"JAMA Didn't and Wouldn't Recommend Chiropractic"
Dear Editor:
Let's be clear – JAMA didn't and wouldn't recommend "chiropractic" until several changes are made within our profession. [Read DC Publisher Don Petersen Jr's Report of Findings, "Why JAMA Recommended Chiropractic," in the October 2021 issue.] They only recommended "spinal manipulation" for limited diagnoses. Their recommendation gives a green light for PTs, PAs, NPs, MDs and DOs (for those who have been away from SMT for awhile) to take a few weekend seminars to learn how to perform SMT in the lower back. They have all been trained to identify red flags. Yes, some gatekeepers refer to chiropractors – but they know how they treat and they see their results.
Do you really think the gatekeepers are going to refer patients to any chiropractor; especially after they see fairly regular local stories about questionable thyroid, T2D and peripheral neuropathy treatments their elderly patients spent thousands on to be treated – with often-abysmal results? Or when their patient returns after 60 visits of SMT and a $6,000 bill – and not one stretch or exercise was given? Or will they prefer to refer to their colleagues, who they know will stay in their lane?
We might provide 90 percent of SMT, but I suspect less than 10 percent of those patients are referred by medical gatekeepers. And I suspect the JAMA recommendation will ultimately result in even less referrals – unless our profession gets its act together.
Michael P. Simone, DC
Fort Lupton, Colo.
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