:dropcap_open:D:dropcap_close:r. Don Harrison has been a tireless Chiropractic researcher and scientist for more than 35 years. Originator of Chiropractic BiophysicsTechnique (CBP), Dr. Don conducted his research and reported his findings according to established scientific standards and protocols. His diligence and expertise have been rewarded by a high level of acceptance by the scientific community.
Dr. Don’s outstanding career as a Chiropractor, researcher and technique developer came to an unfortunate and untimely end when he was stricken with a devastating illness three years ago. Fortunately his son Deed Harrison was ready, willing and able to “take over the family business” and continue his Father’s work.
Dr. Deed Harrison is a young man with a purpose: to advance the science and art of Chiropractic, through CBP NonProfit, Inc., a research and educational foundation established by his father in the 1990’s. Until recently he and his wife, Shirlene, who is also a chiropractor, have practiced and taught together. Just this month (April 2011) they sold their clinical practice to focus entirely on CBP Technique Seminars and CBP NonProfit Research.
Koch: Dr. Deed, I am pleased to have the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in CBP. I have taken several seminars taught by your Dad. They were terrific. It is a real loss to the profession as well as a personal tragedy that he is no longer able to continue his work.
DEED: It is indeed a tragedy. I am just grateful to be in a position to take over CBP and continue for him. I have upgraded our business model for greater efficiency while continuing the research and teaching program.
Koch: One of the things that has distinguished CBP over the years is the incredible number of peer reviewed articles your Dad and you have had published. That is a great accomplishment and service to the profession.
DEED: Thanks Bill, we are proud to have had over 100 articles and studies published in peer reviewed publications.
:quoteleft_open:CBP Technique methods have foundations in Linear Algebra theory mathematics (study of rotations and translations) and mechanical engineering.:quoteleft_close:
Koch: Deed, please give us a thumbnail sketch of what CBP is about. I want our readers to know that CBP is not just another line drawing X-ray analysis and adjusting technique, but a provable scientific approach and valuable chiropractic reference resource.
DEED: The technique goals of normal spinal position and normal posture are achieved through well researched and documented, scientific methods. CBP Technique methods have foundations in Linear Algebra theory mathematics (study of rotations and translations) and mechanical engineering.
While many chiropractic techniques are lacking evidence-based support, CBP Technique is an exception to this situation. CBP technique researchers have authored 135 studies in the peer-reviewed, indexed literature on a variety of aspects of CBP technique theories, protocols, and practices.
Koch: This work is very important to the entire Chiropractic profession. It provides scientific validation of the principles of chiropractic, placing us on firm ground in any inter-professional dialogue, especially when the efficacy of chiropractic is being challenged.
DEED: That’s right. Let’s take it a step further. In a significant portion of chiropractic research, the authors are analyzing outcome measures in patient populations following chiropractic intervention without validation of what it is (subluxation) that is being treated. Further, the improvement in the subluxation is seldom documented with reliable/valid methods. With this in mind, correlation of subluxation reduction to improvement in a patient specific condition cannot be made.
CBP researchers did not want to ‘place the cart before the horse’ by studying patient outcomes without prior investigation of the methods used in these studies. Therefore, in the mid 1990’s a four tiered research outline or plan was laid out where each tier utilizes information from the preceding one(s). The tiers are:
Establish a scientific definition of the ideal and/or average human spinal alignment.
Define and investigate the existence of spinal subluxations.
Evaluate the reliability and validity of the assessment of spinal subluxation types described in tier 2.
Develop interventions to reduce subluxation types in tier 2 using the assessment procedures in tier 3 and investigate patient outcomes using these interventions.
Koch: What are the clinical goals of CBP in a nutshell?
DEED: The CBP is very straight forward. While many in chiropractic are turning away from structural outcomes of care to concentrate solely on pain reduction, improved ranges of motion, and other functional based outcomes, in contrast, CBP emphasizes optimal posture and spinal alignment as the primary goals of chiropractic care while simultaneously documenting improvements in pain and functional based outcomes. The uniqueness of CBP treatment is in structural rehabilitation of the spine and posture. This goal requires (1) a precise definition of normal posture and (2) reliability and validity of postural measurement.
Koch: The level of corrective care you are discussing requires an extensive course of care. Understanding that each case is different in terms of severity, chronicity, degenerative joint disease, patients stress load and lifestyle, what might your recommendations for corrective care look like for a hypothetical middle aged patient with a moderate degree of DJD and pain?
DEED: The CBP protocol of care recommends that relief care (traditional chiropractic management) be separated from structural rehabilitation of the spine and posture. In this regard, the typical patient would receive an initial 3 weeks of care (4 times per week or 12 visits) aimed at improving segmental and gross spinal range of motion and pain intensity/frequency.
After, the initial relief care, CBP structural rehabilitation procedures would begin and include exercises, adjustments, and traction performed in the Mirror Image® (referred to as the E.A.T protocol). The mirror image® posture positions are the rotation and translation pairs in or about each coordinate axis.
The reason for postural mirror image® exercises, adjustments, and traction procedures is to address all the tissues involved in spine and posture alignment. Mirror image® exercises are performed to stretch shortened muscles and to strengthen those muscles that have weakened in areas where postural muscles have adapted to asymmetric abnormal postures. Although strength and conditioning exercise has not proven to correct posture, postural exercises performed in the mirror image® have shown initial promise in the reduction of posture and spinal displacements. Recommendations for the corrective phase are made in 36 visit increments as warranted by the individual case.
Koch: This is obviously a very comprehensive approach to spinal correction. What equipment and procedures are involved?
DEED: You are right, Bill, we try to cover all the bases. Postural adjustments as performed with drop table, hand-held instrument, or even mirror image manipulation procedures are performed for resetting the nervous system regulation of postural muscle balance. Postural mirror image and extension traction for the sagittal curves provides sustained loading periods of 10-20 minutes and is necessary to cause visco-elastic deformation to the resting length of the spinal ligaments, muscles, and discs.
Koch: One of the things that your work provides is a system of rehabilitative care for the patient to do at home. Please tell our readers about it.
DEED: We partnered CBP with Denneroll Industries of Australia to provide a full product line of biomechanically correct supports and orthotic devices for the rehabilitation of spinal curves.
:quoteright_open:The reason for postural mirror image® exercises, adjustments, and traction procedures is to address all the tissues involved in spine and posture alignment.:quoteright_close:
Koch: Looking at your website and literature, I am impressed not only by your attention to proper biomechanics, but by the fact that you even consider the individual body mass index in making your recommendations.
Equally important are your guidelines of contraindications. We all have had patients who have had negative response to rehab exercise. These guidelines go a long way toward helping the doctor prevent unintended exacerbations.
DEED: There are multiple benefits to putting patients on a spinal rehabilitation program. They speed up the corrective process and relief of pain. When we engage the patient in the corrective process it leads to improved compliance. Also, insurance companies like it when they see that the Doctor has recommended at home rehab. It is indicative of thoroughness and a sincere interest in expediting the patient’s results. It is a win – win situation.
Koch: Tell us about the CBP seminar programs.
DEED: The basic CBP certification program consists of 6 weekend seminars followed by a proficiency test. We also have an advanced certification program which consists of 6 seminars covering the more advanced procedures. That is also followed by a proficiency exam. To date, about 550 doctors have achieved a CBP proficiency rating.
Koch: Deed, I would like to compliment you on your stand on behalf of the continued right of chiropractors to use X-ray in their practices. X-ray is one of our most important analytical tools. The chiropractors who were behind the effort to eliminate or limit our use of X-ray are simply wrong and they’re doing our profession and patients a grave disservice. If they are so concerned with patient safety they should attack the medical profession’s indiscriminate use of CAT scans which commonly subject the patient to many hundreds of times the radiation exposure of a set of chiropractic films. Our entire profession owes you a debt of gratitude for your work in this matter. I appreciate your work and dedication to furthering the scientific basis of chiropractic, but don’t forget to allow time to take care of yourself. You owe that to yourself and your family.
Dr. Deed will be presenting a comprehensive, contemporary review of this topic at the upcoming 32nd CBP Annual Conference on Sept. 24-26th, in Scottsdale, AZ. Deed E. Harrison, D.C. is President CBP Seminars, Inc., Vice President CBP® Non-Profit, Inc., Chair PCCRP Guidelines, Editor—AJCC.
Dr. Bill Koch is a 1967 Cum Laude graduate of Palmer. After 30 years of practice in The Hamptons, NY, he retired and moved to Abaco, Bahamas, where he and his wife Kiana travel by boat to provide Chiropractic care to the residents of the remote out islands. Dr. Koch, author of Chiropractic the Superior Alternative, writes a blog: Mentoring Young Chiropractors http://DrWilliamHKoch.com and is working on two new books, ChiroPractice Made Perfect and The Out Island Chiropractor. He may be contacted at [email protected]