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JVSR Research Update - April 2, 2001 Subluxation Theory a Threat to Public Health? Dr. Matthew McCoy - Editor editor@jvsr.com Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research http://www.jvsr.com Last week I updated you on Dr. Samuel Homola's recent anti-subluxation literary ventures in Skeptic Magazine. This week I'm providing some choice quotes from Homola's most recent article published in The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine and Aberrant Medical Practices. Volume 5, Number 1. Winter 2001. (Yes, there really is such a journal.) Homola's article is titled: Is the Chiropractic Subluxation Theory a Threat to Public Health? Unfortunately you cannot view the article on-line, but I encourage you to contact your chiropractic college library and request a copy. You can, however, review the members of the Editorial Board and some other interesting information about the Journal. Homola's article is actually very silly, demonstrates obvious ignorance of modern day subluxation theory, neurophysiology and anatomy. But considering the make-up of the Editorial Review Board, it's publication concerns me. It also concerns me when I consider that right now there are several defining battles going on in various states and countries relative to the practice of subluxation-based chiropractic. Several subluxation-based chiropractors in Colorado are the victims of a witchhunt, another in Wisconsin, another group in Canada is facing action against them for taking x-rays to detect subluxations, chiropractors in Italy have had their offices raided by the authorities and several chiropractors sit in jail throughout the world. And you thought your problems with HMO's was a big deal. You can imagine my outrage when one JVSR subscriber wrote to me last week and said that I shouldn't let Homola bother me. Articles like Homola's, published in peer reviewed journals, add nails in the coffin for those who dedicate their lives to destroying subluxation-based chiropractic. Homola spares no sacred cow either. He attacks the ICA, WCA, ACA, Sportelli and Williams. Upper Cervical, AK and SOT techniques are shown no mercy. Children, maintenance care and practice building also get a bashing. Here's a few of Homola's quotes from the article: "Explaining the scientifically rejected chiropractic subluxation theory and describing some of the questionable treatment methods based on this theory, a veteran chiropractic reformer concludes that if the chiropractic profession fails to abandon the false premise upon which it is based, it will remain controversial and some aspects of chiropractic treatment will continue to be a threat to public health." "Time and science have proven chiropractic wrong." "...The name of the game is indoctrination in the belief that spinal adjustments are superior to medical treatment for many forms of disease." "There is reason enough to reject chiropractic health care that is based on the vertebral subluxation theory." "Since much of what chiropractors do today is still based on the subluxation theory, it is essential to understand what is meant by the term and how chiropractors have managed to sell their theory to the public." "Although some chiropractors no longer support the vertebral subluxation theory, the theory is still being taught in chiropractic colleges and still forms the basis for the average chiropractor's practice. There is no scientific evidence to indicate that vertebral misalignment or any dysfunction in structures of the spinal column is a cause of disease." "The mysterious and elusive chiropractic subluxation is obviously not the same as a medically recognized orthopedic subluxation, a partial dislocation, which causes pain and loss of mobility but does not cause disease or ill health. The truth is that slight misalignment of a vertebra has no effect on spinal nerves." "There is plenty of room for the passage of spinal nerves and blood vessels through the fat padded foraminal openings between the vertebrae. It cannot be imagined that slight displacement of a normal vertebra will place pressure on a spinal nerve." "It becomes apparent that slight misalignment of a single vertebra is not likely to be a significant factor in the cause of disease. That the chiropractic version of vertebral subluxations may not exist at all is reflected in the fact that interexaminer reliability is low when chiropractors attempt to locate subluxations." "Is the chiropractic subluxation theory a threat to public health? It would certainly seem so. Unless the chiropractic profession abandons the subluxation theory and evolves into a properly limited medical specialty in the use of manual therapy and other physical treatment methods in the care of musculoskeletal problems, inappropriate use of spinal manipulation will continue." "As a vaguely defined treatment approach with a broad scope of practice, chiropractic remains controversial and may pose a threat for persons who cannot distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate use of spinal manipulation." "But few chiropractors limit their practice to the care of mechanical-type problems; most offer spinal manipulation as a method of restoring and maintaining health. Chiropractors use of a variety of unproven treatment methods and adjustive techniques make chiropractic treatment even more problematic." "Risk may outweigh benefit when 88.9% of all cervical manipulations cannot be labeled as appropriate." "All patients reporting stroke symptoms should be asked if they have undergone recent cervical manipulation." "It has been reported that 51.2% of chiropractors include use of a handheld, spring-loaded Activator mallet to tap 'misaligned' vertebrae back into place, an apparently ineffective treatment method that may have nothing to offer but a placebo effect." "In many cases, the only thing the various adjustive techniques have in common is that they are all unproven and are all claimed to be most effective for removing 'nerve interference.'" "Chiropractors are holding on to the subluxation theory in order to maintain their status as 'alternative' primary care physicians in a 'separate and distinct' profession.'" "The greatest threat may be to infants and children whose parents are lured by claims that spinal adjustments at an early age can prevent the development of disease and that vaccination may not be necessary." "It is the consensus of medical and scientific opinion that chiropractors should not be allowed to treat infants and children." "Denouncing valid criticism in order to maintain popular support among portions of the public who find the subluxation theory appealing, the chiropractic profession maintains the status quo. It continues to draw fire from scientists and consumer advocates who are morally and ethically obligated to speak out about the dangers of the chiropractic theory." "In my opinion, use of spinal adjustments as a method of prevention is unnecessary treatment that subjects patients to unnecessary risk." "In the case of children, such treatment should be considered fraudulent or illegal." "As long as the chiropractic profession continues to base chiropractic treatment on the unproven vertebral subluxation theory, there will continue to be opposition from medical scientists as well as criticism by consumer advocates." "Unless the chiropractic profession proves the subluxation theory or abandons the idea that adjusting the spine will restore and maintain health, it will remain controversial and some aspects of it will remain a threat to public health. And without the support of medical scientists and public health officials, chiropractors will continue to seek public acceptance rather than scientific support." How would you respond to these statements? Your personal future may depend on it. The movement that Homola is a part of is a great example of why you need to support subluxation-based research through a subscription to JVSR. Do it today. https://www.wcamedia.com/fp/jvsr/subscribe.htm As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments and suggestions. Regards, Dr. Matthew McCoy Editor - Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. http://www.jvsr.com editor@jvsr.com |
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