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From: mc68020@gilbbs.UUCP (Tom Keller)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: What do you go to chiropractors for?
Message-ID: <86@gilbbs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Mar-86 17:06:58 EST
Article-I.D.: gilbbs.86
Posted: Mon Mar 17 17:06:58 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Mar-86 04:44:48 EST
References: <41@spdcc.UUCP>
Organization: Gil's Place, Santa Rosa CA
Lines: 77

"grounded in the scientific approach"...   like bleeding patients, the
use of leeches, the complete failure of the medical profession to recognize
PMS and other female health problems due to a male-oriented philosophical
base?  *HAH*

   T.J. Palmer was an ignorant, but observant individual.  He lacked the
training necessary to truly understand and explain the results he got.
Fortunately for the world, Chiropractic schools no longer teach the Palmer
Philosophy.

   No competent chiropractor that I am aware of claims that chiropractic 
can or will cure *ANYTHING*, much less everything.  That bogus claim is
a direct result of the AMA deliberately using out-dated chiropractic
materials (from Palmer's time) in their smear campaigns.  Recall that
the AMA is the same group that opposed the licensing of, among others,
physchologists, dentists, podiatrists.  The AMA has lost any number of
law suits brought against it by the Chiropractors.  Many insurance 
companies (including quite a few state Worker's Compensation carriers)
actually prefer chiropractic treatment for patients with back injuries
(after screening by an orthopedist for breakage or other orthopedic
damage).  They achieve better results, faster, and for less money.
As I said in an earlier posting, compare the annual premiums paid by
MDs and DCs for malpractive insurance...this tells you something.

   IN late 1981, I suffered a severe compressive injury to my spine.  I
went to hospitals, and doctors galore.  Most of them did nothing, claiming
there was nothing wrong, and all that pain was "in my imagination"  Cute.
I am *SO* glad that they took those AMA required courses in mind reading.
In any case, none of them were able to provide me with *ANY* relief.
After a few years of crippling chronic pain, and massive muscular spasms,
I reluctantly went to a chiropractor.  After 2-3 sessions, my level of
pain was down considerably, the muscle spasms, while still resent, were
not as bad, and I was somewhat more functional.  I also wasn't being doped 
out of my mind on muscle relaxers and pain killers.  (as a minor side
issue, I had no money or insurance at the time.  This chiropractor was
treating a friend, who had talked to him about me.  He insisted that I come
in for treatment.  He said that I would surely have more money someday,
but that treatment was essential.  He waited 3 years for that money, treatig
me the whole time.  Never complained about the money.  How many MDs would
do that?)

   Most chiropractors are honest, well trained healers, practicing a method
that is proven to provide relief, and is *SOME* cases has produced what
at least appear to be "cures".  Unfortunately, there are quacks in every
sector of the health care field.  The AMA just *LOVES* to publicize the
occasional quack chiropractor...too bad they don't put as much energy
into publicizing their own quacks when discovered.

   Modern chiropractic is not for everyone.  If you have a backache, or
a neck ache, or leg pains, and your MD can't do anything but provide you
with mind-dulling drugs that provide only minimal and temporary relief,
then you should consider seeing a chiropractor.  They *MAY* be able to
help.

   Don't fall victim to the money-grubbing power politics of the AMA.
Check the facts for yourself.  Remember that the AMA is the organization
that owns millions of $$$ in tobacco stock, and refused to support the
Surgeon General's warnings on cigarette packages.  According to studies
I have seen, the official AMA postions seldom represent the opinions
of the member MDs.  Often, according to these studies, they represent as
few as 5-10% of the membership.

   Doctors are human beings, not gods.  Western medical "science" has no
valid claim to being the only correct or effective means of achieving
health care.  When I need an MD, I see one.  When I need a chripractor, I
see one.

-- 

====================================

Disclaimer:  I hereby disclaim any and all responsibility for disclaimers.

tom keller
{ihnp4, dual}!ptsfa!gilbbs!mc68020

(* we may not be big, but we're small! *)