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During a brief ceremony this week at Government House, Governor deJongh signed a proclamation designating October, 2012 as “Chiropractic Health Month” in the Virgin Islands. The proclamation calls attention to medical professionals who help their patients achieve optimal physical function and avoid pain and injury.
Several local chiropractors were present for the signing ceremony, including: Dr. Robert DeBonis, Dr. Matthew Krefetz, Dr. Brad Kappel, Dr. Kevin Lenahan and Dr. Elizabeth Masiello.
Doctors of Chiropractic are health care providers who focus on the whole person and have particular expertise in the prevention and care of musculoskeletal injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries, in general, are one of the biggest health and safety problems in America today, with back pain alone contributing to more than $50 billion in health care costs per year.
For this year’s observation of Chiropractic Health Month, the American Chiropractic Association has set the theme as “Find Your Game,” which means achieving optimal function at any level of fitness for everyone — young and old — from athletes to office workers.
“Celebrating Chiropractic Health Month each October serves as a reminder to all Virgin Islanders that they, too, can ‘Find Their Game’ and perform at their best with the expert care and services provided by the territory’s chiropractors,” de Jongh said.
Within the territory there are 18 practicing Doctors of Chiropractic with an average of four care providers being added each year. These providers are trained to work with musculoskeletal injuries in order to address the problem at the source and help patients avoid the need for drugs and surgery. Doctors of Chiropractic instruct patients on proper conditioning and warm-up and cool-down procedures, as well as appropriate safety equipment, which can substantially reduce injuries.
With approximately 100,000 visits to chiropractors annually, patients benefit from the same chiropractic services as elite athletes and are also able to optimize function in their work and personal lives.
In recognition of Chiropractic Health Month, Governor de Jongh encourages Virgin Islanders to “Find Their Game” so they perform at their very best in their professional and personal lives.
