Bridge for Sale in Brooklyn
Dear Editor:
Why is George McAndrews, plaintiff's chief counsel in the Wilk et al. case, so upset about posting silent killer subluxation and "chiropractic care affects the immune system" advertisements on hospital bulletin boards (Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, 1992, pp. 1,17)? After all these years working with the chiropractic profession, doesn't he get the big idea yet? Chiropractic works. Indeed, the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research has recently announced that:
"Chiropractic Works! Research proves it: Chiropractic Works! Now thanks to mounting research-based evidence, chiropractic is proud to claim, scientifically, what doctors and patients have known all along: Chiropractic Works!" (FCER, 1991).
The fact that chiropractic works can no longer be doubted; the evidence is overwhelming. Consider the findings of the American Chiropractic Association in its anti-steroid pamphlet:
"Chiropractic is a drugless, non-surgical method of procedure which has been proven effective for improving (athletic) performance ..." (American chiropractic Association, 1990).
Can there be any remaining doubt? Since we know it works and has been proven to increase athletic performance by the ACA, it should come as no surprise that chiropractic works for many other problems. Dynamic Chiropractic has been making some of these marvelous benefits, based on irrefutable proven scientific facts, more widely known throughout the chiropractic community. Many of these wonderful results were published in the same issue as Mr. McAndrew's letter, such as:
"... In his nine years of clinical experience, Dr. Twogood has discovered that most cases of back pain and headaches are caused by foods in the diet" (Twogood, 1992).
and
"This dynamic seminar will explore the origins of the visceral aspect of chiropractic and will tie the philosophical tents of this great profession to the modern, scientific approach to chiropractic practice as it relates to visceral disease management. ... Manipulation and the immune system ... chiropractic philosophy and visceral diseases" (Texas Chiropractic College, 1992).
and
"... Increase your competence ... in treating a wide variety of conditions. Polarity Reflex Analysis is a safe, simple system of muscle testing. ... By mastering just 15 basic reflexes, you will be able to identify and recommend to correct most common nutritional deficiencies. Immediately, you will be able to determine the exact dosage and proper time period for the correct nutritional supplementation" (Nutri-West, 1992).
and
"Homeopathy doesn't claim to cure, rather to enhance the body's natural defense mechanism. ... Homeopathy is safe. Homeopathy is effective. Homeopathic is inexpensive" (Tyler, 1992).
and
"What do all these have in common? Muscle spasm, hypertension, emotional stress; they all respond to chiropractic adjustment. NET is simple, efficient, effective. And the best part is, the treatment is a specific chiropractic adjustment. ... NET tells you if there is or isn't an emotional aspect to your patient's problem -- Free Bonus: When you inquire, we'll send the NET story, plus testimonials from other doctors" (Neuroemotional Technique, 1992).
and, my personal favorite:
"Now you can make extra income from my proven psoriasis treatment! "Psoriasis Can Be Cured." "This is a fact..." (Connolly, 1992).
Mr. McAndrews doesn't seem to realize that responsible organizations like the ACA, the FCER, and Dynamic Chiropractic would not be publishing these claims if they were not well-documented, proven facts. All of these proven, scientific treatments are undeniably valid and effective, since the RAND Corporation and the British Medical Journal are proving more and more everyday what we always knew was true: It Works! Moreover, since deductions from true principles must also be true, it follows that if subluxations are not reduced by proper chiropractic adjustment, the unsuspecting patient will be forced to live with a veritable time bomb ticking away inside.
The real problem, Mr. McAndrews, is not that we have killer subluxation advertisements on hospital bulletin boards, but that we don't have more of them in movie houses, post offices, shopping centers, popular magazines, television, and hamburger stands. Chiropractic works; there's no doubt about that; it's scientifically proven now. So, we need to get the word out. The more subluxations that are removed by adjustments, the more benefit for a society which is dying of these silent killer lesions. It just makes sense!
References
American Chiropractic Association, patient brochure #ST-4, 1990.
Connolly RE: Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, 1992, p. 35.
FCER. Chiropractic Works/Foundation for Chiropractic Education & Research, 1991, pamphlet #9116.
Neuroemotional Technique. Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, 1992, p. 32.
Nutri-West. Polarity reflex analysis. Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, l992, p. C-2.
Texas Chiropractic College. Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, 1992, p.6.
Twogood DA: No milk. Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, 1992, p. 10.
Tyler RH: Some of the basics. Dynamic Chiropractic, March 27, 1992, p. C-2, 3, 4.
Joseph C. Keating Jr., Ph.D.
Professor
Palmer College of Chiropractic/West
Sunnyvale, California
P.S. I also have a bridge in Brooklyn you might be interested in buying.
Editor's Note: Peter Martin, president of Palmer College of Chiropractic West requested that Dr. Keating, as a member of the PCCW faculty, submit this disclaimer: "The opinions of the trustees and administration are not necessarily those of the faculty; the opinions of the faculty do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or trustees of Palmer College of Chiropractic/West.
Dear Editor:
I feel I must reply to the May 9, 1992 letter by Dr. Jeffrey Brown. While I am used to attacks on my philosophical stance, Dr. Brown accused me of quoting Dr. Bernie Siegel out of context. This I did not do. The quote is a complete sentence and reflects exactly upon what the paragraph spoke to; I will now quote the complete paragraph:
"The light is better in our conscious minds, but we must look for healing in the dark unconscious. The doctor works in the light. He is verbal and logical. The patient's world may be dark, but there are sources of illumination. Within each of us is a spark. Call it a divine spark if you will, but it is there and can light the way to health. There are no incurable diseases, only incurable people." (Love Medicine & Miracles, pages 98,99).
No, I did not quote Dr. Siegel out of context; the complete paragraph has even more philosophical depth. Notice how Dr. Siegel's "devine spark" is much akin to our term innate.
Dr. Brown speaks of "great fundamental biologic truth." He has missed the greatest biological truth of all, "The bigness of the fellow within." Attack my philosophy, sir, but not my writing aplomb and integrity. And, by the way, B.J. Palmer did not have a "receding chin" as you stated. Perhaps "intellectual naivete" is more your problem than mine.
Fred H. Barge, D.C., Ph.C.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
The last thing the American public needs is government-run national health insurance. Chiropractors should especially be against such a system which will probably adopt the "Medicare model" for chiropractic reimbursement.
The government should get out of the health care business and leave it to the private sector. Let's jump off the national health insurance bandwagon, as it will certainly be a health care boondoggle for the American public taxpayers.
Lets say no to national health insurance and avoid paying the taxes for a system which will be doomed for failure.
Frank P. Lanzisera, D.C.
Brandenton, Florida
When I graduated from chiropractic college in 1981 and started practice, I heard it all, and very little was positive. “You are a quack; you do not know what a subluxation is; you couldn’t get into a real health care program, so you chose the one that is slightly above a mail-order degree; you have no proof that chiropractic works; Are you really licensed?”, and so much more.
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The results of a global survey released late last year (2023) unveiled some startling findings among medical and nursing students. The “Clinician of the Future: 2023 Education Edition” surveyed 2,212 students, of which 446 were in the United States, from 91 countries.
