Beyond Back Pain
Dr. Selam Aklilu’s Holistic Approach to Wellness
Dr. Selam Aklilu is a renowned chiropractor and esteemed advocate for wellness. With a Bachelor of Science in Chiropractic and Medicine, and a Doctor of Medicine degree, she has dedicated over two decades to chiropractic care in the United States and Ethiopia. As the CEO of 1st Spine Clinic and the Founder of Wellness and Medical Services PLC, Dr Selam is deeply passionate about holistic healthcare.
In addition to her clinical work, she provides training and consultations on wellness-related matters and has founded the monthly Tena Yestelen magazine. This magazine, which translates to ‘Our Health’ in Amharic, is a platform for sharing health tips, success stories, and the latest developments in the field of holistic healthcare. EBR’s Dr. Brook Genene sat down with her to learn about her work
As Dr. Selam Aklilu sits in her office, she recalls her unwavering dedication to a career in health. “From a young age, I had a nurturing spirit. I always took care of my dolls and tended to anyone who was injured, even pets,” she shares with EBR, a testament to her lifelong commitment to healing. Her dedication is a source of inspiration for those around her.
She started school at Notre Dame and attended an American mission school after coming to Addis Ababa. She left the country at the start of the Red Terror, a period of political repression and violence in Ethiopia. After arriving in the U.S., she first studied chemistry and worked as a lab technician. Since she had the desire to go into medicine, she decided to join chiropractic school. “I studied in California. I worked there for 12 years. I also studied medicine and became an M.D. I did this because I wanted to teach. The medico-economic politics of the chiropractic profession was difficult,” she states.
Dr. Selam has always found it challenging to explain what a chiropractor does to people in Ethiopia. “There is no proper Amharic word. It’s a neuro-musculoskeletal speciality. Some people say we are physiotherapists. We are that too, but we are also much more than that,” she explains. She further adds that she also acts as an internist in her profession, dealing with diseases inside the body.
Among African countries, chiropractic training is only given in South Africa. Dr. Selam states that there are only three professionals in Ethiopia and that she hopes the training will soon start here as well.
Returning to Ethiopia was a pivotal decision for Dr. Selam, one she felt compelled to make. “I had to first introduce the profession to Ethiopians. Even the people at the Ministry of Health were unaware of the profession, so I had to bring documents and show them what type of training I had undergone. That alone took about seven months,” she shares with EBR, underscoring the importance of her pioneering work in the country. Her efforts are greatly appreciated by those who benefit from her work.
She explains how important her task is by stating how back pain hurts the economy. According to research, back pain is the disease with the greatest economic burden in Africa, costing the continent billions of dollars in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. It is a problem many people face, and she believes it can easily be prevented and treated. Her words highlight the urgent need to address this issue.
“The first important task that is needed is awareness. It is important to pay attention to how we stand and sit. We have also started an initiative called ‘10 le tena.’ It’s a program that encourages people doing any work to first do an exercise for 10 minutes before they start their task. This exercise, which can be as simple as stretching or deep breathing, is designed to create heart-brain coherence, a state that facilitates the health of blood vessels and the nervous system. Taking a deep breath and working facilitate the health of blood vessels and the nervous system. Her company works with different organizations to promote wellness.”
According to Dr. Selam’s observation, 80% of the reported complaints across clinics are musculoskeletal issues. “Sadly, most are being treated using painkillers. This exposes people to several side effects of the medication and doesn’t address the issue,” she states. She explains that using painkillers repeatedly will have disadvantages. So, addressing the problem by training health professionals to provide rehabilitation care is essential. “We can train nurses, and it will be good to have physiotherapists in health facilities as well,” she adds.
In addition to treating back pain, Dr. Selam actively works on promoting corporate wellness. According to WHO, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. “I looked at a study that says only 2% of the world population fulfills this definition. 20% of the people are ill. 78% of people are working, but they are unwell. The United States loses 12% of its GDP because of the presence of unwell people. When I look at this, I wonder what the condition and the cost are for a country like ours. So the important thing is asking what we can do,” she tells EBR.
Dr. Selam emphasizes the profound importance of heart-brain coherence. “When individuals achieve this, they experience social coherence, which is crucial for maintaining their health. The first step is cultivating gratitude, which not only enhances health and creativity but also fosters cooperation. This may sound like a religious teaching, but it’s rooted in science. There are four key emotions we need to focus on to achieve brain-heart coherence: gratitude, appreciation, compassion, and love,” she explains, highlighting the transformative power of these emotions for a healthy and meaningful lifestyle.
Dr. Selam has a firm stance regarding misconceptions people have about her practice. “People associate chiropractors with cracking the back or neck. The cracking sound is just gas being released from joint areas. Adjustment and alignment don’t have anything to do with cracking joints. It is hazardous to do these activities by people who are not educated professionals,” she states.
In explaining how people can maintain a work-life balance, Dr. Selam talks about how she asks people where they live, and their answer happens to be, “I live in Bole, CMC, or 4 Kilio.” But her response is to tell them they live inside their body. “We often don’t think about it. There will not be anything without a healthy body. How can I be so attentive at work? Improving presence at work is vital for productivity. When we take 10 minutes to focus, we improve a lot,” she says.
In addition to work, Dr. Selam also stresses the importance of being a parent. “When I present myself in front of an important person, I am always cautious. I show respect. That is the same approach we should take with children,” she says passionately. As a mother of four, she knows the importance of giving proper care to children.
“We should respect them and listen to what they have to say. Because my kids trust me, they used to tell me everything when they were teenagers. When my children were young, I used to kneel down and talk to them at their eye level. People used to say it was wrong. But it helped me communicate with them better. We need more professionals working on child development,” she tells EBR.
Dr. Selam’s message for the New Year is to be present in the moment. “Let us take deep breaths. Let’s be grateful and appreciate what we have. Just take three minutes to have a breathing exercise. Being mindful will make us successful. I have seen a study that said we lose 48% of our potential because we are not mindful. This is not only true as a professional but also as a parent.” EBR
12th Year • September 2024 • No. 133
