ABC's "Good Morning America" aired a segment February 27 that included chiropractic as part of a week-long series on alternative medicine. Not only is the assessment a good one, the information is solid and the chiropractor featured on the program is an excellent representative for the profession.
In the segment "Good Morning America" interviews Dr. Jacalyn Buettner, a San Francisco DC who is a fortitious choice from the chiropractic profession's standpoint. There are no scams or scandals here. During her interview, she intelligently explains what chiropractors do by saying that they "correct structural deviation in the spine... so that the body can heal itself." In her other comments, Dr. Buettner highlights the growing amount of chiropractic research by referring to the "current research coming out validating the appropriateness of spinal manipulation." Those within chiropractic will know that she is talking about the RAND study, subtititled "The Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain." It is unfortunate, however, that she did not mention the study by name.
There is also footage of Dr. Buettner adjusting patients in her office. One very satisfied patient, Tish Mostow, who had sustained a neck injury in a car accident, gives an obviously heartfelt testimonial on the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Her orthopedic surgeon told her that there was nothing that could be done about her persistent neck pain and that she should "live with it." Of Dr. Buettner she says, "I can't speak highly enough of her" and remarks that Dr. Buettner helped alleviate most of her pain in about four weeks.
Dr. Nancy Synderman, the MD reporting on alternative medicine, gives a fairly balanced assessment of chiropractic. She reports that chiropractic is "so accepted now that most insurance companies cover treatment." She also comments that more orthopedists are referring to DCs. In addition, the program reports that currently 1 in 20 Americans go the chiropractors to treat back pain.
The only negative spot in the segment is when the MD interviewed for the segment, Dr. George Lundberg, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), classifies the chiropractic theory as "pure hokum." But later Dr. Lundberg admits that it is important to treat the whole person, and to keep "the mind, body and soul" healthy.
Overall, the "Good Morning America" report provides a positive image of the chiropractic profession. One of the most encouraging signs is at the beginning of the program when Dr. Synderman says, "Human touch imparts intimacy and caring." DCs rely on that human touch and are proud of the results it inspires in their patients. The important thing is that more people are discovering what DCs do and the benefits of chiropractic treatment. Soon the media will no longer be able to classify chiropractic as "alternative medicine."
Barbara Migliaccio,
Second Assistant Editor
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