By ANTHONY BOTTAN
That is why a group of chiropractors took their practices to Panama and the Dominican Republic - and, at no cost, adjusted the spines of more than 100,000 people in a week.
Two separate groups of chiropractors - Chiropractors Restoring Energy Worldwide (CREW) and ChiroMission - took off in early May to schools, hospitals and orphanages in Panama City, Panama and the Dominican Republic to help realign spinal cords and restore health to thousands.
Dr. Fern London, of Lynbrook, and Dr. Pennie Schwartz, of Malverne, traveled along with 32 other chiropractors in CREW to Panama City. This was London's first trip with CREW and said she had no idea how many people she would adjust in a day. In Panama City, the number of people she adjusted was 300 a day. "This seemed so crazy to me, especially when I was given a chair and told 'upper-cervicals only'," London said.
London explained that the first and second cervical vertebrae are the power switches in one's body. If they are not aligned correctly, she said, the messages that the brain sends down the spinal cord cannot flow properly. She added if the nerve flow is restored, it helps restore health. The crew of chiropractors worked non-stop from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and throughout the course of the week, adjusted 50,000 people. "It was incredible. It brought me back to my roots," London said. "No insurance, no nonsense. Just pure giving."
Schwartz, who was participating in her fourth mission with CREW, said CREW was allowed into Panama City because of the support of the city's government and the willingness of its mayor, Juan Carlos, to help his people. "There were billboards and signs up everywhere that we were coming," Schwartz said. "They were so anxious for it. Thanks to the openness of the government, we were able to go into jails, hospitals and schools to help people in need."
One of the cases that stood out in Schwartz's memory from last May, was a five-month-old baby who was born without muscle tone in her neck. Without muscle tone in the neck, she said, the baby could not lift its head on its own. After a few a adjustments with Schwartz, she said, the baby's neck was strengthened - and it was able to lift its head on its own.
David Hecht, a chiropractor from Floral Park who practices in Lynbrook, went with 110 chiropractors, in conjunction with ChiroMission, to the Dominican Republic. The group of doctors adjusted 50,000 people in three days. Hecht said it was documented as a new Guinness Book of World Record, however, the point was not to set a record, but to give back to those who needed help. "The more you give, the more you receive," Hecht said. After the adjustments, he said, many of the doctors were given gifts, and in most cases, a warm hug. "They just came for help," Hecht said.
Hecht said he hopes to travel with ChiroMission again next April. Fern said her inaugural trip with CREW taught her a valuable lesson. "Panama truly brought chiropractic back to me," she said. "I only adjust with my heart now."
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