As chiropractors, we have likely heard this: "My doctor gave me a prescription for medication, but I don't want to take it. Should I?" This is a tricky question for a chiropractor. First, scope of practice prohibits us from placing a patient on or taking a patient off of any medication. Second, we know that in many cases the patient may require "something" to control inflammation or to reduce pain intensity. Finally, if you as the chiropractor do not have anything to offer that patient as an alternative to the medication, and a need for inflammation or pain control exists, how do you justify suggesting that they not stick with the prescribed medication?

As a chiropractor who sees about 75% sports injury patients, this was a question that I needed to answer, and quickly. Like a lot of DCs, I had many patients who presented with sprains/strains, tendinitis, and other conditions with an inflammatory component and a pain component. Given what we know about the damaging side effects of many medications (over-the-counter or prescribed), I felt strongly that recommending these was not the answer, either (especially since the patients themselves did not want to take them).

I looked into the many supplements that are available to chiropractors these days. Proteolytic enzymes, Essential Fatty Acid formulas, omega-3, glucosamine, chondroitin, and many of the other supplements appeared to be a possible solution to my dilemma.

My research led me to Anabolic Laboratories, a nutritional supplement manufacturer, and I decided to move forward with carrying and recommending Anabolic Laboratories' supplements to my patients.

As a sports DC, I deal exclusively with conditions of the musculoskeletal system. I am very biomechanical in my approach to treatment. I identify biomechanical dysfunction, and I attempt to restore as much normal function to the affected regions as I can, so that my patients can get back to their marathons, triathlons, or whatever activity makes them happier and healthier. The more I learned about these supplements, the more I realized that biochemical factors such as diet, nutrient depletion, and overmedication can contribute to the underlying cause of the biomechanical dysfunction I am attempting to correct.

As I looked more closely at the supplements that were available to me, I became increasingly concerned about the endless options and the varying amounts of research that support their effectiveness. As a result, I decided to carry only supplements that were indicated in the treatment or maintenance of musculoskeletal health and only those that had sufficient evidence supporting their effectiveness.

Turning Point

I began to recommend Zymain™, Pro-Enz™, and concentrated omega-3 fish oil, all indicated for the reduction of acute as well as chronic inflammation; Neuro-ease, indicated for the relaxation of hypertonic muscles; Salizain, indicated for the reduction of pain; glucosamine sulfate/chondroitin sulfate, indicated in the maintenance of joint health; and bone-support formula, a comprehensive supplement indicated in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

In addition to assisting my patients in getting through injuries and returning to their active lifestyles quicker, these supplements provided me—and subsequently my patients—with an alternative to over-the-counter or prescribed medications. In all fairness to these medications, we are lucky to have them. They certainly have their place in the realm of treatment options, but I have learned that in many instances they can be replaced with nutritional supplements that enable patients to reap the same benefits in a healthier, more natural way.

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Over time, I began to see the real benefits of these supplements. My patients were moving through the acute phase of their conditions faster and with less pain. The combination of my manual treatments, physical therapy, and the indicated supplements was resulting in quicker resolutions of my patients' conditions. Although supplements were not effective in 100% of cases, the majority responded very well; and in 99% of the cases, patients reported no side effects.

Finding a company with quality supplements as well as a dedication to research and continuing education for the chiropractic profession was certainly a turning point for me and my practice.

Russel V. Antico, DC, CCSP, CSCS, is founder and clinical director of Howard County Chiropractic Spine & Sports Rehabilitation LLC in Columbia, Md. Contact him at .