| We've all heard stories about someone | | | | Chiropractor in the previous month. This |
| who was crippled or even killed by a | | | | compared to two of those in the control |
| Chiropractor. Sometimes we're even | | | | group. So an association was drawn |
| warned by our family doctor not to let | | | | between manipulation and strokes. The |
| our Chiropractor adjust us as it may | | | | problem with making such an opinion is |
| cause a stroke. Even the L.A. Times | | | | that headaches and neck pain are the |
| recently called the safety of | | | | early symptoms of this type of stroke. |
| manipulation into question. Just how | | | | So of course more people with neck pain |
| safe is chiropractic treatment? What are | | | | and headaches sought chiropractic care |
| the facts? 1. Due to the extreme rarity | | | | versus those who were in the control |
| of injuries caused by Chiropractic | | | | group who were pain free. This |
| treatment and its unequaled safety | | | | illustrates the problem with |
| record, chiropractic doctors pay only a | | | | association-type studies. They don't |
| fraction (i.e. 1/10 to 1/50) the | | | | show the cause only association. For |
| malpractice rates compared to medical | | | | example, the following is a common |
| physicians. (1) 2. Only 19 deaths have | | | | example taught in research courses that |
| been attributed to Chiropractic | | | | warn against making conclusions from |
| treatment worldwide over the latest 65 | | | | such studies. Since there are more |
| years studied (1934-1999). In fact, the | | | | churches in violent neighborhoods, |
| risk of "serious injury" from | | | | churches lead to violence. Actually, |
| anti-inflammatory medication including | | | | establishing churches are a reaction to |
| Aspirin and Advil is 400 times greater | | | | people living in a violent neighborhood, |
| than from manipulation. (2) In other | | | | not a cause. In fact, another study |
| words, it's much safer to have a | | | | published by the same journal, |
| chiropractic treatment for your neck | | | | "Neurology," found fewer people having |
| pain or headache then taking medicine | | | | strokes if they were adjusted than the |
| (over the counter or prescribed). 3. | | | | control group that wasn't. |
| Nearly 10,000 studies have been | | | | Unfortunately, that never made the |
| performed on manipulation (making it the | | | | newspapers nor did most of the other |
| most thoroughly studied form of | | | | studies which showed chiropractic |
| treatment for back pain) and the great | | | | treatment far safer than all other |
| majority have found the following when | | | | medical treatments. Why the media prints |
| compared to medical treatment: a. | | | | inflammatory stories while ignoring |
| Increased patient satisfaction. b. | | | | others that would put your mind at ease |
| Shortened time to return to activities | | | | is beyond the scope of this paper. But |
| or work. c. Less permanent disability. | | | | it is unfortunate that people are being |
| d. Less costly. The governments of | | | | scared away from a treatment that is |
| several countries, including the United | | | | absolutely safer and more effective and |
| States (A.H.C.P.R.) and Canada (Manga), | | | | by default being directed to one that |
| have found manipulation to be the most | | | | has significantly greater risks. |
| effective form of treatment for back | | | | Personally, between Dr. Murray and |
| pain. In fact, the Canadian report | | | | myself, we have practiced about 40 years |
| suggested that Chiropractors be the | | | | and have never injured anyone (more than |
| "gate keepers" for back pain saying that | | | | some temporary soreness as part of the |
| it would save Canada hundreds of | | | | treatment). The real danger comes from |
| millions of dollars if their citizens | | | | having musculoskeletal problems that are |
| saw Chiropractor's first. After | | | | covered-up with drugs and surgery. Since |
| reviewing all published studies, it was | | | | the cause is not addressed this way, the |
| determined that there were "no medical | | | | patients often get worse, more |
| procedures that were as safe as | | | | discouraged and depressed and there are |
| Chiropractic treatment." The British | | | | often side effects. We use only the |
| Medical Journal and the U.S. Department | | | | safest of all procedures and |
| of Health and Human Services found | | | | specifically screen for all risk factors |
| similar results. In fact, the U.S. | | | | that make manipulation unsafe. I'm sure |
| government reported that physical | | | | you have already noted how thorough we |
| therapy and acupuncture were not "cost | | | | are. This is the only way that you |
| effective" and that surgery was useful | | | | should be treated by any of your |
| in only 1% of cases. Further, the report | | | | doctors. If you ever have questions |
| was emphatic that they should be | | | | about the risks or benefits of any |
| employed only after conservative | | | | procedure, always feel free to speak to |
| approaches (like manipulation) were | | | | us directly. (1) Malpractice Statistics |
| first exhausted. So why are there still | | | | from the National Chiropractic Mutual |
| news reports of the dangers of | | | | Insurance Company, West Des Moines, |
| Chiropractic? Lets take a look at the | | | | Iowa. (2) Terrett, A, Current Concepts |
| last article that was reported by the | | | | in Vertebrobasilar Complications, NCMIC |
| journal, "Neurology", and reported in | | | | Group, Inc., 2001, p 199. |
| the L.A. Times. The study found that | | | | Dr. Rick Morris is the founder of the |
| seven out of the 51 people questioned | | | | The Morris Spinal Stenosis and Disc |
| who had a stroke were adjusted by a | | | | Center in Santa Monica, Ca. |