Tragically, about three years ago, Dr. Boris Del Cid, DC was severely injured in a horrific motorcycle accident. His spinal cord was nearly severed and this necessitated several extensive surgeries to save his life and a metal cage with metal screws to stabilize his spine. Although he survived, he was left without use of his legs and wheelchair bound.

As a result of compensatory adaptation his body underwent over time, he developed constant pain in his neck, shoulders, arms and elbows. Because of his chiropractic education and philosophy, he was opposed to taking pain medication due to the risks, side effects and potential addictive nature of these drugs. However, considering the metallic implants and appliances in his body, he recognized it would be difficult to get pain relief from traditional chiropractic and physiotherapy modalities such as ultrasound, heat, traction or electrical stimulation. He had tried acupuncture, however experienced minimal relief of his symptoms.

Dr. Del Cid had become aware that we had begun using a new therapy in our clinic and contacted us regarding possible treatment utilizing Cold Laser Therapy.

Cold Laser Therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects. These effects include pain reduction, increased circulation, decreased swelling, and greatly improved healing time. Multiple physiological responses are initiated by photobiostimulation and normal cell function is restored. This process is frequently curative and eliminates pain and other symptoms. Research demonstrates that injuries treated with laser therapy heal faster and that there is improvement in blood flow and lymphatic drainage as well as an improved immune response.

Since 2002, when Cold Lasers were approved by the FDA, the technology has rapidly advanced. “Super-Pulsed” Lasers are able to deliver the energy in a different manner; limiting the duration of the beam, thus large wattages can be used to create very large impulses of light energy. This highly effective treatment for the medium and even deep soft tissue structures within the body without the potential negative side effects of heat transfer. The treatment is safe and painless even for patients with metallic implants. Most Cold Laser devices are not Super-Pulsed and therefore can transfer heat and are contraindicated use in these patients.

Dr Del Cid was evaluated and treatment was initiated utilizing an “MR4 Super-Pulsed Laser“. After one visit, he stated that he was pain free in these areas for two weeks. He was seen again two weeks later and has reported that he has remained pain free.

Although we are gratified every day by seeing our patients realizing relief of pain as a result of this therapy, it was an exceptionally rewarding experience for my staff and me to witness Dr. Del Cid have such a positive outcome.

I have had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world and in doing so have always taken the time to study and learn about health care in the countries I visit and especially focus on chiropractic and other alternative methods.

Last summer, I had the honor to represent the United States and attend an educational seminar in Rimini, Italy.  It was a wonderful, thought provoking experience that allowed chiropractors from all over the world to meet and discuss the state and advances in the field of chiropractic in their respective countries.  It was of particular interest to me considering my grandparents were born in Italy, and still have family there. 

Since I have always promoted the spread and advancement of chiropractic throughout the world, I was pleased to see the changes in the state of my profession in Italy.

The Associazione Italiana Chiropratici (AIC) had announced that 17 years after the presentation of the first law proposal for professional recognition, on December 21, 2007, chiropractic was recognized by the Italian Parliament as a primary health care profession.  For more than three decades, the AIC has led a determined struggle to secure this vitally important legal recognition for chiropractic, in the face of equally determine medical opposition.

After years of unsuccessful attempts at professional recognition, an amendment concerning chiropractic finally opened the door of Italy's nationalized healthcare system to Doctors of Chiropractic. In a country that has the highest ratio of MDs to patients in the world (roughly 400,000 medical doctors-including several of my relatives-in a population of less than 57,000,000) and boasts less than 300 chiropractors, this was certainly no easy feat.

But it happened and the people of Italy are the benefactors of this progress.  We were all there to celebrate this historical event and support the Italian chiropractors.  I even thought I might stay and practice part time there, but instead decided to focus exclusively on my practice in Rancho Mirage, California.

The seminar was sponsered by Parker Chiropractic as well as the Italian Chiropractic Association.  I will always have fond memories of this event and appreciate what I learned and shared.