Good morning Prescott!

This is the debut of the health column in Prescott eNews, so it is only fitting to introduce the philosophical basis for articles to come. As a Chiropractic Physician, you will be told the truth about health from the perspective of a natural healing model, while at the same time, receiving scientific validation whenever available for such information in order to satisfy the orthodox in us. Many are interested in plain old results, to feel and function better as quickly as possible. Others need double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies, published in peer reviewed journals before they will try anything. No one paradigm is perfect, but the realization that even respectable scientific studies were funded by somebody, for some reason, must be considered. A study also has the ability to put controls in place to arrive at their desired intent or result. Even after all the criteria of the scientific method has been satisfied, the conclusion is usually hard to interpret, leaving the layperson confused. Often, the only actionable pursuit known is to rely on the conventional drug approach. After all, it was prescribed by a doctor who adheres to science and relies on the pharmaceutical companies data. Follow the money trail, and read the small print!

Have I raised any hackles yet? Well, the same kind of madness exists in the naturopathic approach to medicine; people self-medicating, mixing medicinal herbs and homeopathic tinctures, with red rice yeast and colostrum because someone said it worked for their neighbor, or read it on the internet. One may use an eye of newt, while another is unwittingly injected with mercury, or are taking rat poison. Welcome to the free market of health!

Now introducing the chiropractic health paradigm: The most sophisticated pharmacy, and the best doctor you will ever meet, is the incredible Dr. You! The body was designed to be dynamic; use it or lose it. Immobilization equals degeneration. The whole is greater than the sums of its parts. Structure and function are synergistically related. To adjust and align is to establish or restore order. Chiropractic attempts to remove nerve interference and to promote regeneration.  Motion is life, and balance is the key.

We’ll throw it all into the pot, and see what rises to the top as we discuss health in a provocative way. Stay tuned for stimulating thought about health and healing as we learn more and more about the innate intelligence of the human body.

Dr. Andy Nelson is a Chiropracitc Physician and Certified Weight Loss Coach at HealthSource Chiropractic & Progressive Rehab in Prescott. He can be reached at 778-7996, or online at www.healthsourceofprescott.com. Email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it