There are a few things that you may not know about D.C.’s, which
surprised us, included the mounting research.
Their education is equal to their medical colleagues … and might be better in some areas.1
This might be difficult to accept,
but chiropractic students spend
markedly more hours in the
classroom than medical students,
especially in the areas of anatomy,
physiology, orthopedics, and
x-ray.2 Of course, their training is
different since “Chiros” concentrate
on muscles, bones, joints, and
nerves. Their education only
touches on medication, emergency
situations, etc. Many are beginning
to think this gives them a better
background in physical rehab.
A study of the curriculum of
North American chiropractic and
medical colleges found “Considerable
commonality exists between
chiropractic and medical programs.
Regarding the basic sciences, these
programs are more similar than
dissimilar.” 2
Even more interesting was a test
given to both chiropractic and
medical students. Chiropractic
students scored higher than
medical students on the musculoskeletal
(bones, joints, and muscles)
portion of the exam, while the
medical students faired slightly
better in other areas.1
In another study, chiropractors
and chiropractic students tested
“significantly higher” in reading
X-Rays when compared with their
medical colleagues in a study at the
University of California Medical
Center.3
They do more than crunch backs and necks
While chiros are known for
treating back and neck problems
with joint manipulation. Most are
well versed and board certified to
perform physical therapies.* They
are also licensed to function as
primary care physicians.4 Based on
their education many use nutrition
as a form of treatment.
It’s safe
Even though ghost stories of
adjustments gone wrong are
common, the actual risk of injury
from chiropractic treatment is
rare.5 Generally, the malpractice
insurance that doctors have to pay
is based, among other things, on
their field. Chiropractors as a
group pay the less for malpractice
insurance than any other type of
physician. Why? Lawsuits claiming
injuries or negligence are less
common against chiropractors.
By Dennis Bertoli
HEALTH: Top Secret
December 2008 PH&W Magazine 35
In the past there was concern
that there was an increased risk of
stroke could upper neck manipulation
treatments. However a 7-year
study organized by The United
Nations and the World Health
Organization just found that there
is no association with chiropractic
treatment and stroke.6
They took the AMA to court … and won … twice.
For decades chiropractors were
campaigned by the AMA (American
Medical Association) as not
being “real doctors” and met fierce
resistance from medical organizations.
Chiropractors claimed the
AMA was trying to snuff out the
competition with fear tactics and
bogus research. The U.S. Supreme
Court agreed with them in 1987…
and again in 1990. It was found that
the AMA was guilty of illegal
antitrust activities against the
chiropractic profession, ordered an
injunction on their activity, and
forcing them to print the courts
findings in the Journal of the
American Medical Association.
M.D.’s and D.C.’s are working together
It’s becoming more common to
find integrated offices, where M.D.’s,
D.O.’s, and D.C.’s are working
side-by-side. Many medical offices
now try to provide multi-specialty
approaches to treatment. With
natural forms of treatment
becoming more popular, drugless
forms of treatment have become
preferred by many over painmedication.
One survey of 266 medical
students at Georgetown University
revealed more than 75% felt that
alternative medicine techniques
should be included in their
curriculum.7 Chiropractic,
acupuncture, herbal medicine, and
nutritional supplements were the
most desired areas of interest.
PH&W
The views expressed in this editorial are soley
those of PH&W Magazine and do not reflect the
opinion of any contributing parties or advertisers.
References: (1) Sandefur R, Febbo TA, Rupert RL. Assessment of knowledge of primary care activities in a sample of medical and chiropractic students. J Manipulative
Physiol Ther. 2005 Jun;28(5):336-44. PMID: 15965408. (2) A Comparative Study of Chiropractic and Medical Education Altern Ther Health Med. 1998 (Sep); 4
(5): 64 75 Coulter I, Adams A, Coggan P, Wilkes M, Gonyea M. (3) Taylor JA, Clopton P, Bosch E, Miller KA, Marcelis S. Interpretation of abnormal lumbosacral
spine radiographs. A test comparing students, clinicians, radiology residents, and radiologists in medicine and chiropractic. Spine. 1995 May 15;20(10):1147-53;
discussion 1154. PMID: 7638657. 4 Meeker WC, Haldeman S (2002). “Chiropractic: a profession at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine” (PDF).
Ann Intern Med 136 (3): 216–27. PMID 11827498, http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/136/3/216.pdf.. (5) Thiel HW, Bolton JE, Docherty S, Portlock JC. Safety
of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine: a prospective national survey. Spine. 2007 Oct 1;32(21):2375-8; discussion 2379. PMID: 17906581. 6 Bone and
Joint Decade Task Force. Press Release, “Seven-Year Neck Pain Study Sheds Light on Best Care.” February 2008. http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/
February2008/15/c2658.html. 7 Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Jan-Feb; 13(1):30-5. Chaterji R, Tactenberg RE, Amri H, Lumpkin M, Amorosi SB, Haramati A.
Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. (7) Adequacy of Medical School Education in Musculoskeletal Medicine Journal of Bone and
Joint Surgery 1998 (Oct); 80-A (10): 1421–1427. http://www.chiro.org/ChiroZine/ABSTRACTS/Adequacy.shtml. (8) Educational Deficiencies in Musculoskeletal
Medicine Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2002 (Apr); 84–A (4): 604–608 http://www.chiro.org/ChiroZine/ABSTRACTS/Educational_Deficiencies.shtml. (9) A
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