern Chiropractors disassociate themselves  with the spiritual aspect of the practice, but mysticism's place in the foundation of chiropractic cannot be ignored.

I must admit: I ask a friend to crack my back every now and then, but my experience with professional chiropractic is nonexistent.  It is certainly something I am open to trying, but I cannot recommend the practice before I try it.

Acupuncture

The practice of Acupuncture - estimated to be 2,500 years old - dates back to ancient China.  The ancient Chinese were a curious culture, constantly pursuing both spiritual and physical truths.  Whether it was their hunt for eternal life or experimentation with opium, the Chinese explored the human body and mind like no culture before, or after, them.  The science of Acupuncture focuses on the concept of qi, or chi, an undetectable energy that flows through all life forms.  The Acupuncturist inserts thin needles into defined 'Acupuncture Points' in order to channel and balance the body's qi.  But despite this practice's ancient roots, besides treatment for pain and nausea, there is little physical or scientific evidence that exemplifies the concrete benefits of Acupuncture.

Pinhead - not actual Acupuncture

Acupuncturists across the globe have been practicing for years, treating everything from depression to high blood pressure, but sadly there is little evidence that proves Acupuncture to be a effective and versitile treatment.  Acupuncturists themselves will praise the limitless possibilities of the procedure, while skeptics will claim the entire practice is a fraud.  Unfortunately, due to lack of success using placebos, neutral items used to control an experiment, it has been extremely difficult to document the effects - or lack of effect - of this ancient remedy.

Some say Acupuncture has caused mysterious deaths, while others have heralded the miraculous healing power of this procedure.  Due to lack of concrete scientific evidence, the effectiveness of this procedure is highly disputed.  And since I am not a doctor or researcher, I cannot pick a side of this eternal argument.  Instead, I can recommend you to this alternative solution.  Both pain and nausea have been relieved by this practice, and if either are an issue in your own life; you can test the strength of this ancient remedy yourself.  Personally, I have never tried the procedure, so I leave it to you to pick a side - whether you become an enthusiast or nonbeliever.

Medical Marijuana

"To call what the Hyde family has been through a "parent's worst nightmare" sounds like a horrible cliche. But, it's hard to imagine what else you could call it. Their two-year old son Cash was diagnosed last year with a stage 4 brain tumor; he nearly died more times than they can count. He was miserable from the chemotherapy coursing through his body. Until his dad made a controversial decision to give cannabis to his young son. KXLY 4's Melissa Luck reports." -Youtube



No story personifies the importance of exploring alternative medical solutions quite like this one, so I thought it would be most appropriate to begin my blog with this heartwarming story.  Young Cash was given almost no chance to live, but because of his father's strong belief in alternative remedies, Cash will live on to enjoy the full-life he deserves.  In some situations, the steps Mr. Hyde took to cure his son could be classified as reckless and dangerous, but as made clear by Cash's miraculous recovery, Mr. Hyde's good intentions proved to be lifesaving.

The topic of Medical Marijuana is highly debated and extremely controversial.  Although legal in a dozen states, many state legislators still resist the idea of using narcotics to treat ailments.  Cash's doctors would have never proposed the option of treating a minor with medicinal marijuana, but unlike asprin or Flinstones Vitamins, there is no age requirement for this natural antibiotic.  We Rhode Islanders, ruled by an extraordinarily liberal state government, are privileged enough to have this medical treatment available to us, but not all of our countrymen are this lucky. 

Activists throughout the country are fighting for this alternative solution to be legalized in their home state, and if this ongoing trend of intellectual exploration continues, they will succeed in their efforts to legalize - for medicinal purposes - this once feared drug.  At this point, ignorance is the only thing stopping dozens of state legislators from permitting the use of medical marijuana in their state.  But if more people hear Cash's inspirational story, perhaps this nationwide ignorance will be replaced with hope - hope that more miracles like Cash's will fill our newspapers.

Mission Statement

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

In today's world - with ninety year-old alcoholics and thirty year-olds going into cardiac arrest - health is everyone's number one concern. Sometimes, especially in terminal situations, the average antibiotic or vaccine just won't cut it. With millions of unanswered questions about the human body, scientists around the world have been experimenting with alternative medicine. With health and longevity such a high priority in today's society, it is important to know what is out there and what is working. Breakthroughs are being made everyday, and ignorance is the only thing stopping millions from being cured.

Once a week I will profile a different story, study, or anecdote that involves alternative medicine. From meditation to magic mushrooms - if it's not sold at CVS, I'll be talking about it here. Whether it be legitimate scientific breakthrough or an absurd ritual, I plan to put my two cents in on everything out there. I can only hope you learn from this blog, and maybe even bring some of these alternative solutions into your own life.

Some of the procedures I will be discussing may be controversial - and sometimes illegal - but because of the lifesaving potential of these remedies, they are worth your attention.  Outdated laws are limiting many of these practices, and it is our duty to raise awareness about the endless benefits of these alternative solutions. 

My passion for this cause burns from within.  As I will detail later in my blog, two close family members have, one way or another, had success with alternative medical treatments during their battles with cancer.  Whether it was my mother's 'Woo-sa' and Squatting Dog or my Aunt's medicinal marijuana, non-doctor prescribed remedies helped them in their fights.  It is important to know your options, and maybe one day this blog will save your life.

Dr. Phil