Episode 60 – Scott Haldeman, Part 1: Seeking a Solution to the Greatest Cause of Physical Disability

Scott Haldeman DC, MD, PhD, FRCP(C), FCCS(C), FAAN

Dr. Scott Haldeman holds various designations of professor at the University of California – Irvine, UCLA, Southern California University and Shanghai U of TCM.  He’s held offices in the North American Spine Society, American Back Society, the North American Academy of Manipulative Medicine and Orange County Neurological Society and has also served on the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. He’s been on the editorial board of 8 professional and scientific journals, published over 200 articles and book chapters, and been involved in writing or contributing to a number of textbooks. He presided over The Bone and Joint Decade 2000 to 2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders, an initiative for the World Health Organization. Dr. Haldeman, among other credentials is a board certified neurologist, a chiropractor, and a diplomat of the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.  He’s received highest honors and awards within spine societies, as distinguished lecturer and as honorary doctor. 

 

Show Notes

Personal Background

Dr. Haldeman is a practicing neurologist in Santa Ana California, USA. He loves to travel and enjoys hiking with his wife (a physical therapist) and exercising.

Professional Background

Dr. Haldeman has faculty positions at University of Califonia – Irvine, University California Los Angeles, Shang Hi ,TCM and at Southern California Health Sciences.  He’s currently the president of World Spine Care, an international charity.  He’s also held roles with National Institute for Complimentary and Integrative Health, the North American Spine Society (NASS), American Back Society (ABS), and the North American Academy of Manipulative Medicine. 

Dr. Haldeman’s grew up in Canada.  His father was a chiropractor and exposed Scott to ideas of healthy living at an early age.  His wife studied PT and he went to chiropractic college.  He obtained a bachelors while practicing as a chiropractor and continued further to achieve a masters.  He obtained a PhD in  neurophysiology and after pursued further education in medical school.  After that he specialized in neurology. 

He was involved in “The Challenge of the Spine” which was a spine symposium.  He was on the original board of NASS.  Through the involvement with these organizations and committees he observed how spine care lacked established treatment guidelines. He was involved in the production of the Bone and Joint Task Force of Neck Pain and Associated Disorders, a three million dollar and eight year project  published in three peer-reviewed journals. 

Meaningful and Relevant Quote

An Important Message to Dr. Haldeman is from the Global Burden of Disease 2010, a World Health Organization foundation.  It stated that “low back pain is the leading cause of disability, worldwide. Contributing to 10% of the total disability in the world” and neck pain is the 4th leading cause.  And back and neck pain together have a greater impact on disability than other diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, lower respiratory infections, stroke, breast and lung cancer combined, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression or traffic injuries.”

The World Spine Care

Formed in 2009 as an official charity.  It has the goal of developing a model of care that is evidence-based and that can be introduced into communities around the world irrespective of their financial and educational resources. 

Dr. Haldeman believes that challenges to making a significant impact on this global problem of spine disability includes the need to establish long term and committed clinicians who reside on-location in a community and these efforts must gain approval, permission and collaboration with the national and local government.

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