Evidence of Innate Intelligence?

A report recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine (Arch Intern Med. 2008;168[21]:2302-2303) makes quite the finding. Breast cancer rates increased significantly in four Norwegian counties after women there began getting mammograms every two years. In fact, according to background information in the study, the start of screening mammography programs throughout Europe has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer.  To quote the study, “The incidence of invasive breast cancer was 22 percent higher in the group regularly screened with mammography, compared to controls.”

Those in support of mammography as a regular screening tool for breast cancer would suggest that the incidence increases because of the effectiveness of the tool for detecting cancer.  However, those with a different opinion question whether x-rays and/or the sometimes torturous compression of breasts during mammography actually cause a greater incidence of cancer in situ?   

The true answer is that we cannot tell for sure if either side is correct.  However, the scientists themselves suggested that the reason for the difference is that some of the cancers detected by mammography may have spontaneously regressed if they had never been discovered by screening for them.  To quote the researchers themselves, “Although many clinicians may be skeptical of the idea, the excess incidence associated with repeated mammography demands that spontaneous regression be considered carefully.” This supports a fundamental belief of the chiropractic profession — namely that the body has the innate ability to heal itself.  Instead of fighting the illness that resides in the body, we should be boosting the body’s natural intelligence to rid itself of disease, primarily through the function of the immune system. 

This does not mean breast cancer should be ignored or not treated. After all, breast cancer is the one of the leading causes of death among North American women. Nor do I suggest that mammography is a bad idea.  Early detection and treatment of serious diseases like cancer improves your chances for recovery.  However, the message from reports like these is one of hope — taking a proactive approach to your health may be able to decrease the occurrence of these deadly diseases.  Chiropractic is one branch of the healing arts that focuses on improving your body’s innate ability to heal itself.

 In support of chiropractic’s role in boosting the body’s natural ability to heal, Ari Cohn cites a study whereby a group of individuals receiving regular chiropractic care had a 4-fold increase in an enzyme which is used to measure immune system competence, compared to a similar group that did not receive chiropractic adjustments. (JVSR Sept. 30, 2008)  Another study investigated the effects of chiropractic care on the immune system of HIV patients by measuring their CD4 count.  This factor is commonly used to measure the comparative strength of the immune system in these individuals.  Using an independent medical team to analyze the results, researchers found that HIV positive patients under regular chiropractic care achieved a 48% increase in CD4 count after six months of care. (Chiro Res J 1994; 3(1): 32–39)  The science supporting the benefits of chiropractic care continues to build.  If you haven’t yet considered the benefits of chiropractic for anything except low back pain, neck pain or headaches, you may wish to reconsider.  Regular chiropractic adjustments may be just what the doctor ordered for any health problem.

Yours Truly,

Dr. Christian Guenette, Chiropractor

www.back2health.ca