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A Brief History Of Chiropractic The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice. Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are misalignment of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal nerves and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health. Hippa privacy form QUALITY CHIROPRACTIC 6231 Leesburg Pike Suite 201 Falls Church, VA 22044 Tel: (703) 237-0404 Fax: (703) 237-7828 POLICY FOR PATIENT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW CHIROPRACTIC AND COVERED CLINICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. It is the intent of this practice to be fully in compliance with the newly enacted federal privacy and confidentiality requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) at all times. To this end, we are obliged to state a number of policies regarding confidentiality and obtain your consent to the procedures we have established as a result of this law. In the course of care as a patient at Quality Chiropractic, we may use or disclose personal and health related information about you in the following ways: FOR CARE: your personal health information, including your clinical records may be disclosed to another health care provider or hospital if it is necessary to refer you for further diagnosis, assessment or care. FOR PAYMENT: Your health care records as well as your billing records may be disclosed to another party, such as an insurance carrier, HMO, PPO or employer, if they are or may be responsible for payment for your services. FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS: Your name, address, phone number and your health records may be used to contact you regarding appointment reminders, workshops, information about alternatives to your present care, or other health related information that may be of interest to you. The policy of this office is to obtain your permission to leave a message on your answering machine, if you are not available to receive an appointment reminder. We may also mail information to you regarding your health care such as reminder postcards, your account status, and a monthly newsletter as a service and convenience. Your signature on this form shall represent acknowledgment and approval of this communication policy. If you would like to receive this information at an address other than your home or, if you would like the information in a different form please advise us in writing as to your preferences. Further, you have the right to inspect or obtain a copy of the information we will use for these purposes. You also have the right to refuse to provide authorization for this office to contact you regarding these matters. If you do not provide us with this authorization it will not affect the care provided to you or the reimbursement avenues associated with your care. Under federal law, we are also permitted or required to use or disclose your health information without your consent or authorization in these following circumstances: · If we are providing health care services to you based on the orders of another health care provider. · If we provide health care services to you in an emergency. · If we are required by law to provide care to you and we are unable to obtain your consent after attempting to do so. · If there are substantial barriers to communicating with you, but in our professional judgment we believe that you intend for us to provide care. · If we are ordered by the courts or another appropriate agency. Any use or disclosure of your protected health information, other than as outlined above, will only be made upon your written authorization. You have the right to inspect and/or copy your health information for seven years from the date that the record was created or as long as the information remains in our files. In addition, you have the right to request an amendment to your health information. Requests to inspect, copy or amend your health related information should be provided to us in writing. We are required by state and federal law to maintain the privacy of your patient file and the protected health information therein. We are also required to provide you with this notice of our privacy practices with respect to your health information. We are further required by law to abide by the terms of this notice while it is in effect. We reserve the right to alter or amend the terms of this privacy notice. If changes are made to our privacy notice we will notify you in writing as soon as possible following the changes. Any change in our privacy notice will apply for all of your health information in our files. Information that we use or disclose based on this privacy notice may be subject to re-disclosure by the person to whom we provide the information and may no longer be protected by the federal privacy rules. If you would like further information about our privacy policies and practices or if you have a complaint regarding our privacy notice, our privacy practices or any aspect of our privacy activities, please contact: Dr. Camille D’Amato D.C. 6231 Leesburg Pike Suite 201 Falls Church, VA 22044 (703) 237-0404