More is Not Necessarily Better

Recently, a colleague with a shoulder problem was frustrated that low level laser was not helping his condition like he thought if should.  Then after our latest Activator Methods seminar we were both reminded of the fact that when using laser more is not always better.  As a matter of fact high levels of laser actually inhibit the healing process.  This is one of the known features of laser.  Low dosages stimulate healing while high dosages inhibit.  Inhibition, while seemingly negative, can be of great therapeutic value.  In my friend's case the high power he was using was not beneficial.  He has since reduced the power of his shoulder treatment and is getting better results.

The more is not always better approach applies to more than just laser.  I've used the light force Activator adjusting instrument for over 25 years.  The results I've gotten have been equal to or superior to many procedures which use much more force.  As a matter of fact a research study at the University of Calgary has demonstrated the Activator instrument created more bone motion than manual adjustments which used many times the force.  The Activator analysis system also follows the more is not necessarily better approach.  It indicates where to adjust, when to adjust and, of equal importance, when not to adjust.  The when not to adjust is often the toughest part for us chiropractors to grasp but the body responds best when we pay heed to it's needs and not our wants.  I know that my body responds best when I'm I receive the only the optimal number of adjustive thrusts.

In human nutrition, each individual responds to differently to levels of specific nutrients.  Some people need higher dosages than other to achieve benefits.  On the flip side, some people respond much better to lower levels of nutritional supplement intake.  That's what makes nutritional counseling such a challenge.  Each individual is different and more is not always better.

The challenge as a chiropractor when adjusting, using laser therapy, or recommending nutritional products to determine the optimal level for each patient.  Too little and the results are poor.  Too much and the results are poor.  Reminds me of the three bears story.  The chair, the porridge, and the bed needed to be just rightto make Goldilocks happy .  Optimal therapy produces optimal results.  It can be a challenge to get it right.