Review - "Differential Diagnosis in Chiropractic -- Volume I: Head Pain and Arthritis" -- Six Audiotapes

Review

"Differential Diagnosis in Chiropractic -- Volume I: Head Pain and Arthritis" -- Six Audiotapes

Audiotapes by -- Stephen M. Foreman, D.C., DABCO
Darryl Curl, D.D.S., D.C.
Steven C. Eggleston, D.C.

Few things are more irritating in chiropractic than the semantic web we practice in. In the center of this web is the "spider" of stupidity. Not ignorance -- for this spider has been informed, but still wants to devour those who don't agree with him. On this particular thread of the web, the concern of the spider is with the term "diagnosis."

As strange as it may seem, there are still characters running around loose saying that chiropractors don't diagnose; they "analyze." It's as if B.J. put a hex sign on certain words and his disciples now feel that it's their holy charge to expurgate from chiropractic all the infidels who use such phrases as "treatment" and "diagnosis." How quaint -- if only they didn't try to force others to accept their beliefs.

These supers accuse the mixers of trying to force their beliefs on them. This just isn't so unless you confuse exposure with forcing. You see the majority of chiropractors and their schools accept diagnosis and the consequential treatment of patients. The public, insurance companies, and government agencies also accept and expect a primary physician of any kind to accept these responsibilities and perform accordingly.

A primary physician (doctor of chiropractic) acts as a portal of entry into the health field. It is the responsibility of the DC to determine if the patient should be treated (there's that word again) with conservative measures or referred for more radical procedures. This can only be done if he diagnoses from the information gathered from a comprehensive examination. This, of course, might require some time and a measure of responsibility on the part of the chiropractor. It's so much easier for the super to close his eyes and play it safe by not taking responsibility for the patient's welfare. That's of course, if you're not interested in being a primary physician and choose rather to be a prescription item.

The preceding has been discussed many times over the years and it's just as tiring to write about it as it might be to read it. Unfortunately, the subject is rehashed over and over because the supers never change their song -- not even the key.

On the positive side is the fact that within the chiropractic profession dwells and teaches such stalwarts as Dr. Richard Schafer, Dana Lawrence, and Dr. Stephen Foreman. Their continued and growing influence assures the profession that we have the potential to become the finest diagnosticians in the field of neuromuscular and associated disorders.

A current offering by Drs. Foreman, Curl, and Eggleston in the form of six audiotapes on the differential diagnosis of Head Pain and Arthritis is an excellent example of a diagnostic educational tool that we can all use.

The first two tapes on headaches and head traumas by Dr. Foreman are essentially outlines for material that should be fleshed out by the listener. Foreman's style is simple and a polished example of a teacher who understands the material being presented.

Dr. Darryl Curl handles the next two tapes. While the first on the classifications of head pain is good, the second on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy and physiology is extraordinary and almost worth the price of the entire set of tapes. An outline is included which allows the listener to follow the material presented in all the tapes. This is particularly useful with Dr. Curl's TMJ tape which includes illustrations on TMJ anatomy.

Dr. Foreman follows with an excellent discussion of the diagnosis of TMJ injuries. The final tape by Dr. Eggleston is one of the most comprehensive lectures on the differential diagnosis of the arthritides I've heard, within the parameters of the time allowed.

Obviously, these tapes aren't for the "non-diagnostic" folks claiming residence in the profession. They are only for those whose primary interest is in their patients' welfare, not the welfare of some archaic axioms postulated by B.J. Palmer. It's for the reader to decide which one they are, and purchase accordingly.

Please see pages xx, Parts #A-619 for information on how to order.

RHT