William C. Elkington

As a professor at Northwestern, I have a strong interest in discovering and communicating new information about non-drug, non-surgical healthcare alternatives for common health problems. The effect of direct-to-consumer advertising and pharmaceutical lobbying has been to create a culture which relies too heavily on drugs – with all of their side effects – and not enough on methods that facilitate the body’s own innate healing energy.

I have a particular interest in the use of natural treatments for asthma and allergic disorders. Some of these treatments have been used for hundreds or even thousands of years. Patients with asthma and allergies often report improvement when they are treated with these techniques. However, very little high quality research has been done on these conditions, and there has been an over-reliance on randomized controlled trials as the primary tool for seeking evidence of effectiveness. I am interested in helping to promote the investigation of natural healing techniques through a variety of research methodologies here at the University, and in helping field practitioners document and communicate their own clinical experiences using a standardized case study format.

Publications

Williams J, Elkington WC. Slow progressing cardiac complications – a case report. J Chiropr Med. March 2008;7(1), 28-33.

Elkington, WC. An overview of lung cancer for the chiropractor. Topics in Clinical Chiropractic. 1999;6(1).

Sawyer CE, Haas M, Nelson C, Elkington WC. Clinical research within the chiropractic profession: status, needs and recommendations. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1997;2(3).

Sawyer CE, Elkington WC. Osteoporosis: does exercise influence bone mineral content. Chiropractic and Sports Medicine. 1987;1(2):53-59.