Communicating With Your Patient’s MD Is Non-Negotiable

This article, authored by Ronald Feise, DC, makes a compelling case for mandatory communication between chiropractors and medical doctors, emphasizing it as a patient safety necessity rather than a mere professional courtesy. The core message is powerfully illustrated through a clinical case study: a 67-year-old patient, presenting with post-accident neck pain, had a complex medical history including severe atherosclerosis and multiple medications, none of which her previous chiropractor had discussed with her GP. Recognizing the high risk for vertebral artery dissection, Feise's clinic proactively requested medical records and consulted the patient’s GP, uncovering critical vertebral artery abnormalities that contraindicated cervical manipulation. By carefully managing the patient with alternative therapies like cold packs, electrical muscle stimulation, and thoracic manipulation, and maintaining open dialogue with the GP, the patient achieved excellent results, and the clinic gained a valuable referral partner. The article acknowledges studies showing no excess stroke risk with chiropractic care generally, but highlights that high-risk cases demand direct communication with medical providers. It concludes that demonstrating sound clinical judgment through interprofessional communication not only protects patients but also significantly elevates the chiropractic profession in the eyes of the medical community.