These chiropractic continuing education seminars are intended for California chiropractors and chiropractic college students. Locations include San Diego, Sacramento, and San Jose with weekend programs taking place on October 11th and 12th, October 18th and 19th, and November 1-2 of this year.

CCA 100 Year Lifestyle 12 Hours CE San Diego
Catamaran Resort - San Diego
3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109

CCA 100 Year Lifestyle 12 Hours CE Sacramento
Hilton Arden West Hotel
2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA 95815

CCA 100 Year Lifestyle 12 Hours CE San Jose
Hotel Valencia
355 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128
408-551-0010

All three continuing education weekends are approved for 12 hours of relicensing education for chiropractors practicing in the state of California. Visit the individual seminar links above for additional details regarding each weekend event, or call the CCA directly (916.648.2727, ext. 120 or ext. 141) about enhancing your chiropractic education and skills.

These weekend events are also open to guests of chiropractors and chiropractic assistants or other office staff. Having a well educated staff is a key factor in improving office performance and community education. There's no better way to learn what you've been taught than by teaching others.

Mark your calendars and select your location: a chiropractic seminar in the heart of the Silicon Valley (SJC), the Southern California coastal area of San Diego (SAN), or the state of California's beautiful capital city Sacramento (SMF).

Here is to you and your 100 year chiropractic lifestyle of health and wellness!

These past few weeks I’ve been actively overseeing work on a chiropractic network project (which is still very much in beta) that appears as it will serve as a directory of sorts.

There’s really not lots of information on the pages as of yet but I was told an estimated 10,000 chiropractic web sites were being added in the next 30 days.

Chiropractors that have been in practice for some time are usually incorporated into databases that populate directories such as this one. We’ve collected user web site, phone and address information for more than 10 years, and there’s oftentimes overlap or duplicate records.

It is the chiropractors that have just newly launched web sites, or those that have recently graduated from Chiropractic College, that don’t typically have their blog or web site URLs indexed, those of the ones I most frequently here concern about.

I am making no promises but if you want to participate and add your chiropractic website or blog to the directory I’ll do my best to see that your information goes live and you get a link. Of course if you’re a spammer or have a crappy, low-quality web site, I’ll probably never even see it (since the admin will most definitely delete it).

Personally, I found it difficult to navigate through the many category pages, but like I said it’s in beta and I suspect the design and user interface will change significantly before a full public launch. It’s the accuracy of chiropractic website information I’m more interested in.

The Summit achieved its goal of assembling a large representation of the profession to work together for the betterment of chiropractic. Over 40 national and international leaders worked for over 10 hours on challenges and opportunities that face the profession.

"This was a very positive and successful day," said Summit Chairman Dr. Lewis Bazakos. "The energy in the room was outstanding. Everyone was working together and pulling together as one for the betterment of the profession."

The two key issues discussed at the Orlando Summit session were the future of the Medicare program and prospects for national health care reform. These public policy-related issues will require a carefully researched and developed united response from the chiropractic profession if the interests of chiropractic patients are to be protected.

"Each Chiropractic Summit is an important step that will help our profession grow," said Foot Levelers President and CEO Kent Greenawalt. "We are honored to participate in and support this historic endeavor."

The first Chiropractic Summit - held in Washington, D.C. in September of 2007 - featured 13 organizations representing chiropractic colleges, vendors, research facilities and leaders of the colleges. That number increased to 24 organizations participating in the second Summit, held in February of 2008. Again, that number jumped up to 32 organizations that participated in the most recent Summit in Orlando.

"The challenges facing the chiropractic profession require a continuous dialogue between the parties involved in the Summit if workable solutions are to be found and implemented on a timely basis," said ICA President Dr. John Maltby. "The extensive and open nature of the Summit discussions at all levels is the most positive sign anyone could have hoped for and signals an historic potential for progress, and ICA is proud to be a part of this effort."

The fourth Chiropractic Summit is set for January of 2009 at the Vegas Parker Seminar in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information about the Summit and how you can be involved, please call Summit Chairman Dr. Lewis Bazakos at 516-825-5400.

Their story begins back in 1997, after a meteor crashed into the earth and was unexpectedly found by three teens. The fallen meteor gave off a strong flickering light and a soft humming sound which quickly peaked the teens' interests. Suddenly, a warm and inviting hologram appeared before them taking the shape of a beautiful middle aged woman. In an assertive, yet motherly voice, she began to speak to the three teens saying "HELLO, my name is Earthena and I am the queen of the universe, I bring balance to this region of the galaxy. As you are the first to gaze your eyes upon me, I have chosen you to help me bring balance to the people of earth, to fight for what is right in nature and to guard the 33 Principles of Chiropractic throughout the planet earth." The three teens stood paralyzed in amazement, then humbly accepted Earthena's challenge and in doing so their fate along with the future of the chiropractic profession, was sealed. Now, their true journey begins and we invite you to become part of their adventure...

Upon graduation in April of 2000, with nothing more than his passion, his purpose and a $2,500 loan from his very supportive mother-in-law, Dr. Vic opened his New Jersey family practice and exclusively used The Chiro-Squad as his secret weapon. He used the superheroes in a simple 1-2-3 system, enabling him to educate children of all ages and their parents about the importance of having their spines checked regularly for subluxations.

In early 2008, his ten year old son, Conor, questioned why his health was better than his friends. At that point, Dr. Vic explained that his body works to the best of its' ability because he gets his spine checked regularly and adjusted when needed. Conor asked his friends if they go to the chiropractor regularly, most said no. In hearing this, Conor suggested to his dad, to bring the Chiro-Squad Kids Club System mainstream to help all kids be healthier and learn about chiropractic, just like him.

And so another family business was born. The Chiro-Squad premiered to the chiropractic profession at the 2008 Florida Chiropractic Association Expo. Dr. Vic and his wife, Colleen, taught chiropractors the simple 1-2-3 internal kids marketing system they've successfully used in their practice over the past eight years. In doing so, the weekend served as an ideal opportunity for them to reenergize and reestablish the foundation of pure chiropractic.

The 1-2-3 internal kids marketing system, affectionately known as the Chiro-Squad Kids Club, is now available for purchase on our website, www.ChiroSquad.com and consists of the following steps and items.

Step 1: Matte and display in a black frame the 3 specifically designed posters in your office. Matte the waiting-room poster on RED and the other 2 on BLUE and GREEN for your adjusting rooms.

Step 2: After their first adjustment, write their name on the Official Chiro-Squad Kids Club Membership Card and present it to them and welcome them to the club.

Step 3: After each follow up visit, give out 1 of 3, I'm a Chiro-Squad Kid Stickers.

This "Exclusive Office Kit" is the simplest, most creative and time tested 1-2-3 method of getting the kids you already have in practice excited about chiropractic care, while planting the seed for parents who are practice members not currently bringing their kids to have their spines checked.

For more information please visit our website www.ChiroSquad.com or call our office at 201-265-8688.

Chiro-Squad(TM)
"The Original Chiropractic Super-Heroes, Guardians of the 33 Principles?
Their Message: Straighten Up & Fly Right!

I interviewed Dr. Birk about his chiropractic practice (located inside Extreme Fitness) and becoming a chiropractor. It's my pleasure to introduce you to the chiropractor above Toronto, Dr. Ruminder S. Birk.

Dr. Ruminder S. Birk
Atlantis Chiropractic and Wellness
90 Interchange Way, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 5C3
(905) 532-0684

PC: Thanks for joining us for this interview Dr. Birk. One could assume that you attended chiropractic school in Canada but I understand lots of chiropractors in the area attend chiropractic school in the United States, was that the case for you?

RB: Although I am Canadian and had the opportunity of attending the Canadian chiropractic college I decided on leaving the country and attending Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, California. I'm glad I did because the hands on and scholastic education prepared me exceptionally well to give the best chiropractic service to my patients.

PC: Life West is known for teaching a number of effective chiropractic techniques, do you utilize the techniques taught there or have you focused on one technique in particular?

RB: Our practice uses several safe and gentle techniques including activator, SOT, drop table and diversified technique.

PC: Being located in a gym I'd expect a lot of fitness minded individuals would be coming to your practice. Is there an office focus on fitness or any other specialties?

RB: Our office specializes in family wellness care as well as motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and work related injuries.

PC: Does your practice provide any services in the office besides chiropractic adjustments?

RB: We have onsite computerized gait analysis for custom orthotics, nutritional supplements, low intensity laser therapy (LILT) and registered massage therapy.

PC: Health care and health-care benefits in Canada differ from those in the United States, what methods of payment are available for those people coming to your practice?

RB: We deal with all extended health care benefit providers, car insurance/ attorneys for car accident patients, WSIB as well as affordable cash plans for those who are self employed or do not have benefits.

PC: What can you tell us about your location and what's outside your office?

RB: We are conveniently located at the corner of Highway 400 and Highway 7 next to Dave and Busters (Great food and big fun served up by the friendliest people in town), Ikea and the AMC theaters.

PC: So there's a great place to get adjusted, the great location for a workout, a chance to relax and enjoy the latest hottest movie, and you can grab some flat pack furniture and accessories for the trip home. Sounds like a terrific setting. Tell us, how did you get introduced to chiropractic?

RB: Like most students, when I was in University, I wasn't exactly sure which field I wanted to go into, except that I wanted to do something that would allow me to help people. One day I was with a good friend and his mother on our way to school when she said she had to stop off somewhere, to see a Chiropractor who she went regularly to for relief from migraines. To be honest I was a bit skeptical and didn't think it was something I needed.

RB: Then one day on my way to school again, it hit me. Literally! I was parked at a light when I was struck from behind by a truck going 50 kilometers an hour! The next morning I woke up with excruciating neck pain from whiplash and thought of my earlier visit with the chiropractor. Well, to make a long story short, I ended up going to him. He did a thorough exam, took some films, and then "adjusted" my spine. The adjustment didn't hurt, it actually felt good. I got immediate relief and my neck healed within three months. It worked so well that I went to Chiropractic school myself.

PC: Quite a dramatic way to be introduced to a profession. Are the any other members of your family that are chiropractors?

RB: Chiropractic has been such a blessing in my life that I have encouraged several others to begin school. Currently my younger cousin is in his first years studies at Life West Chiropractic College and he plans on joining me in practice when he has completed his studies.

PC: If a patient, friend or family member asked, are there any specific chiropractic schools you would recommend they attend?

RB: Based on my experience I would highly recommend Life West Chiropractic College. I also recommend Life University in Atlanta, GA and the original Chiropractic College Palmer in Davenport, IA.

PC: What is the Vaughan area like?

RB: In my practice, a very commonly asked question is "so why did you leave sunny California to come back to the dreary winters of Canada?" The reason is because I love being Canadian, the warm people make up for any cold days. Multiculturalism is encouraged in this country and that's what makes it so great. Also, I feel family and friends are very important and that was the driving force in my returning. Besides I grew up in the extreme winters of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Toronto area is tropical compared to that!

PC: Are you actively involved in any community activities?

RB: I am an active member of the Sikh community here in the Greater Toronto area and enjoy the many cultural events that this area is known for.

PC: What is your chiropractic office like?

RB: Our office is located in a busy Extreme Fitness location with plenty of free parking and full wheelchair accessibility. We feel the best characteristic of our office is the wonderful environment, from the friendly staff, to the constantly uplifting decorations, posters and motivational sayings, the amazing artwork of our little patients and the upbeat music piping through the office rooms.

PC: When a local TV news crew walks in your front door and the reporter asks "what is it that you do here?" your reply is?

RB: We are saving lives one spine at a time!

PC: Thanks for joining us for this interview Dr. Birk. I am listing your address and phone number again for those that may want to contact you about visiting your office. Dr. Ruminder S. Birk - Atlantis Chiropractic and Wellness - 90 Interchange Way, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 5C3 (905) 532-0684

(photo: Chiropractor Sharon Gorman at a New Beginnings conference in Eatontown New Jersey. Chiropractor Bob Tarantino and his wife Evelyn are in the background)

The first Focus Philosophy meeting will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008. The event features Dr. Sharon Gorman (How To Get Em) and Westside Manhattan chiropractor Dr. Jay Handt (How To Keep Em).

Howard Johnson Hotel
Route 611 Bartonsville, PA (exit 302 off I-80)
(570) 424-6100 for Reservations (ask for Focus Rate)
Contact Sharon Gorman at (570) 350-4091

You can't beat the pricing for these focus chiropractic events, suggested fee is the price of one office visit. A hat will get passed around to cover program expenses. Focus events are sponsored by the Chiropractic Fellowship of Pennsylvania.

Other Focus Events being featured this fall include October 4 with Dr. Steve Judson, November 1 with Dr. Skip George, and December 6 with Dr. Patti Giuliano.

We've written many times before on the importance of chiropractic fellowship. Whether that fellowship comes in the shape of small local meet ups, or rock 'n roll packed house events is not important, what is important is that chiropractors, family, and staff are gathering together on a consistent basis.

There is the Focus Philosophy group in Pennsylvania, New Beginnings in Eatontown New Jersey, Saturday Night Live throughout the state of Florida, DCS in Newport Beach California, and many other events taking place at a hotel or chiropractor's office near you.

Are you getting the chiropractic experience in your neck of the woods? If not, why not? Are you waiting for someone to take action and get something started? Chiropractors like Sharon Gorman don't wait for others, they move forward and blaze new paths. Having a Sharon Gorman practicing chiropractic in every city in America would be a fine solution, but don't expect that to happen anytime soon.

Let's get something started in your community. Need help? Let us know. Even the smallest of chiropractic events are welcome to be posted free of charge, and there are dozens of other ways to get the word out.

So whether you're planning to host events for several thousand chiropractors or are seeking to gather a group of three or more together on a regular basis, get on with it and get moving. Chances are someone near you is ready to get involved once you pick up the torch and start running.

This post is real simple. The goal is to provide an easy to remember acronym to be used when identifying 5 important parts of the human cervical spine (neck) as shown on the following x-ray. Landmarks highlighted with red letters identify the parts to be remembered.

LMFAO - Cervical Spine X-Ray

L stands for Lamina - In the cervical spine, the lamina is thin area of bone that helps create a protective ring over the spinal cord. The surgical procedure involving the removal of lamina is referred to as a Laminectomy. The procedure may be performed in cases when a ruptured spinal disc may need to be removed or when bone spurs are putting pressure on the spinal cord.

M stands for Muscle - When taking x-rays on exceptionally muscular individuals, the seventh cervical vertebrae and first thoracic vertebrae areas of the spine may not be as visible on a lateral film. On the x-ray shown above, only six bones in the neck can be counted. In some cases, having an individual hold an object in each arm (such as a 5 pound weight) while relaxing their shoulder muscles, can help improve viewing of this area on x-ray.

F stands for Foramina - Two nerves exit the spine at each cervical vertebra and they pass through the foramina, one on the left and one on the right. Many people don’t realize nerves exit at each level of the cervical spine. It’s not uncommon that  tingling or numbness felt in one’s arms and hands can be the result of pressure on nerves in one’s neck. Foramina is the plural term and neural foramen is the term to identify a single area.

A stands for Atlas - Positioned at the very top of the spine is the first cervical vertebrae, sometimes referred to as C1 or the Atlas. The atlas features two thick bony arches that form a large opening for the spinal cord to pass through. It is the spinal bone located nearest to the brainstem and it is often identified by chiropractors as the most important vertebrae to be in adjustment.

O stands for Occiput - The Occiput is an area of bone located at the base of the skull. It is an important lateral cervical spine x-ray landmark commonly used in identifying location and positioning of the first cervical vertebrae (Atlas). A skeletal abnormality sometimes seen in the upper cervical spine is known as atlanto-occipital fusion, or occipitalization of the atlas.

So there is your anatomy lesson for the day. Go ahead and show your friends how smart you are.

L amina
M uscle
F oramina
A tlas
O cciput

easily remembered as LMFAO

From the ChiroMission service team... If you know anyone interested in doing chiropractic mission work let me know. It is something that every chiropractor should experience. I need some chiropractors to help out, because I have a waiting list of more than 50 students that want to go. We can only take two students for each chiropractor.

It is with great pleasure that I am pleased to announce that our last group of 28 chiropractors "Chiromission April 2008" have been awarded "The most chiropractic adjustments performed in two days by one group of chiropractors." This award was given to us by the world book of records. Nearly 22,000 adjustments were performed in the Dominican Republic and Haiti on April 2 and 3, 2008.

Last April I led a team of 28 chiropractors to the jungles and remote villages of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We were accompanied by a PBS film team and the world book of records. We brought the healing power of Chiropractic to hundreds upon hundreds of Haitians in the town of Ouanaminthe and thousands upon thousands of people in multiple Dominican Republic cities, villages and hill top towns. The rippling effects of this Chiropractic pebble dropping into the pond are just beginning.

Look at what is in our Horizon. 600,000 people in third world countries will be served in the next three years. We need chiropractors.
We have over 100,000 people to be adjusted in churches in Mexico.
We have over 45,000 people to be adjusted in Jamaica. We have over 40,000 people to be adjusted in Argentina.
We have over 45,000 people to be adjusted in Guatamala.

Chiropractors are needed to serve. Please join us on our next ChiroMission trip: January 7-11, 2009 - Trinidad - April 2009 - Dominican Republic / Haiti

Please write me at chirorye@aol.com if you are interested.

- - - - -
Related articles that may be of interest include photos from adjusting in Costa Rica, chiropractor photos from Peru earthquake, more news on chiropractic mission to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, chiropractic expansion trip to Russia, and chiropractors receive key to Panama City.

Experience Chiropractic in the Enchanting Setting of Historic Tuscany. Join us for a fabulous weekend of Chiropractic Education, Technique & Philosophy that you will never forget. The 2008 International European Chiropractic Symposium features Drs. Tedd Koren, Tim O’Shea and Douglas Inkol on October 11th & 12th, 2008 in Tuscany, Italy.

Borgo San Luigi
Return to the source…

Time to hear some positive affirmations about chiropractic and the validity of the holistic model from 3 of the top presenters in the profession.  A weekend of insightful and enlightening discussions, set in the classic pastoral surroundings of historic Tuscany.

The coursework presented in this 2 day symposium will focus on such vital topics as:

Philosophical considerations, classical and modern Mechanistic vs.Vitalistic paradigm
The Connections of Health – chiropractic and physical, mental/emotional and spiritual health
The Koren Specific Technique – an introduction  and demonstrations
Childhood immunization – questions all parents should ask
The future of nutrition Bioterrain detoxification at the cellular level
The defining principles of patient communication
The power of intent - Chiropractic Patient Education through the Quantum Physics perspective

Hear the most well researched and up to date information available anywhere today on these subjects firsthand, from the primary authors themselves.

For a more detailed syllabus of the Symposium, as well as details on the Tuscan setting itself, please go to: www.internationalchiropracticseminars.com.

This Autumn venue is a perfect time in Europe after the holiday crowds have left.
Very accessible from both Rome and Florence – only 1.5 hours drive.

To register for the Symposium please call 480-370-9134 or 408-298-1800 (outside USA: 001 then the number) Enrollment limited to the first 200 sign-ups. This venue will definately sell out, so don’t wait until the last minute. Call for details on hotel, seminar rates, and other details. View event listing here.

I didn’t go around asking for business cards at Wednesday night’s DCS event with Joe Accurso but two chiropractors remembered to hand me their cards. I got cards from Dr. Ted Pena and Dr. John Bergman.

Dr. Ted Pena, Chiropractor, practices in Riverside, California. For those wanting his contact information, his chiropractic office address is: 7001 Indiana Ave., Suite 12 - Riverside, CA 92506

Office phone number is 951-276-2838 and you can find him on the web at DrPena.com

The back of his business card reads… Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:31

I know Dr. John Bergman of Bergman Family Chiropractic from our days at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles. Dr. John and I were talking about what it’s like to be a chiropractor in Los Angeles versus being a chiropractor in Orange County (such as in Huntington Beach or Irvine).

Here is Dr. Johns information…

Dr. John Bergman, D.C.
Bergman Family Chiropractic
Orange County’s Wellness Center
18582 Beach Blvd. #22
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Office: 714-962-5891
bergmanchiropractic.com

Dr. John grew up in Burbank California and attended John Burroughs high school. Dr. Michael Blum practices in that area and before I moved to Venice I provided chiropractic care to Burroughs varsity football players for a few years. Small world.

Business card karma is a great way to introduce chiropractors to readers of this chiropractic blog. Some chiropractors are really creative with their cards, like those seen in the 6 Card Monday Ralph Andrade and Steve Visentin post.

The guerrilla chiropractic marketing post shows affirmation business cards from the office of chiropractor Suzanne Frye. The Arizona business cards was a good karma post which featured cards from Phoenix, West Los Angeles, and Ontario Canada.

Business card karma for May of 2008 had a mixture of chiropractor, social media, and search engine optimization people’s business cards. Since I’ve been using my Fujitsu ScanSnap I’ve been scanning all business cards received to PDF files. It’s an excellent tool for the desktop.

I had business cards from Las Vegas chiropractor Dr. Matt Mortensen and Dr. Keith Fretty in San Francisco. I either accidentally deleted the PDF file or it’s maybe on my laptop. Will share their cards at another time.

Do I have your business card and office information?