Public safety workers find comfort with their chiropractor Astudy of public safety personnel placed under chiropractic care reveals an improvement in the overall health of these workers. "Changes in Physical State and Self- Perceptions in Domains of Health Related Quality of Life among Public Safety Personnel Undergoing Chiropractic Care," authored by Spartanburg, S.C., Drs.Wesley McAllister andW.R.Boone - was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.The firefighters, emergency and public utility workers who took part in the study averaged five and a half months of chiropractic care.The patients ranged in age from the mid-20s to the late-60s.They were assessed on a weekly basis and adjusted when necessary. The research demonstrated that chiropractic care coincided with a decrease in back pain and other physical ailments after a relatively short period of time.The research also revealed that the patients themselves gave their general health and well-being a higher rating following care. "Even in the short term, chiropractic care benefited the health of the study group,"commented Dr. Charles Erd, an East Brunswick-based chiropractor. "The study depicts the workers' significant physical improvements and enhanced self-perceptions of their overall wellness - combining one's physical, mental and emotional status." "This is yet more research that defines the chiropractic profession,"he stated."Chiropractic in itself is not a cure, but a means of allowing the human body to operate as it was designed. And,when operating at peak efficiency, the human body can do great things - as these public safety workers came to find out," added Erd. Before the first physical assessment (cervical and lumbar range of motion, spinal balance, leg length, orthopedics, motor strength, reflexes and sensory tests) by their chiropractor - and then again at the end of the trial study - each patient was asked to rate his or her overall state of health.They were also asked to assess physical and mental well-being, stress level, quality of life perception and overall life enjoyment. The report found that, as a group, the individuals'physical discomforts decreased. Most importantly, all participants assessed their overall health and wellness to be much better than before they underwent regular chiropractic care.And, the subjects reported an improvement in their job performance and a substantial decrease in stress. "We have a vested interest in the well-being of our emergency and public safety personnel," said Erd."Regular chiropractic care can have tremendous positive effects on a patient's performance level,which translates into fewer sick days, a decreased risk of injury - and,with that, substantially lower medical expenses,"he continued. "Public safety workers endure stress and stress-related injuries - both physical and emotional,"concluded Erd."But, in this case, the chiropractic care they were afforded allowed their bodies to operate at a higher level. It just goes to show you that if you treat your body right, your body will take good care of you."