In Our Defense

In Our Defense...A Chiropractors Viewpoint

By Dr. Jane Scott

As a conscientious, caring doctor of Chiropractic, I have usually let the "bad rap" on Chiropractic roll off my back. Many people are very misinformed about Chiropractors and what we do. Certainly there are "bad apples" in our profession, as there are in ANY profession, but they are not the norm. The aberrant few should not tarnish the image of the entire profession.

In recent weeks I have been increasingly disturbed about some very irresponsible and misleading reporting I have seen on Chiropractic. This, NOT COINCIDENTALLY, comes at a time when in the next few months Congress will be deciding whether Chiropractors services should be included in national health care reform. There are powerful special interest groups and associations who will attempt to discredit us and the fact that our profession is making a big difference with millions of Americans.

Let's look at the facts. Many research studies have concluded that Chiropractic care is not only effective, but also helps significantly reduce health-care costs.
    The respected RAND Corporation found that spinal manipulation is an appropriate method of treatment for back pain.
    A landmark Canadian study commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of health recently concluded that "highly significant' cost savings could be realized from the expanded use of Chiropractic care for the treatment of low back pain. It also recommended that Chiropractic care be "fully insured and integrated" in that governments health care system.
    A study published in the British Medical Journal found that Chiropractic treatment was more effective than hospital outpatient management for patients with chronic or severe back pain. Independent studies go on and on…
    Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed to practice in all 50 states and have received extensive training in a four year program, (after completing three years of pre-med courses), which emphasizes the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and how the body is affected by abnormal spinal conditions. As in our office… the ethical Chiropractor threats those conditions within their scope of practice and refers patients when necessary.
    Recently an article was published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution implying that Chiropractic treatment is unsafe… before that a very damaging 20/20 report depicting a few Chiropractors that nowhere near represent "mainstream" Chiropractic. Other articles I have heard about published in different areas have made this very gentle, mild mannered Chiropractor want to stand up, slam her fist on the table and say ENOUGH! As a high-ranking official has said, "This is a smear campaign, pure and simple."
    There is very little risk in Chiropractic care when a patient is managed properly and especially with more and more low-force or non-force techniques being used. A Chiropractors mal-practice insurance is only a minor fraction of the cost of a medical doctor so let's paint an accurate picture.
    I am a responsible parent of two teenage sons, a good citizen, give my time and services to the homeless, am active in my community and am a caring and compassionate doctor who helps her patients… YET I am still prejudged by some.
    This is the 90's. Let's look at the facts on mainstream Chiropractic and the increasing positive medical research that is continually coming out. Let patients have the freedom to choose… that is the American way. I urge you who have experienced the value of Chiropractic care to contact your Congressman and let your voice be heard. For those few who may have had a not-so positive experience, do not judge Chiropractic, try another Chiropractor. Would you give up dental or medical treatment if you had one negative experience with one doctor?
    Presently, most major insurance companies cover Chiropractic care and we are considered primary health care providers. There is a push by certain powers to nudge us out of national health care. If this was to happen, I would survive because of a strong family practice, customary fees, and patients who value my care. Many will not survive and I feel for the new doctors coming out of school. But the ones who suffer the biggest loss are the patients who pay their premiums but lose their freedom of choice. I do believe we need reform with skyrocketing health care costs, increasing premiums, pre-existing conditions, etc. I feel too, for the physicians and their skyrocketing malpractice premiums. There are no easy answers, but anyone who has dealt with Medicare knows that a government run health care system is not the answer. People must take charge, become an informed consumer and let your voice be heard. Now is the time.

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