Dr Peter Levy visited McTimoney College back in February this year to introduce Neuro Muscular re-education. A hands on soft tissue technique for the evaluation and functional treatment of soft tissues injuries. During the two hour overview Dr Levy demonstrated how the concept is used to treat the shoulder. Alan Craft, Chiropractor and delegate volunteered to be the 'body' for the demonstration. Afterwards Alan told us, "Dr Levy was an engaging speaker. Personally I very much enjoyed hearing him talk about getting patients back to what they want to be doing with their bodies as quickly as possible. I was used as a demonstration body by Dr Levy. The techniques used on the muscles and reasoning was quite precise as a whole. I'm certainly considering doing a weekend course to find out more." Judy Townsend coordinates the NMR courses here in the UK. The next phase of courses are running this August, a few places are still available. Student discounts are available for the Level 1 & 2 seminars. If you'd like to book for both Level 1 & 2, it's a "book one, get one half-price" deal. Give me a call on 07894 545783 for more info, or checkout: http://judithtownshend.co.uk/nmr-seminars/. Although the description of this evening initially I was concerned about – not wanting to become a ninja – I have been finding that as I progress through the course I am finding that doing adjustments is having a negative impact on my own body as I get adjusted back. My shoulders, clavicles and rib as well as my pubic symphysis. So when I read the poster I thought that it would be good to learn how to physically prepare myself so that I minimise the negative impact on my body of giving other people adjustments. But the evening was so much more than I expected. I certainly wasn’t expecting to have a physical training session that involved running, skipping, side stepping, press ups, poses similar to yoga and all outside in the beautiful sunshine. Lance our instructor was fabulous. He was warm, caring and incredibly knowledgeable. He talked about his own experience of being a student and how very early on he released - having had a lower lumbar disc prolapse - that having physical strength and positioning ourselves to perform adjustments is of paramount importance if we are to be ‘serving our patients’ longer than 10 years or in Lances case into his 80s (he is only young now).
What I took away from the evening was threefold. 1) We need to prepare ourselves mentally to treat our patients: we need to leave behind our stresses and worries in order to be able to serve our patients in the best way we can. 2) we need to be able to physically fit in order to be able to effectively apply adjustments and treat as many patients as we can/want 3) when we adjust we need to get ourselves physically in the right place in order to protect our bodies and the forces that come back into our bodies are dissipated throughout us rather than focussed on one part of our body and consequently give us an adjustment back. Our taster session was fabulous – I thoroughly enjoyed it and would want to do more if the opportunity arises. Although I still don’t want to be a ninja. Paula Hart Yr 4 FTE Danielle Webster, Chris Barron, Tacy Wright and Jodi Harris have all began their adventure to the WCCS AGM in Paris. The main event starts today. The delegation will keep us updated via the McTimoney WCCS Facebook page. Keep a look out to find out who the speakers are this year, what they cover and all the other activities and discussions that take place during congress. We already know the AGM next year is being organised by Life West WCCS and will be held in San Francisco, USA. You could be part of the delegation, just get involved! A little bit of info about this years delegates: Danielle Webster, Year 2 FT programme and a Director of McTimoney WCCS Chapter Dani initially worked in retail before becoming a chiropractic assistant. Dani said "I fell in love with chiropractic and wanted to further my knowledge so I decided to become a chiropractor myself." Once she had started at McTimoney Dani joined WCCS to gain further insight of chiropractic at an international level whilst also expanding her chiropractic family. Dani was fortunate enough to secure a place to attend the AGM in Atlanta, USA in 2015 where she was able to take part in the formalities of congress whilst also forging new friendships with other Chiropractic students who have the same passion and drive about chiropractic as she does. Dani loves a joke and can be found telling Christmas jokes all year round and still make them funny (or so she tells us!). Her other claim to fame is that she is able recite all the words to Toy Story 1 & 2 and is currently working on Toy Story 3 Good luck to her room mates in Paris! Chris Barron, Year 2 FT programme Chris is a thirty year old veteran of catering holding many different titles and awards but has never really been truly happy with what he did. By his reckoning he is one of the oldest students in his year, but still likes to think he has the mental age of a twenty year old although he feels his body disagrees! He likes to run at hundred mile an hour and has the curiosity of a cat. Following a treatment at a chiropractors he realised there was still life in the old dog after all and he too could take on the challenge of going back to study and becoming a Chiropractor. Chris says "It wasn’t until I had a back problem that I discovered chiropractic and realised there was something I could truly do and enjoy on personal level and a professional one, whilst really making a difference." Tacy Wright, Year 1 FT programme and a Director of McTimoney WCCS Chapter Tacy was introduced to chiropractic by some very enthusiastic chiropractor friends who lead her to curtail a career as a veterinary nurse and join McTimoney College of Chiropractic. Tacy has joined the WCCS Chapter to not only push her own personal boundaries, but also to become part of the greater chiropractic community, encouraging unity and understanding for such an amazing profession. Her first year is flying by, and the little chiro seed she began with has an ever-growing thirst for more! Tacy is looking forward to making new friends and new memories whilst being part of WCCS and McTimoney College exciting organisation. Jodi Harris, Year 1 FTE programme Jodi's journey with Chiropractic began as a patient, receiving regular adjustments pre and post surgery. Despite having many other health care professionals attend to her well being, Chiropractic made the biggest difference. Armed with this insight into the profession Jodi decided to pursue the career of a Chiropractor so she could assist others with obtaining their health goals. Prior to being a Chiropractic patient and then student Jodi worked as a private freelance chef all over the world, whilst studying. She quickly came to realise that new places and people provide new opportunities to learn and grow. Jodi believes that knowledge is power and WCCS to her means connecting with Chiropractic students from all over the world, sharing knowledge, aspirations and experiences. Something we have learned about Jodi: When she is nervous she has a default face that ends up with her mouth morphing into the shape of a trout fish. Jodi finds it pretty embracing because she knows she is doing it but can’t stop it from happening. Gorgeous! Good Luck all of you from all of us. Applications for Delegates is now OPEN
The 38th World Congress of Chiropractic Students Annual General Meeting will be hosted by Ifec - French Institute European De Chiropratique between 22 -29 April 2016. The McTimoney WCCS Chapter invite any WCCS members interested in taking part, to submit an application. The events are extremely well organised, with a raft of local and world renowned speakers, events, activities, debate and discussion, tours of the college and facilities as well as outings around the local area. These AGM’s, and the ongoing work during the year, are very important to the Chiropractic profession and you being there, building relationships, networking and helping to make decisions on behalf of the student population, is enormously important to the future of Chiropractic. You are part of that future so why not get involved for the greater good of Chiropractic. There is still time if you are not already a member of McTimoney WCCS, go to the website and join, then submit your application. All we ask is be present and get involved any way you can. APPLICATION This needs to be a (no more than) 500 words written application. Please include something along the lines of; why you wish to go, what you can contribute to the McT Chapter and how that would then reflect in joining the global community of Chiropractic Students. Do you have any skills from previous experiences that you can bring to the table, what are you looking to personally gain from participating in the WCCS & AGM? Do you have any personal thoughts for the future of Chiropractic? Mail these to: [email protected] with “AGM Delegation” in the title. Heidi Haavik Tuesday 15th December 2015 Session One 1 - 4pm £15 Session Two 6 - 9pm £15 Or both sessions £25 There will be an opportunity to meet Heidi, purchase 'Reality Check', and maybe even have it signed, during the break. Refreshments will also be available in between the two sessions. Students and Chiropractors are welcome Places will be limited so make sure you book your ticket early ( ) to avoid disappointment McTimoney WCCS Chapter in partnership with BACS committee. By Danielle Webster This year Larisa Bogle, Amanda Waters and I represented the McTimoney chapter at the 37th World Congress of Chiropractic Students Annual General Meeting, hosted by Life University in Atlanta from 3-10 April 2015. Finally the wait was over and the day arrived for my very first WCCS AGM. At the opening ceremony Larisa and Amanda, having represented Mctimoney at previous WCCS events, moved effortlessly through the excitable crowd of chiropractic students. As we moved amongst the delegates and introduced ourselves it became clear that this was not as scary as I had imagined it was a big family and we shared a common belief. My initial anxiety soon disappeared as each and every new person I met welcomed me with a big smile and open arms. The main purpose of the day was to get to know each other, gain trust and build relationships. Everyone took part in team building games in the grounds followed by a tour of the ‘Life U’ campus. The campus is incredible. As well as cutting edge classrooms and facilities Life University has over 5 miles of running paths cutting their way through beautiful scenery, a top class rugby field and a state champion rugby league team. Life University really is a vitalistic powerhouse within the chiropractic world. The entrance is dominated by the Dr Sid Williams monument, huge hands in position for a toggle adjustment. Originally modelled on Dr Sid’s hands the bronze cast is 5.5 metres high and 3.5 metres wide. Behind this is the 14 metre tall bell tower that contains a flaming torch. The burning flame represents the spirit of chiropractic and remembrance of Chiropractors that were persecuted. In the evening Life U hosted a Cowboy themed BBQ. WCCS alumni were invited to attend the first few days of congress; in return they delivered workshops providing detail of their experiences once they had graduated. It was really interesting and enlightening to hear how being part of WCCS had also helped them in beyond their college days. A great evening spent further developing networks and friendships. The first day of congress started with debating the proposals that had been put forward by different Universities for this year. Roberts rules are used to ‘manage’ the debate. A great tool but took a little bit of getting used to and so the first proposal took up the whole morning! This was followed by a presentation from Dr Guy Riekeman, president of Life University and a second generation chiropractor with over 40 years experience. Dr Riekeman talked about the correlation of the rise of Chiropractic with the introduction of Wolves back to Yellowstone National Park. (Youtube, How wolves change rivers) The afternoon was taken up with delegation and group photographs. The photographs show just how small I am in comparison to the hands! Billet night followed. Life University WCCS members host a small group of delegates at their house providing food and entertainment for the evening. This was a great way of getting to know each other, sharing ideas on philosophy and Chiropractic. Day three started in a similar vain to day two, another early morning at congress working our way through proposals and resolutions followed on by a Chiropractor presentation. Dr Roy W. Sweat was born in 1927 and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1946, he is now 88 years old and having practiced chiropractic for over 60 years still shows little signs of slowing down, popping in to talk to us during his lunchbreak! Dr Sweat’s talk was primarily focused on his tool and technique of atlas adjustment using an ‘atlas orthogonal adjuster’. The evenings event was held at The Georgia State Aquarium, the second largest aquarium in the world. After dinner Dr Gilles LaMarche talked us through his Chiropractic story and how having regular Chiropractic treatment has improved his life. Dr Jeanne Ohm an international lecturer (and Chiropractor) kicked off day four, providing an insight into her views on Chiropractic for paediatric and family wellness. Dr.Ohm is the CEO for the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association (ICPA) as well as a published author and researcher of pregnancy, birth, children and chiropractic. Dr Ron Kirk a lecturer at Life U has developed the world recognised ‘Straighten Up America’ program to educate children on maintaining their own spinal health. This program is a series of simple exercises for a healthy posture. Within WCCS there are a number of Committees to support the work of the WCCS and promote unity and development of Chiropractic. One of the largest committees is the Chiropractic Humanitarian Assistance Programme (CHAP). During the current year CHAP has raised funds and awareness for Water Aid and World Spine Care. At each AGM the CHAP committee organises a community project for all of the delegates to get involved in. This year we promoted the ‘Straighten Up America’ exercises learned from Dr Kirk to the supporters coming into watch the Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball game. Members of the CHAP committee were also invited to go courtside for the players warm up. Dr. Jay Komerak, a family wellness chiropractor who also works with animals was our speaker for day 5. A practitioner for 35 years, Dr Komerak talked us through the work he does with horses to improve their behaviour and wellbeing. We spent the afternoon listening to the proposals and plans for the regional events planned for the coming year. That evening we all had the privilege of being invited to the Carrick Brain Institute. Dr. Carrick told us about how he had became disenchanted with drug and surgery treatments for serious ailments and brain injuries. He believed there to be a less invasive and drug-centric solution. Following years of research and development the Carrick Brain Institute provides a mix of functional neurology and chiropractic to support and rehabilitate people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Neurologists and Chiropractic doctor’s gave us a tour of the clinic and explained how the equipment is used in practice. People come from around the world for an intensive week of treatment. One example given of what is achieved at the Institute is a wheelchair bound patient being able to walk a few steps at the end of the intensive week of treatment. The Carrick Institute is world class, from its personnel to its equipment. one piece of equipment used is an ‘Off Vertical Axis Rotational Device’. – A piece of kit also used by NASA to prepare astronauts! The chair rotates in a precisely-controlled way, depending on the patients motion profile, in order to stimulate the vestibular system. After a long, exciting, and sometimes heated week of congress, things were coming to an end. On the last day a new board of directors were selected, the destination for 2017 AGM was confirmed and the batton for the next AGM was handed to IFEC (France) with that congress business was complete. There was just one more event to attend; the evening gala dinner. A fantastic French themed evening, a nod for the venue of next years AGM, spent eating, dancing and cementing what are bound to be lifelong friendships. I would have to say that my time in America and attending this AGM was breath taking, often lost for words and constantly in awe of where I was, what I was doing and my role in the advancement of chiropractic. I met amazing people from across the world, many of whom I call my friends and all of whom I call my family.
Every day I learnt something new, I was constantly inspired and impressed, my eyes were opened and yours can be to. If you would like to be a part of the delegation for Paris in 2016 get involved with WCCS now. Check out the website: http://mccwccs.weebly.com or email: [email protected] |