Paul Polak's Blog

... but let's talk about swine flu

American Cancer Society in 2003 stated the following: Each year, a staggering 440,000 people die in the US from tobacco use. Nearly 1 of every 5 deaths is related to smoking. Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.

So why have we heard so much hype about the swine flu being so dangerous?

simple answer: money.

Scare people about the swine flu and people will run out to get vaccines and medications (including antibiotics which may i remind you do NOTHING for a virus-born illness; antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses)

but that's small bananas compared to the other side of the money trail... I'm talking about the MILLIONS of dollars big tobacco uses to lobby.

 " The tobacco industry has been increasing its lobbying expenditures since 2006, going from $19.7 million that year to $28.4 million in 2008"

"Big Tobacco will also be a little smaller than it has in years past--the biggest manufacturer, Philip Morris, supports the bill as long as the FDA is prohibited from completely banning tobacco products or ordering the removal of nicotine from them. Philip Morris's parent company, Altria Group, spent $13.8 million lobbying in 2008, which is four times more than the second-largest spender, Lorillard Tobacco spent. Lorillard is a subsidiary of Loews Corp.

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/03/tobacco-lobby-lights-up-debate.html

Moral of the story:  It's okay to kill people as long as you have enough money to throw around.

So far as an XRI...

In just one month as an X-ray intern (XRI), I've learned a lot so far.  The experience in taking x-rays has really helped.  I've already learned some great tips for making x-rays better, especially on tricky views like an A-P open mouth and A-P lumbo-pelvic.  I still have a long ways to go, but I feel I am much more comfortable compared to where I would be had I not became an XRI.  Plus, the information should be very valuable when it comes to upcoming boards as well.  Also, I got to see some situations that tend to be challenging that you may not see since 15 sets (the amount required to complete clinic) isn't really a lot.  For example, really large patients or people with TMJ problems that can't open their mouth (which is kind of important in an A-P OPEN MOUTH)  But all in all, I'm really glad to be doing the XRI program.

The technique question....

Its hard trying to figure out what technique is going to resonate with you... but the thing that makes it even more difficult is how most of the techniques don't agree with each other anyway.  I'm trying to learn as much as I can about as many of them as I can, biomechanically, neurologically, research, etc.  Then after getting to Sherman and being here for a few years, I still don't know which techniques are really effective and which are B.S.  Plus, many of the techniques are quick to point out why other techniques don't work, but they don't focus nearly as much on why their technique DOES work.  And honestly, at times it made me question the validity of chiropractic as a whole.  All these technique "camps" are bashing each other, but how many of them are putting out legit research to prove to all the people they say "don't get it" (medical doctors, researches, the general public).  How about we get off our high horse and realize that people aren't going to buy into what we say just because we can show them how a model spine moves to slightly close an opening.  If we don't have legit research.... and yes, that means doing double-blind extensive studies and all that jazz... we are never going to gain ground in the "widespread credibility" camp.  Bank it.

wow, its been busy....

wow, this first quarter in outpatient clinic has been busy so far.  any brand new outpatients have to go through the start-up procedure (case history, spinal exam, phys exam, x-rays if needed, etc) before we can adjust them.  But doing that on all of your patients is really really time consuming.  Once I get through this wave of start ups.. I'm sure it will be much more streamlined.  And I haven't even mentioned the multitude of paperwork outside of those procedures lol.  Heath maintenance and promotion form, problem list, etc etc etc etc.....

But still, I'm really excited to finally be in outpatient clinic... its time to finally get this big ball of wax rolling...

PS.  GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

My 30th Birthday!

wow, I just went up a digit.  Sure doesn't seem like it.  I still feel 20..... ish lol.  But anyway, thanks to everyone who came out Thursday for habachi and sushi!  I had a great time, and Saturday eveyone is invited to come to Greenville and help me celebrate bringing in a new decade! 

Random Pop Interview #2

Same rules as before....

Q:  "What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "chiropractic"?

A:  "Spine"


Q: "What's something good you've heard about chiropractic?"

A:  "Makes ya feel good."

Q: "What's something bad you've heard about chiropractic?"

A: "It can hurt."

Q: "In your opinion, what can chiropractic do to improve the profession?  just in general, as in the reader's digest version..."

A:  "Explain it better to patients and educate them more.  And be truthful, I've seen too many chiropractors try to Bull s#$% patients."


Q: "In your opinion, who is the greatest hockey player in history?"

A:  "Mario"


Q: "True or false? the Pittsburgh Steelers have more Super Bowl trophies than any other team in history?"

A:  "True."

Q:  "If they were going to make a movie about my life, what actor would play me?"

A:  "Bradley Cooper, I can see him playing you pretty well, he does crazy pretty well haha"

Q:  "What famous person in history would make a great Chiropractor? and why?

A:  "Mean Joe Greene... big, big hands."

PT boards

We just took PT boards on Friday.  I guess it was pretty much what I expected.  The review that was given by our teachers was great and helped a lot.  Even though much of what was on the boards isn't what I plan to use as a Chiropractor, its good knowledge to have.  The one thing I didn't like about the whole PT thing was that during the class a guest instructor or two used "and you can charge for it" as one of the main reasons for doing many of the modalities.  That's fine, and everyone wants to make money, but how it can help our patients seemed to be pushed to the back most of the time.  But anyway, the PT boards were "eh" and I'm glad they're over.  Now, hopefully, I'll have more time to try and learn more about the 8 million different techniques there are in Chiropractic.

ps.  Go Pens!!!! Go Steelers!!!!

Random pop interview

Well, I decided to get someone else's perspective on Chiropractic.  So I flipped through my contacts list and randomly picked someone.  The only rule was they couldn't be a Sherman student or ex-girlfriend (I don't want to talk to them until AFTER I'm a doctor haha ;-)).

So here's the interview:

Q: "What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "chiropractic"?

A: "Apprehension, I've been told often to relax when being adjusted."



Q: "What's something good you've heard about chiropractic?"

A: "Testimonials of individuals who use chiropractic adjustments as a staple for long-term good health.



Q: "What's something bad you've heard about chiropractic?"

A: "That chiropractic can cause or increase risk of a stroke."



Q: "In your opinion, what can chiropractic do to improve the profession?  just in general, as in the reader's digest version..."

A: "Educating patients would entice them to return for more adjustment to maintain a healthy quailty of life instead of only when the pain is unbearable."



Q: "In your opinion, who is the greatest hockey player in history?"

A: "Oh without a doubt its Palmer Skeeyager."



Q: "True or false? the Pittsburgh Steelers have more Super Bowl trophies than any other team in history?"

A: "True Story...and Don't hate us cause you ain't us"

Video Fluoroscopy workshop

    Meghan and I just attended our third off-campus workshop for the ACR class.  This one was about video fluoroscopy at Dr. Auger's office.  It was great to see how video fluoroscopy works and what information it gives.  I'm curious as to how it can be used in research to to assess the benefits of chiropractic.  It would be interesting to see how different motions would correlate with certain listings.  Flexion and extension can be done to coincide with Pierce analysis.  Full spine views can be done for thoracic and lumbopelvic movement as well.  I'm definitely going to look into the information video fluoroscopy has to offer.

For those taking entrance exams!

For those taking entrance exams, i figured I would bump my super duper tips!

• Bring two #2 pencils... or at least one #4 pencil

 

• If you give Dr. Joe a raw carrot... the look he will give you is priceless.

• You won't have to bring a quart of motor oil.... so just leave it at home.

• If you bring spaghetti with meatballs and no eating utensils... everyone will be happy to just grab a couple handfuls.

•  

• Top hats are optional... but recommended.

• Don't use the restroom on the 3rd floor... unless its a MAJOR emergency.

• If someone tells you "good job"... don't kick them in the shin and yell "CALL ME PRINCESS NEXT TIME"

•  

• Have fun!.... unless you see on the test form that you can lose points for that.

I thought entrance exams were pretty fun actually.  I was great to go through that type of testing experience.  It wasn't really anything you could study for, it was just a series of practical tests of what you know and can do.  I hope everyone that just took them (and exit exams too) did great!

• Bring two #2 pencils... or at least one #4 pencil

 

• If you give Dr. Joe a raw carrot... the look he will give you is priceless.

• You won't have to bring a quart of motor oil.... so just leave it at home.

• If you bring spaghetti with meatballs and no eating utensils... everyone will be happy to just grab a couple handfuls.

•  

• Top hats are optional... but recommended.

• Don't use the restroom on the 3rd floor... unless its a MAJOR emergency.

• If someone tells you "good job"... don't kick them in the shin and yell "CALL ME PRINCESS NEXT TIME"

•  

• Have fun!.... unless you see on the test form that you can lose points for that.