Editor's Comments on the So et al article.

Dr. Matthew McCoy
Editor - Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research

Many readers will wonder if perhaps we have lost our minds by publishing a paper on mechanical massage.¹ After all, what does that have to do with vertebral subluxation?

Actually, it is the issue of quality of life as discussed in the paper that has everything to do with vertebral subluxation and is the reason why we felt the article was germane to the mission of the journal. The issue of health and quality of life is not new to us at JVSR. In fact, you will notice that one of the authors of this paper is Dr. Robert Blanks. Readers will recall that Dr. Blanks is the principal investigator of the largest single study ever conducted in the history of the chiropractic profession which was also published in JVSR.²

That study also looked at health related quality of life issues - but in relation to vertebral subluxation correction. The importance of the current study for me lies in the harsh reality that we as a profession, and we as subluxation centered chiropractors, had better get our collective acts together. Not sure what I mean? I'll just come right out with it: What if we're no better than a mechanical massage device in improving health related quality of life in our patients?

I've even fielded responses from chiropractors who say that this is exactly our problem - our claim to wellness, improved health etc. That chiropractic is nothing more than the removal of subluxation for its own sake, to unite man the physical with God the spiritual etc. If that's the case don't we still have an obligation to measure the outcome? After all, if that's your slant, isn't it possible that a mechanical massage device could correct a subluxation and put a person more in touch with the spirit? Who does this better and what technique is more efficient - is the question any rational person should ask.

The point is that we have a long road ahead of us in terms of researching the effects of subluxation reduction and correction in the patients we serve and we need to start taking it very seriously. I look forward to a lively discussion on the topic of this paper and its implications.

References
1. So CS, Giolli RA, Jauregui M, Schuster TL, Yang H, Blanks RH. Thermomechanical Massage Devices used in China and South Korea: A Preliminary Report of  Health Outcomes and Side Effects. J. Vertebral Subluxation Res., September 28, 2003

2. Blanks RH, Schuster TL, Dobson M, A Retrospective Assessment of Network Care Using a Survey of Self-Rated Health, Wellness and Quality of Life. J. Vertebral Subluxation Res. Vol 1, No. 3. p 1