Over the years, I had scores of people literally crawl into my office in pain. Scheduled for back surgery, these people were looking for more conservative, alternative treatment. Within a few weeks, using enzyme supplements andchiropractic care, these patients (much to the amazement of their orthopedists) were walking in an upright position, pain-free, and no longer in need of surgery. These individuals became loyal chiropractic patients and lifelong users of enzyme supplements.
Over the years, I personally saw the benefit of enzyme supplements, but knew a scientific study was necessary. Therefore, working with the director of sports medicine at Portland State University (PSU) and an orthopedic surgeon atAdventist Hospital (Portland, Oregon), we conducted a double-blind study on the PSU football team during the brutal spring football season. After practice, half of the players were given ten proteolytic enzyme tablets per day, and the remaining half was given ten placebo tablets of exactlythe same size, shape, color, and coating. They took the tablets in the presence of the football trainer as they picked up their towels for showering.
The purpose of the study was to determine if proteolytic enzyme tablets, taken on a maintenance basis, would decrease the incidence of injuries and further, if they would have any effect on recovery time when injuries did occur. Wefound that those in the enzyme group suffered fewer injuries (50 percent) and, when injured, recovered twice as fast as those not taking enzyme supplements.1
ENZYMES
Enzymes are proteins (long chains of amino acids), essential for every cell in every living body (animal or plant). As catalysts, enzymes either begin a reaction or cause a reaction to proceed at a faster rate.
1Proteolytic enzymes are those that break up proteins in the body, such as fibrin.
Proteolytic enzymes are especially helpful at reducing swelling, pain, and inflammation. Back pain almost always involves inflammation of some type. How much more successful and permanent would your adjustment be if the swelling, pain,and inflammation were simultaneously decreased? Remember, pain is the greatest factor driving a person into a chiropractic office. And a reduction in, or elimination of, pain is the greatest sign of success and ensures the patient's long-term commitment to chiropractic!
Some of the most-widely used proteolytic enzyme supplements include the following:
Plant Enzymes
Bromelain is an enzyme derived from unripe pineapple stems. Bromelain is widely used as an aid to digestion, and is especially beneficial in treating back pain, strains, sprains, sore muscles, bruises, and hematomas. Bromelain inhibits prostaglandins (agents in the body that promoteinflammation). It also encourages fibrin break-up (a process known as fibrinolysis), thereby decreasing inflammation and swelling. Bromelain can often reduce and even eliminate the symptoms of inflammation within just a few days.
Microbial Enzymes
Serratiopeptidase is a proteolytic enzyme that stimulates immunity, reduces edema, and fights inflammation. A study by Esch, Gerngross, and Fabian found that patients suffering from postoperative ankle joint swelling had a 50 percent reduction in swelling (by the third postoperative day)and corresponding pain reduction, when receiving enzyme supplements.2 Those not receiving serratiopeptidase had no reduction in swelling. Serratiopeptidase may also relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.3 This enzyme is derived from amicrobial fermentation.
Animal Enzymes
Pancreatin is actually an enzyme mixture usually derived from beef or hog pancreas. Pancreatin contains proteases (including chymotrypsin and trypsin), lipases and amylases. In addition to its traditional use as a digestive aid, pancreatin is also effective at fighting back pain andinflammation.
Papain is another well-known digestive enzyme, derived from the latex of the unripened papaya (Carica papaya). However, papain is also effective at reducing inflammation and swelling. It can accelerate wound healing and shorten recovery time. Papain is used to treat many conditionsbecause it can break down antigen-antibody complexes (in immune reactions) and help prevent scar formation.
Other animal-source proteolytic enzymes include chymotrypsin and trypsin.
Other Beneficial Enzymes
Other helpful enzymes include lipases (enzymes that break up fats and lipids) and amylases (those that break up carbohydrates). These enzymes are derived from plant, animal, and microbial sources and are especially effective at improving digestion.
CONCLUSION
Knowing the advantages of enzyme therapy and the benefits of chiropractic, I know how much more successful a chiropractor can be if he or she uses enzyme supplements to augment chiropractic care. If you are "the doctor who took my pain away," to whom will people refer theirfriends and relatives when they are in pain? It's a no-brainer. You become the guru and people flock to your office.
For further information on enzymes and enzyme dosage, please read The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy, The Back Pain Bible, Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy, and Enzymes: The Sparks of Life.
How to Begin Treating Your Patients With Enzymes
First, educate yourself and your staff on enzymes, by reading my many books on the subject. Use my audio tapes for self-education. This will increase your understanding of, and confidence in, enzymes.
Secondly, educate your patients in their understanding of enzymes. This will encourage more people to take enzymes, increasing their rate of healing, and skyrocketing their referrals. Schedule evening classes for patient education (use my enzyme books as guides). Use my smaller enzymebooks, such as Enzymes: Nature's Energizers and Enzymes: The Sparks of Life as give-aways (with your name, address, and phone number printed on the inside cover). Give copies of the enzyme books to high school, college, and professional team trainers. Remember each book is based onhundreds of research studies. |
About the Author
Anthony J. Cichoke, D.C., Ph.D., D.A.C.B.N. is the author of more than 300 articles and 15 books, including: The Back Pain Bible, The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy, Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy; Enzymes: The Sparks of Life, Enzymes: Nature's Energizers; and Secrets of NativeAmerican Herbal Remedies. (See EnzymeBooks)
REFERENCES
