The above were the findings of a research project conducted in Australia where 420 patients were studied.  On October 5th 2002 at the 9th International Conference on Spinal Manipulation in Toronto, Ray Hayek, Ph.D., head of the investigative team told the assembly that patients afflicted with asthma may benefit from spinal manipulation in terms of symptoms, immunological capacity, and endocrine effects.

The proceedings and report of this study were published in the August 24, 2002 release from the Foundation for Chiropractic  Education and Research, (FCER). In that release Dr. Hayek reported that of the 420 patients in the study only those patients in the group which received spinal manipulation showed significant improvement in asthma symptoms, depression and anxiety.

The report also noted that there were positive biochemical and physiological changes that were not necessarily expected from spinal manipulation.  The report suggested, "These biochemical changes not only suggest that the effects of spinal manipulation are more far-reaching than commonly believed, but that they may be more long-term as well."

Although the study was not specific to chiropractic care, chiropractic adjustments are the most specific form of spinal manipulation. The findings of the above study reinforce other studies previously performed that show the benefit of chiropractic care for those suffering with asthma. In a study conducted in 1996 by the Michigan Chiropractic Association (MCA), a panel of doctors performed an outcomes assessment study to test the qualitative and quantitative effectiveness of chiropractic care on children with asthma. The results of this study showed that after 30 days of chiropractic health care, patients averaged only one asthma attack, whereas prior to this study they were experiencing more than four attacks. Additionally, in the Michigan study it was noted that medications, which can be costly, were decreased by nearly 70 percent in the patients who participated.

Under the category of "strange but true", according to the October 2002 issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, research has shown that duct tape is more effective at removing warts than standard medical treatment.  The study was conducted at the Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma, Washington.  In the research 51 patients with warts between the ages of 3 and 22 were studied.  One group received standard medical treatment for warts (cryotherapy) which consisted of liquid nitrogen applied to each wart for 10 seconds every 2-3 weeks for a maximum of 6 treatments. The other group had duct tape applied directly to the wart for a maximum of 2 months.

The results showed that of the 51 patients completing the study, 26 (51%) were treated with duct tape, and 25 (49%) were treated with cryotherapy. Twenty-two patients (85%) in the duct tape group vs 15 patients (60%) enrolled in the cryotherapy group had complete resolution of their warts.  The researchers stated the obvious in their conclusion, "Duct tape occlusion therapy was significantly more effective than cryotherapy for treatment of the common wart."

According to lead researcher Dr. Dean "Rick" Focht III of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the duct tape irritated the warts, which apparently caused an immune system reaction that attacked the growths. He said researchers did not test other kinds of tape, and so they cannot say whether there is anything special about the gray, heavy-duty, fabric-backed tape.

The report in the journal did mention that there had been some reports of occlusion therapy (tape) for warts in the past.  But there was no mention of why duct tape specifically was chosen for the study.  Several comedians including Tim Nyberg, one-half of the comedy duo, "Duct Tape Guys" are having a field day with this latest research. "It's the universal panacea," Nyberg said.

According to a report in the October 22, 2002 issue of the "Guardian Unlimited" from England, back pain among children is becoming a growing epidemic. Professor Peter Buckle, of the University of Surrey's Robens centre for health ergonomics in Guildford England, as many as 40% of schoolchildren could be affected. He also noted a Danish study which showed that 51% of 13- to 16-year-olds had reported lower back pain in the previous year, as well as a study in the north-west of England which found 24% of 11 to 14-year-olds had complained of backache in the previous month.

In response the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), is recommending that parents bring their children in to see chiropractors. Dr. Stephen Hughes, a member of the BCA says, "It's something I'm seriously worried about."  "The critical issue is that these youngsters are still growing, and they are already experiencing difficulties. The spine is incredibly resilient and usually it can put up with a lot of wear and tear over many years before it starts to actually hurt. When you're getting real pain in a child that means there's already going to be some considerable inflammation - so by the stage you see them it's an established problem

The article blames several causes for the back problems in children.  They mention the long hours sitting at desks, lack of physical exercise, carrying heavy loads of books and working at computers for long periods as some of the possible culprits.  According to the article the suggested remedies for this situation include encouraging children to play sport outside of school as well as looking for opportunities for active family pursuits such as walking, cycling, swimming, and a chiropractic spinal checkup.