Surgery versus Conservative Treatment

Over my long career, it has never ceased to amaze me how very little the average doctor knows about physical therapy and what the physiotherapist is capable of in the conservative treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions. When the average Jo or Jane hurts themselves or suffers pain due to accidents, injuries or even wear and tear in the joints - the first port of call is usually the family physician or (in the U.K.) the GP. I could write the book (maybe number 9) on the awful diagnoses I have encountered that GP's have given patients, which usually goes with terrible advice. When, however the doctor is unable to cope with the patient's symptoms, they are often referred to a specialist. That would be great - if the specialist were a physician who had more knowledge of the particular condition than the GP. But the patient usually ends up on the doorstep of an orthopaedic SURGEON. Now I have known some really great 'orthopods' but, equally, have also known some who are very anti (mostly due to ignorance) any kind of physical medicine.

Surely it makes sense that a patient is treated with physio (or osteopathy, etc.) before surgery is attempted yet, sadly, surgery is often used as the first option. Why is there no such doctor as an orthopaedic PHYSICIAN? A surgeon quite naturally thinks in terms of surgery. One can easily recover from unsuccessful physical therapy (you can't win 'em all), but you cannot easily undo surgery. As a physiotherapist, I spend a great deal of time in trying to 'make the most of a bad job' for those who have had surgery that has not worked. I am then treated as a last resort instead of a first resort.

A case in point is the way that Freddie Flintoff was handled. I am biased towards this case as I am a cricket 'nut' and feel we have lost one of the best cricketers of the last generation. I do not know what the original ankle injury was that Freddie sustained and I am sure that he received excellent care by the medical team who looked after him. It seemed to me though that he was subject to the surgeon's knife within a very short time of the original problem. A further operation was required before he returned, tentatively to cricket. Then, lo and behold, he started getting knee pain. This is not exactly a revelation as the surgery would have tightened ligaments and altered the weight bearing line in the lower leg thus inflaming the knee. The knee was then operated on (three times) before time was called on his career. If only conservative treatment had been given a longer run in the first place - who knows what the eventual outcome would have been.

Having said all that, surgery is, obviously, the ONLY way forward in some conditions and is very successful. I suppose if I were a surgeon this blog would be putting the other side of the argument!! Keep well - JRC

French translation

Sorry for the gap since last posting - have been very busy! Disappointed with the 'Hands on Skye' practical workshop next month - it is on but we only have four delegates - and one of those is coming from Rumania! Next year is already shaping up, one in London in January, one in Glasgow in March, the ACPEM conference in April for starters. Neck is no worse!!! I wish I could say it was better - but I have been pushing it more than usual lately with end of season gardening.

One of my 'fans' in France has decided to translate the 'Acupuncture and the Chakra Energy System' book into French as North Atlantic Books didn't think it would take off there (foolish lot). Why it has been translated into Czech, Portugese and Estonian and not French is beyond me, but I am not a publisher thank goodness. He has asked hundreds of questions along the way but has now almost completed the task. He is hoping to get a French publisher to print it for him. One of the many queries that he had was the fact that I stated that in my opinion many allopathic medicines are suppressive in nature and are detrimental to our Vital Force. I thought there was nothing wrong in stating what, after all, is main stream naturopathic thought. Apparently the French Medical Council could sue me for stating such blasphemy. What a load of cods.......! I'm not sure if I should tell them to get lost or tow the line. My chakra chart is available in French and no-one has complained about that. How do Canadians who write in French get on. Suggestions please on a post card. Bye for now - JRC

Update

It's great to be back and I trust you are all refreshed with your Summer breaks. Just an update this blog before getting down to serious stuff .

1. I am recovering from having received a series of epidural injections into my neck to help with the pain of my spondylosis - fingers crossed!! I had to journey about 5 hours away to the other side of Scotland as, obviously, there is nothing more local.

2. I am at last running a local workshop here in Skye. It is called HANDS ON SKYE and is being held at the Skeabost Country House Hotel near Portree on 19-21 November. It is essentially a practical workshop for hands on therapists teaching them how to use acupressure, reflextherapy, cranio-sacral therapy and bodywork in the treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions. Bookings slow but it is ON.

3. Today sees the publication of my 6th. book - 'A Concise Book of Acupoints' - published by Lotus Publishing of Chichester U.K. This is superbly illustrated and has been quite an ordeal to write as I had not originally intended to do this one. Lotus asked me to do it following the death of the guy who should have done it!

4. I am writing my 7th book called 'Light Touch Reflextherapy' at the moment. It should be published next Summer.

5. I continue to receive some brilliant emails from practitioners and the like from all over the world - the problem is to find time in replying to them!!

Will write as soon as I can

Break

I am taking a break from postings for a couple of months in order to catch up on the enormous amount of writing and admin that I need to do before the autumn. Essential bits and pieces will be put on my web site - have a good summer! JRC

Update

Sorry for lack of postings but I have been a bit poorly. My chest infection was followed by bronchitis which was followed by a reaction to the antibiotics!! I am just about back in the land of the living. I shall save dealing with the Crown chakra until next time. For now, though, I want to share a couple of observations in my profession that have been apparent over the past few years and which continue to surprise me (although I should be used to it by now).

1. I try and help my patients as conscientiously as I can and I remain extremely busy even though the financial climate is hard in the U.K. I think I get results - why is this? It is a combination of 2 things - experience and common sense! As I've been in practice for over 40 years - mostly in the private sector, I have become experienced in many different techniques ( a few I have invented myself) and have learnt to take some diagnostic short cuts that make for fewer treatment sessions. I attempt to treat the CAUSE of something, be it musculo-skeletal, organic or emotional. Often it isn't rocket science!!! I am continually staggered by tales of other practitioners just alleviating symptoms without even looking to find the true aetiology - in other words taking the easy option and trying to prolong the treatment sessions. Being true to your patient, listening to them carefully (they know about their body far more than doctors and others give them credit for) and being totally professional is something that we should all strive for.
2. My original profession of physiotherapy has changed out of all recognition over the past 10 years or so. Gone are the days when the topic of Massage and Touch was taught at under graduate level and it is now considered to be 'fringe' by many health authorities. It can only be learnt on specialist post graduate courses and programmes - what a sad indictment! Public funded physiotherapy seems to rely on exercise therapy and electrotherapy - the patient is hardly touched at all!!
3. Many physiotherapists practise do acupuncture - but it is generally Western medical pin sticking that uses formulae. It is almost impossible to receive traditional acupuncture in the pubic sector. By just treating symptoms by using formulaic acupuncture, you are reducing the practitioner to being an automaton.

Maybe I am just a grumpy old man - but I know what I would rather be doing and I shall shout from the rooftops where I think injustices occur - Keep well!!! JRC

Baby germs et al

No medical posting this week as I am laid low with a chest infection due to a combination of getting dust in my throat whilst clearing out the byre (large shed) and a strep. infection courtesy of my granddaughter! So it is lots of Vitamin C, garlic, and throat pastilles before commencing on a rare course of antibiotics.

My poor wife Andrea now has to telephone all my patients whom I should have seen tomorrow and try and rearrange them - not so easy as we have very few spaces, so we shall have to work on our days off.

A double blow as we are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversay this w/e and had been invited out for a slap up lunch - we can always go later on and be like the Queen by having several celebrations!!

The Mental Body

Firstly apologies for late posting - we have been 'south' for a few days visiting family and celebrating one of our grandchild's baptism + our anniversary.

The Mental body can be approximately 12 inches to 3 feet away from the physical The sensation of 'congestion' or energy imbalance in this body is felt by slight electric shocks or tingling under the fingers. As with the Emotional body, ascertain the exact area of imbalance by doing gentle sweeps with the dominant hand. The sensations are VERY subtle. Even though the sensation is more subtle than the denser bodies, do not get lulled into a situation that nothing is occurring - healing at this level is very powerful. At this level there is no need to balance with the coupled area of the body - for once the non-dominant hand is redundant. Hold the hand steady in the 'tingling' area and the sensation should disappear within a minute or two. This is often heralded by the client yawning or sighing! Feel around for any other tingly regions and 'treat' those. If it is at practical, the next stage would be to 'energy balance the region with the Crown chakra - but that is a discussion in its own right which we shall cover next. Feedback always welcome - JRC