A ll chiropractors are experts in monitoring the body"s resistance against gravity and its attempts to maintain an upright posture. I need mention only joint mobility, compensatory muscle contractions and their relationship to subluxation and structural misalignments to be understood. I refer to this as the 1st Factor in Chiropractic. However, what is often forgotten is that the body "s organ systems share common spinal inncn ations with the joints and muscles. What affects one is reflected in the function of the other. Structure affects function, and vicc-vcrsa. I refer to this as the 2nd Factor in Chiropractic. While the doctor is concentrating on the structural problems the patient has consulted them for. the patient may have a visceral dysfunction that is causing muscle contraction, which is perpetuating and preventing correction of the patients chief structural complaint. It is important for the doctor to remember that patients are usually more relaxed while sitting in the waiting room than in the presence of the doctor. They will often give the assistant information pertinent to their condition that they do not give to the doctor. Yet. this information may be of great value to the doctor in properly evaluating the patient's problem. I would like you to consider a system in which your staff can become a very important part of your healing team by recommending a simple two minute exam to those patients that may not know you arc trained in recognizing visceral causes of structural misalignments and subluxations. For example, the staff can recommend the quick and convenient Chiropractic Stress Evaluation for the patient, a friend or family member, make the appointment, and even be present in the examination room to record the exam findings. The CA can then help the patient with a simple six week program that includes food enzyme nutrition and monitor follow-up appointments for the doctor. The procedure is quick and convenient to learn, and can be implemented without changing office procedure. advertising, or buying new equipment. Implementing this methodology to identify the cause of chronic recurring structural problems will improve not only your clinical results but patient compliance as well. Of course, the office will have to be prepared for improved referrals and income. This system is what I refer to as the 2nd Factor in Chiropractic, or food enzyme nutrition, the missing link in nourishing the body. This is a system that delivers nutrients past an incompetent digestive system. How many of those do you see every day? Food enzyme nutrition is the key to maintaining health and preventing chronic degenerative conditions. Again, structure affects function, and function affects structure. How your patients digest food affects how well their adjustments will hold. All nutritional references and studies recommend eating at least six sen ings of FRESH fniits and vegetables each day to maintain health. What do fresh fniits and vegetables contain that canned fniits and vegetables do not? The naturally occurring ENZYMES found in uncooked and unprocessed foods. Food enzymes arc found in all living substances, including raw foods. They must be considered as essential nutrients because they initiate digestion in the upper stomach at least an hour before our own digestive processes begin, assuming you have chewed your food. Thus, they can be used to deliver nutrients past an incompetent digestive system! Imagine assisting the body's normal digestive processes and moving the key ingredients found in the patients" diet into the body BEFORE stomach acid can even begin the digestive process. Ask yourself: how many of your patients have digestive problems? We readily recognize the ones already taking over-the-counter or prescription dnigs for the vague symptoms of indigestion. How many of your patients have vague digestive problems such as frequent gas and bloating that manifest as muscle contraction, loss of joint mobility, structural misalignment, and subluxation? Experience has taught me that the vast majority of patients have digestive inadequacy for one reason or another. Food enzymes are essential nutrients, yet they are systematically removed from our food supply in order to extend shelf-life, which is necessary to feed our modem society. While other essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, arc added back into processed foods, the enzymes arc not. Maximizing staff knowledge about supplemental enzymes lias the potential to increase efficiency and income in your practice. While beneficial for the doctor, your staff will find it personally and professionally rewarding to become part of your health team. Article Two in this four-part scries will focus on The Importance of Office Staff in Recognizing When Enzyme Supplementation is Needed. For more information sec our ad on the inside cover of this publication. Dr. Loom is has an extensive background in enzymes and enzyme supplements. He is the Jounder and president of Enzyme Formulations®, Inc. His knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and enz\mology has made him a sought-after speaker and a prolific writer. Dr. Loomis published ENZYMES: The Key to Health in 1999. Contact info: 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, III 53719, customerservicefdloomisinstilute.com