The Chiropractic Sports Physician

Report of My Findings

Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc)
Editor/Publisher of Dynamic Chiropractic

Maybe It's Just Me

When you grow up in a chiropractic family, there are certain truths that you immediately accept without question:

Drugs are always toxic and should always be avoided.
Adjustments improve overall health, no matter what the problem.
Surgery is almost never warranted.
Vitamins are an effective adjunct to adjustments.
DCs shouldn't try to be MDs (or DOs) and MDs (and DOs) will never be able to adjust as effectively as DCs.

These and other bits of wisdom have been handed down within my family for generations, from my grandfather, to my father, to me, and now to my children. So I am completely baffled by those who wish to teach plumbers, automechanics, physiotherapists, and medical doctors how to adjust. It is particularly frustrating when the individual involved is a well-known chiropractic lecturer. I just can't figure it out!

Why would you want to teach chiropractic adjusting to an MD? This is a member of a profession who:

denounced chiropractic for almost 100 years (and many still do);
whose only real weapons against ill health are a prescription pad, a referral call, and ultimately surgery;
even if they knew the mechanics of the adjustment, would still lack the philosophical foundation necessary to apply it.

So Why Do It?

Maybe it's just me. After all, these are the '90s. Perhaps the wisdom that has been handed down over the last 100 years is in need of reconsideration?

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what I think, it matters what you think. Your opinion combined with all other chiropractors around the world has the power of professional opinion.

This is an issue that requires your input. Your voice needs to be heard, not only by others in the profession, but by those DCs who would take the art of the adjustment and give it away to those with a different (or non-existent) philosophy with little or no relevant science.

Please don't let this chance go by. Take just a few moments to answer the following two questions. We would like to print your response for all to read:

Should we teach MDs to adjust (manipulate)?
If no, what can the chiropractic profession do to influence those who are teaching MDs to adjust?

This doesn't need to be an essay. Just put down your thoughts on these two questions and mail them to:

The Adjustment
P.O. Box 6100
Huntington Beach, CA 92615-6100

or fax them to:

(714) 536-1482

We will publish the responses in our September issues.

DMP Jr.

August 1996