Commentary from the front lines of chiropractic

That may seem grandiose, but after all, pain and being human often go hand in hand. While any animal with a nervous system must likely feel pain, only humans have the capacity to describe and measure its impact.

That's what we want to do here: describe, measure, discuss and perhaps come to solutions. This column, then, has the lofty ambition to inform, entertain, and celebrate being human.

To put a human face on this, the first offering, let me share some personal information. To quote famous fellow Brooklynite Walt Whitman, "I celebrate myself, and sing myself..." I'm very proud of my New York City roots, and reading the New York Times is one of my daily pleasures. After Brooklyn, I moved into my Long Island period where I received my undergraduate degree from S.U.N.Y@Stony Brook (1976) and my Doctor of Chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College (1981). My wife and I are married for 25 years, and are the proud parents of a 21-year-old daughter who recently got into medical school. I chose my profession out of an appreciation for natural health and my desire to assist the body's ability to heal itself.

While I consider myself the consummate professional, I am sometimes overwhelmed with empathy for the plight of my patients. As a middle-aged person, I have not been immune from some of the same health concerns my patients share. Chiropractic is a physically demanding occupation, so I, too, can relate to the painful effects of labor. Plus, as a runner and Pilates enthusiast, I can strongly identify with the risks and benefits of athletic conditioning. As a father, husband, brother, and son I've also dealt with my share of familial health concerns common to us all.

As a human being and as a practicing Chiropractic Physician for the past 30 years I have accrued considerable knowledge – and some wisdom -- about the causes and management of common painful conditions.

For instance, I have observed (and always been fascinated by) the diversity of behavioral reactions and personality changes that pain patients exhibit, and I want to communicate what that can teach us.

And speaking of pain, I'm often personally challenged and perplexed by the financial aspects of the doctor-patient-insurance triumvirate and their impact on care.

I'll discuss all that – and much more – in future postings.

Dr. Glen Bobker, a Chiropractic Physician, is in private practice at the Downtown Chiropractic & Orthotic Center, 1601 E. Broward Boulevard, (954) 463-1166. http://ftlaudchiro.com/

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