Positive Press

“The move toward chiropractic is consumer-driven.” So reads the article, “Take That Back,” by Joanne Kaufman in the November 18, 2002, issue of New York magazine. The gist of the story is that many famous Manhattanites are turning to chiropractors for care of not only back pain, but also other complaints, such as in the Achilles’ tendon and the upper extremities.

The article appears to be a little star-struck—quoting celebrities like fashion designer Oscar de la Renta and former dancer Cilda Shaur, and name-dropping actresses Kristen Johnston and Cynthia Nixon, socialite Brooke Astor, and designer Ralph Lauren—but I have learned to never underestimate the power of celebrity endorsements. How many more shoes did Nike sell because Michael Jordon wore them? And how many more people are doing “downward dog” (this yogi included) because of the yoga-craze sweeping the nation at the off-hand mention of it in interviews by singer/actress Madonna, model/spokesperson Christy Turlington, and a host of other celebrities.

If this helps bring in more people in need of chiropractic care, despite the American Medical Association’s (AMA) campaign against chiropractic, then why not? Jerome F. McAndrews, spokesman for the American Chiropractic Association, said in the article, “The AMA referred to chiropractors as rabid-dog killers and latent homosexuals who like to put their hands on people.” The article also reveals, “Until the matter was successfully challenged in court in 1987, an amendment to the [AMA’s] canon forbade doctors from referring a patient to a chiropractor or accepting a referral from a chiropractor.”

McAndrews also reported that “25 million people headed to chiropactors to find out [what to do about back pain], a 47% increase from last year.”

Much has changed since then. There are now many multispecialty offices that offer chiropractic, acupuncture, and traditional Western medicine. The Continuum Center for Health and Healing, an outpost of Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, is one such practice the article talks about. “A lot of patients are really ticked off with traditional medicine right now...They want nothing to do with conventional therapy,” said Woodson Merrel, executive director.

This kind of practice may be a harbinger for the future of health care in America.

But of course, there were naysayers mentioned in the article—who are becoming few and far between—such as Eli Bryk, chairman of orthopedic surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital who said that most chiropractic treatment methods are basically physical therapy. All chiropractors would object vehemently to that assumption.

My main objection to the article is the following statement: “Still, the adjustment in thinking has only gone so far. Doctor taxonomy has it that if you can’t get into med school, you go to med school in Mexico. Failing that, you go to osteopathy school. If you can’t get in there you to go dental school...If you can’t cut it there, you head for podiatry school. If you couldn’t get in anywhere, you become a chiropractor.”

How insulting to dentists, podiatrists, and most of all, chiropractors! Why the assumption that MDs are at the top of the totem pole? Most DCs to whom I have spoken have made a conscious decision to pursue chiropractic because of their dissatisfaction with the teachings of traditional Western medicine. Chiropractic is definitely not the easiest road to take. It takes a dedicated person wanting to help others despite, not too long ago, being regarded as a quack and bone-cracker. Chiropractors should be commended for their unique approach to rid their patients of dis-ease. CP

Miwon Seo
mseo@medpubs.com