Doctors and health and wellness experts tackle the misconceptions people often have regarding their well-being. Do you really need to floss every night?
Trenton Chiropractic and Rehab
Chiropractor
643 W. Trenton Ave., Findlay
419-427-6300
www.trentonchiropracticandrehab.com
This statement is one that I hear on occasion and it always requires the follow up question of “Well, why did they say that?” Occasionally the person has a constellation of factors that would accurately contraindicate adjustment or manipulation of the spine. However, much more frequently, the recommendation is based purely on the other doctor’s bias or due to their lack of information on how manipulation and other treatment procedures work. When I speak with other healthcare professionals, I seek to educate them and communicate with them regarding their patients I am treating. When we have open lines of communication between doctors, the patient gets more efficient results for a better value and, typically, in a shorter period of time. The other thing I tell patients and doctors is that not all chiropractors are the same. We have different areas of technique, specialization and focus, mine being sports medicine and patients seeking to remain active. Some patients may have an area of the spine that should not be adjusted, but very often techniques can be used to benefit another problem the patient might have. Above all, I encourage people to always ask the right questions in regards to their personal health and wellness.
What is the funniest thing a child has asked you in an appointment?
“Does a dragon live back there?” In regards to the back door of our office as we could hear the muffled sounds of a truck revving its engine behind our building.
What is the most asked question by parents?
“Do you treat kids at this age?” What I tell most parents is yes, I adjusted my daughters shortly after birth. Because children are not just little adults, the treatment for an infant or a child is different than that for an adult.
What change in the past year has changed your field?
Ohio’s new concussion law has changed my practice in the last year. I have spent extra time continuing education and researching and learning about concussion. Due to some last minute back door dealings, chiropractors are no longer permitted to work on their own to evaluate and return concussed athletes to play, regardless of the status of their past experience, knowledge of the most recent information and extra study. Fortunately the legislation is currently being revisited to make it a requirement for all practitioners, regardless of their degree, to take extra concussion coursework in an effort to get everyone on the same page and make return to play even more safe for our young athletes.
If you could be another type of health care professional, what would you be?
I don’t know that I would change my profession, though I would like to see better communication between my profession and other healthcare professionals so that they understand our role in the field.
What is the craziest assumption people have of your field?
That all chiropractors are opposed to vaccination. Often the statement to “Make sure you do your own research” gets translated as “Don’t get vaccines.” Not all research is created equal, a random person’s blog is likely not as good of a resource as www.pubmed.gov, which is an excellent source for research regarding vaccination. It is true that some chiropractors are opposed, and are very vocal about it. However, in a survey of our profession, over 2/3 view vaccinations as beneficial and over 80% believe they should be mandatory or voluntary. It is my opinion that we need to continue to research vaccines and the immune response of infants and children as well as adults in an effort to eliminate the question of vaccine injury from being even a remote possibility.
Obstetrician and owner of Findlay and Tiffin Women’s Care
Findlay Women’s Care
1917 S. Main St., Findlay
419-420-0904
www.findlaywomenscare.com
People often have the misconception that you only need to have paps and mammograms if you have symptoms. That is most definitely not the case! Nor is it true that you only need mammograms if you have a family history of breast cancer. Current Pap smear guidelines are based on risks and include co-testing for HPV. If you follow the recommended screening, you can detect abnormal cells on the cervix before there is cervical cancer. Once detected, abnormal cells can be removed with a surgical procedure; thereby eliminating the progression of the disease. Mammograms should be done annually after age 40 and earlier if you have a first degree relative (mom/sister) that had breast cancer before age 50. A mammogram can detect breast cancer much earlier than it can be palpated, allowing for an earlier, and often less invasive intervention. Statistically there are more women diagnosed with breast cancer annually who do not have a family history of the disease than those diagnosed with a family history. Waiting for symptoms to test is waiting too long. Once there are symptoms there already is advanced cancer. Early detection is best!
What is the funniest thing a child has asked you in an appointment?
One of the funniest moments involving a child happened after listening for heart tones on a mom. Her little boy then asked me if I wanted to listen to the baby in his belly, too.
What is the most asked question by parents?
The question I probably hear most often from parents is the one that I cannot answer…. When do I think will the baby will come/when will labor happen?
What change in the past year has changed your field?
One of the biggest changes in obstetrics in the past year has been the increased availability and sensitivity of genetic testing from maternal blood. This has decreased the need for the more invasive testing of amniocentesis.
If you could be another type of health care professional, what would you be?
I cannot imagine being any other type of health care provider. I get to be present for one of the most amazing human events, the birth of a child.
What is the craziest assumption people have of your field?
People often assume that ob/gyn physicians only deliver babies. But in fact that is only about one half of most practices. We also provide healthcare for all aspects of women's health including annual wellness exams, infertility, gynecological problems and incontinence.
Dentist
Joseph E. Touhalisky, DDS
2133 Tiffin Ave., Findlay
419-427-1500
www.findlaydentist.com
Proper oral care isn’t just about having a beautiful and healthy smile. Recent research has found that there are over 100 medical conditions that can be detected in the early stages by a dentist. A high number of overall health conditions can have oral symptoms, such as ulcers, dry mouth, swollen or bleeding gums and bad breath. These conditions can often be an indicator of your overall health. In fact, one of the first indicators of poor health is trouble in your mouth. Take your oral health seriously. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash every day. Take note of any bleeding in your gums or anything unusual in your mouth. By taking good care of your teeth and treating any dental problems that may occur, you can keep your mouth healthy and contribute to your overall health. That is why it is so important to visit a dentist on a regular basis.
1789 E. Melrose Ave., Findlay
419-425-8680
www.biolifeplasma.com
Donating plasma is a very low risk FDA approved procedure. At BioLife plasma Services, we use sterile disposable materials. Any material that comes into contact with our donors is only used one time and then disposed in the proper biohazards method. Donating plasma is as safe as having blood drawn at a physician’s office or donating blood at a local blood drive.
What is the most asked question by parents?
Adults ask many questions, most commonly “does the procedure hurt?” Our answer is that the procedure is comparable to that of a doctor’s office blood draw or a whole blood donation.
What change in the past year has changed your field?
At BioLife plasma services, we have changed many things internally that the donors will not notice. All of these changes have positively impacted our donor’s visits. We strive to make our visits quick and efficient for our donors.
If you could be another type of health care professional, what would you be?
After a recent educational session about the products made with the plasma that are collected at BioLife plasma services, I have found a new admiration and respect to the clinical laboratory technicians that develop and discover ways to use this lifesaving human by-product. Creating ways to sustain and improve human life, I think, would be a very rewarding profession.
What is the craziest assumption people have of your field?
Individuals often think that the plasmapheresis procedure is very difficult or painful. When a new donor completes their first visit they are often surprised at the ease and level of comfort that they experience in our center.
