Accolades for Dr. Cianciulli
Dear Editor:
I would like to congratulate "DC" for publishing the writings of Dr. Arnold Cianciulli in a new column. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dr. Cianciulli for the past 12 years. I am glad that the rest of the country will have the chance to read the writings of one of the most prolific and astute chiropractors in the world. We here in New Jersey have been very fortunate to have Dr. Cianciulli work on our behalf in this state, and more recently his work on the national level has benefitted the average practicing chiropractor more than he or she realizes. To the readers of "DC" I would ask that you look for Dr. Cianciulli's column and take strong heed in his words and suggestions, for having done so personally has been a tremendous asset to both my professional and personal life.
Mark V. Russo, DC, FICC
Newark, New Jersey
Bone to Pick with Osteopathic Terminology Dear Editor:
While I enjoyed the review offered by the recent article "A Description of the Common Compensatory Pattern in Relationship to the Osteopathic Postural Examination (November 19, 1993 issue of "DC"), I have a bone to pick about certain terminology. The examination was a review for the most part, and I did not go to osteopathic school. Therefore, did my instructors plagiarize another profession's techniques? I think not. Later in the article, the authors describe how this examination leads to "appropriate utilization of osteopathic manipulative therapy." So, I can't use "chiropractic" techniques to accomplish the corrections?
I don't know why (though I have my ideas), but osteopathic physicians almost always precede names of nonmedical techniques with "osteopathic," as if they had rights to the technique. Over the last few years, the chiropractic profession has thankfully used more generic terms, and I feel this reflects a more secure and professional demeanor. I think that it is time that osteopathic physicians as well adopt generic terms for manual therapies and describe what is actually being done, until someone describes the differences, if any, between chiropractic and osteopathic techniques.
Geoffrey Bove, DC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Not in a Time Warp ... Just Commited to the Truth Dear Editor:
I am responding to Michael Vesely's assertion that mixers have "the science and diagnostic skills of the present" and straights are "locked in a time warp and choose to ignore anything that wasn't stated by either B.J. or D.D."
In the last 15 years, there has been an incredible amount of research published supporting the importance of locating and correcting the vertebral subluxation complex. And according to the Scripps Research Clinic of La Jolla, there is no peer-reviewed published research to support the use of passive physical modalities.
Chung Ha Suh, PhD, in an interview with Renaissance magazine said, "The vertebral subluxation is very real. We have documented it again and again. With this scientific documentation no one can dispute the existence of vertebral subluxations."
Dr. Joseph Janse was quoted in the January 1983 ACA Journal of Chiropractic as saying, "Normal integrated neurological conduct equals homeostasis and health, and disturbed neurological conduct results in pathophysiology, disintegration of homeostasis, and eventually the intrusion of disease."
Last year, the San Diego County Chiropractic Society had Vert Mooney, MD, one of the chief orthopedic surgeons and researchers from the Scripps Clinic as a guest speaker. While projecting a slide of a witch stirring a cauldron of ultrasound, diathermy, sine wave, electro-therapy, etc., Dr. Mooney stated that there is no scientific evidence to support the used of passive physical therapy modalities either as a means of pain relief or of facilitating recovery from spinal pain. He recently repeated this statement with the same slide on our local medical cable channel.
As a practitioner who has publicly embraced the scientific method, I challenge Dr. Vesely to go to a university library and do a literature search. If he finds the studies that have eluded the Scripps Research Clinic, please educate us all.
If, however, he is unable to locate anything other than anecdotal evidence, then I call on Dr. Vesely to publicly admit that as a mixer, he uses "unscientific therapies."
I was a "mixer" for 12 years. Three years ago, after a literature review and a three month research project with my own patients, I came to the same conclusion as Dr. Mooney.
I became a straight chiropractor not because I was in a time warp or because of anything B.J. or D.D. wrote, but because of the current literature and my commitment to the truth. The vast majority of the straight chiropractors that I know made similar journeys.
R. Tyler Given, DC
Poway, California
"... they are seeking for and expect instant gratification without any personal effort being exerted."
Dear Editor:
Today, I had an opportunity to read an article in Dynamic Chiropractic entitled "PMA on Trial in California," and quite honestly the attitudes expressed disgusted me. I have been in chiropractic practice for 33 years and the increasing greed and malice that I have observed through the years is alarming. I feel that it is time to speak up in defense and support of what Dr. Pete Fernandez and the PMA organization stand for, and express my concern for the future of chiropractic.
It appears as though there is a growing trend in our profession for a need to place blame on someone else for failures and shortcomings, a growing need for someone else to take the responsiblity of success or lack thereof, without a willingness to "pay the piper" for his efforts. It appears as if they are seeking for and expect instant gratification without any personal effort being exerted.
I have personally been associated with many management firms through my years in practice. These include Clinic Masters, Markson, and Singer. However, until I became affiliated with PMA, made the decision to put the time and effort in to attend the seminars, and understand their philosophy, did I fully realize the quality of their service. It was there that I finally got the big idea and learned that I make or break my success. Dr. Fernandez provided excellent classes covering all the "basics" and went beyond an average practice. In addition, counseling was provided for his members so they could "upgrade" themselves personally as well as professionally, which enabled them to confidently provide good quality care to their patients. His time and efforts are geared toward helping to make better doctors within our profession. The classes were made available, but it was up to the individual doctors to attend them. If they had, they would have obtained the necessary information to emerge a true professional, confident in themselves, and their ability. We each have the ability to make or break our success.
To this day, I remember sitting at a Parker seminar and Dr. James Parker stating in one of his lectures that "money is the by-product of services rendered." I had choices to make through the years and could have settled for a mediocre practice, but with the help of PMA's guidance and my willingness to apply the principles, I have achieved my goals in chiropractic.
The chiropractic profession should thank Dr. Pete Fernandez and PMA, for raising the consciousness of chiropractors and upgrading our great profession. We should extend appreciation for their effort for recommending complete orthopedic exams and performing x-ray evaluations to determine the cause of a problem and eliminating a reliance on guess work.
In my opinion, PMA represented one of the best chiropractic management firms for established chiropractors as well as young practitioners, who are willing to learn from others who have become successful. Those who made the mistakes, tried everything else, and have emerged the victor.
Santo S. Farina, DC
Reading, Pennsylvania
