Chiropractic Origins, Controversies, and Contributions

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Chiropractic Origins, Controversies, and Contributions REVIEW ARTICLE Chiropractic Origins, Controversies, and Contributions Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD; David M. Eisenberg, MD hiropractic is an important component of the US health care system and the largest al- ternative medical profession. In this overview of chiropractic, we examine its history, theory, and development; its scientific evidence; and its approach to the art of medicine. Chiropractic’s position in society is contradictory, and we reveal a complex dynamic of conflictC and diversity. Internally, chiropractic has a dramatic legacy of strife and factionalism. Exter- nally, it has defended itself from vigorous opposition by conventional medicine. Despite such ten- sions, chiropractors have maintained a unified profession with an uninterrupted commitment to clini- cal care. While the core chiropractic belief that the correction of spinal abnormality is a critical health care intervention is open to debate, chiropractic’s most important contribution may have to do with the patient-physician relationship. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:2215-2224 Chiropractic, the medical profession that (whereas the number of physicians is ex- specializes in manual therapy and espe- pected to increase by only 16%).6 cially spinal manipulation, is the most im- Despite such impressive creden- portant example of alternative medicine tials, academic medicine regards chiro- in the United States and alternative medi- practic theory as speculative at best and cine’s greatest anomaly. its claims of clinical success, at least out- Even to call chiropractic “alterna- side of low back pain, as unsubstanti- tive” is problematic; in many ways, it is ated. Only a few small hospitals permit chi- distinctly mainstream. Facts such as the ropractors to treat inpatients, and to our following attest to its status and success: knowledge, university-affiliated teaching Chiropractic is licensed in all 50 states. An centers have not yet granted chiroprac- estimated 1 of 3 persons with lower back tors privileges to perform manipulation on pain is treated by chiropractors.1 In 1988 patients.7-9 Although the American Medi- (the latest year with reliable statistics), be- cal Association (AMA) no longer prohib- tween $2.42 and $4 billion3 was spent on its its members from consulting with chi- chiropractic care, and in 1990, 160 mil- ropractors, especially since it was found lion office visits were made to chiroprac- guilty of conspiracy in this regard (see be- tors.4 Since 1972, Medicare has reim- low), chiropractic’s size and power have bursed patients for chiropractic treatments, not translated into complete acceptance. and these treatments are covered as well Contradictions and tensions exist not by most major insurance companies. In only between chiropractic and main- 1994, the Agency for Health Care Policy stream medicine but within chiropractic it- and Research removed much of the onus self. Since its inception, chiropractors have of marginality from chiropractic by de- disagreed about the definition of the therapy claring that spinal manipulation can alle- and its scope of practice. Various theories viate low back pain.5 In addition, the pro- vie for dominance within the profession. A fession is growing: the number of multiplicity of competing adjustment tech- chiropractors in the United States—now niques also vie with each other under the at 50 000—is expected to double by 2010 rubric of chiropractic. The mode of chiro- practic intervention—by means of the From the Center for Alternative Medicine Research, Department of Medicine, Beth hands—and its unique therapeutic niche, Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. primarily pain disorders, seem too narrow ARCH INTERN MED/ VOL 158, NOV 9, 1998 2215 ©1998 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Downloaded From: https://jamanetwork.com/ on 09/23/2021 a foundation for its claim to encom- inconsequential or beneath their dig- clearly a folk tradition, and the lat- pass a distinct health system with au- nity.13,14 Bonesetters did much more ter could not shed its occult status. tonomous licensing, credentialing, than help mend bones. They often Chiropractic, however, could and and educational institutions. treated painful conditions caused by did describe itself as science, and in Yet, despite external conflicts “subluxations,” which meant a “joint the 19th century, such a label was and perhaps partly because of them, ‘put out’; and the one method of cure indispensable if a medical move- and despite the intraprofessional dis- [is] the wrench aid, the rough move- ment hoped to emerge from a host agreements and uncertainty about its ment by which it is said that the joint of contending traditions. Although scope of practice, chiropractic has is ‘put in’ again.”15(p1) self-taught, Palmer saw himself as a found an internal coherence that has Palmer frequently mentioned scientist and wasted no time in allowed it to become an enduring the bonesetter’s tradition, identified adopting prevailing scientific no- presence in the United States. This with it, and probably had some train- tions of the spinal cord to chiroprac- integrity has to do with the profes- ing in it. Palmer’s innovation profes- tic theory. An early 19th-century fas- sion’s belief in the importance of bio- sionalized the craft, guaranteeing its cination with the spinal cord led to mechanics; the centrality of manual continuation into the modern era. The mainstream speculation, and by therapy, especially for the spine; and upgrade extended to nomenclature; 1828, orthodox physicians began to a clinical dynamic that provides pa- with help from a minister conver- warn about the threat posed to the tients with explanations, meaning, sant with Greek, “bonesetting” be- organs of the body by “spinal irri- and concrete experiences that pro- came “chiropractic,” a phrase that tation.”18 Spinal irritation in the 19th mote a strong patient-physician means “hand work.” century became a catchall for a host bond, a sense of caring, and a re- of complaints. The theory was so stored sense of well-being. Magnetic Healing well accepted that Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) could com- CHIROPRACTIC’S ORIGIN Although the bonesetting tradition fortably tell the 1871 graduating gave chiropractic its method, “mag- class of Bellevue Hospital College Most sources date the birth of chiro- netic healing” provided the theory. that he kept the phrase “spinal irri- practic as September 18, 1895, when Palmer acknowledged a special debt tation” “on hand for patients that Daniel David (usually called “D. D.”) to magnetic healing when he wrote, [sic] will insist on knowing the pa- Palmer (1845-1913) shoved a single “chiropractic was not evolved from thology of their complaints.”19(p389) cervical vertebra of a deaf janitor of medicine or any other method, Gradually discarded by main- the Putnam Building in downtown except that of magnetic.”16(p111) stream medicine and replaced by the Davenport, Iowa. A mythic aura clings Derived from Anton Mesmer’s term “neurasthenia” (and later, “de- to the event, partly because of its im- (1734-1815) investigations into the pression”), spinal irritation en- portance and because there is little supposed curative effects of animal tered into chiropractic through the agreement among witnesses about magnetism, practitioners of mag- subluxation terminology of bone- when it happened, who was there, or netic healing identified the unim- setters. Palmer extended the scope what actually occurred.10 (The mythic peded flow of energy with health and of spinal irritation and subluxation aspect of the story may have been in- defined illness as obstruction. For 9 beyond the class of ailments that oth- tentionally enhanced by selecting the years before his discovery of chiro- erwise defied analysis; it was, for date of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish practic, Palmer was one of a small him, the key to understanding New Year, which was an occasion for army of healers who routinely sickness as a whole. At the same revelation in 19th-century Ameri- “magnetized” their patients.17 Palm- time, the adoption of the widely can millennialism.11,12) Whether fact, er’s major revision of traditional accepted concept of spinal irrita- folklore, or both, the founding blow magnetism was to call it “innate tion lent credibility to chiropractic. of chiropractic was more than a intelligence” and to claim that its chance event or momentary inspira- pathway was the human nervous Popular Health Reform tion. In fact, it creatively synthesized system, especially the spinal cord. 4 previously distinct health care tra- Misaligned spinal vertebrae (the re- Palmer cured the Davenport jani- ditions: bonesetting, magnetic heal- defined bonesetters’ “subluxation”) tor of his deafness. This restoration ing, orthodox science, and popular impinge on this beneficent flow and of hearing might have been re- health reform. cause illness. By marrying magne- garded as a freak occurrence were it tism to bonesetting, Palmer created not for a medical environment in Bonesetters a new and independent medical which news of such occurrences was movement, one more capable of com- eagerly awaited. A well-publicized Bonesetters were a common fixture peting for legitimacy than either of tug-of-war between “regulars” (phy- in 19th-century health care. As with its predecessors had been. sicians) and “irregulars” (alterna- the other healing crafts—mid- tive medicine practitioners) al- wifery, tooth-pulling, and barber- Orthodox Science ready had been sweeping the surgery—bonesetting was often part-
Recommended publications
  • Homeopathy and Psychological Therapies
    Entry Homeopathy and Psychological Therapies Davide Donelli * and Michele Antonelli AUSL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Definition: Homeopathy is a popular, although highly debated, medicinal practice based on the administration of remedies in which active substances are so diluted that no detectable trace of them remains in the final product. This hypothesis paper aims to outline a possible reinterpreta- tion of homeopathy in the light of psychological therapies in order to improve its clinical safety and sustainability. Keywords: homeopathy; psychology; reinterpretation; hypothesis 1. Introduction Homeopathy is a popular, although highly debated, medicinal practice. In Italy, for ex- ample, it is estimated that, even if with a slightly declining trend, around 4.1% of the entire population (almost 2.5 million people) occasionally or regularly seeks homeopathic care, and these data, collected in 2013, suggest that homeopathy is the most used Complemen- tary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by Italians [1]. Epidemiological studies aimed to assess the worldwide prevalence of homeopathy use have reported similar data for other high-income countries [2]. Homeopathy was first invented by the German doctor Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843), and it is based on the administration of remedies in which active substances are so diluted that no detectable trace of them remains in the final product [3]. In his empirical studies, Citation: Donelli, D.; Antonelli, M. Hahnemann reported that the self-administration of a common antimalarial medicinal Homeopathy and Psychological Ther- plant (Cinchona) resulted in the occurrence of the same symptoms of malaria, but to a Encyclopedia 2021 1 apies.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mystery and History of Spinal Manipulation
    Michael C. P. Livingston The Mystery and History of Spinal Manipulation SUMMARY SOMMAIRE This paper reviews the history of spinal Cet article raconte l'histoire de la manipulation de la manipulation and shows its origin in an colonne vertebrale, ses origines, son passe obscur obscure past among many cultures. The dans les diff6rentes civilisations. L'auteur suggere author suggests reasons for the medical plusieurs raisons qui peuvent expliquer le manque d'interet relatif de la profession medicale pour la profession's relative disinterest in manipulation et il s'interroge sur les motifs de cette manipulation, but questions this attitude. attitude. (Can Fam Physician 1981;27:300-302). I-i.....1 Dr. Livingston practices family Manipulation, meanwhile, was The doctress of Epsom has outdone medicine in Richmond, BC. being practiced in different localities you all . Reprint requests to: Suite 305, 7031 by different types of individuals in- A century later, Dr. Riadore, a Lon- Westminister Highway, Richmond, cluding priests, virgins and tame don physician, suggested a source for BC. V6X 1A3. bears-all trampling on the sufferers' much disease was the irritation of spi- backs. Captain Cook was "squeezed" nal nerves, while across the Atlantic, MANIPULATION of the spinal by Tahitian women for his sciatica in at Ohio Medical College, John Eberle Joints may be defined as an ex- 1777, noting in his diary that "they wrote: amination treatment procedure in made my bones crack". "When the pains are situated in the which the spinal joint or joints are In Europe, certain families came to head and upper extremities, the spi- moved beyond their restricted range to be called bone-setters, "knochen- nal affection, if any exist, will be their normal range of movement.
    [Show full text]
  • Distinguished Lecture
    Past Present and Future of Joint Manipulation Stanley V. Paris PT., PhD, FAPTA N.Z.S.P., F.N.Z.S.P.(Hon Fellow & Life).,, N.Z.M.T.A.,(Hon Life)., I.F.O.M.P.T.,(Hon Life)., F.A.A.O.M.P.T., M.C.S.P., B.I.M. Abstract: Presented as the first Distinguished Lecturers Award, of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists October 2011, the paper begins by addressing the richness of manipulative experience that caused the Founding Fellows to create the Academy. Speaking to his concerns that this richness seems to be forgotten by many practitioners he reviewed also the known effects of manipulation before then evaluating the evidence based literature criticizing much of it for being too basic and taking the profession back to where we were some fifty years ago before specific manipulative techniques were in vogue. Thus the current research is largely on non- specific regional techniques done for effect rather than for pathoanatomical and mechanical consideration. Many of the techniques being studied and promoted as manipulations ion the current literature do not justify to be called “manipulations” lacking as they do “skilled passive movements to a joint.” The paper argues for remembering that published literature is only one leg of the three legged stool of evidenced based practice, the other legs being patients wishes and culture, and the third being individual therapists expertise. Given the quality of much current physical therapy evidenced based literature Dr. Paris did not think that it was of sufficient scope and quality on which to base our practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Spinal Manipulation — Not an 'Adjustment'
    Spinal Manipulation — Not an ‘Adjustment’ How Does Manual Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Differ? By: Joe Waller MPT, Cert. SMT, CMTPT Spinal Manipulation, also known as ‘High-Velocity Low-Amplitude Thrust’ or ‘Spinal Manipulative Therapy’, is an ancient art and science tracing its origins to the earliest of medical practitioners. Practiced principally by physical therapists and chiropractors, it is also utilized to a lesser degree by medical and osteopathic physicians. Spinal manipulation is unique compared with other manual therapy techniques in that the clinician applies a rapid impulse, or thrust, in order to achieve a gapping and subsequent cavitation of the target joint. Joint cavitation is accompanied by an audible release recognized as a ‘popping’, or ‘cracking’, sound. Spinal manipulation is used by physical therapists to facilitate movement, relieve pain, increase circulation, relax muscles, and improve muscle function. A common misconception is that spinal manipulation by a physical therapist is synonymous with a chiropractic adjustment. So the question follows: what is the difference between the two? Between manual physical therapy and chiropractic? While technique application between the professions can be very similar, the two professions operate under divergent treatment models. A clearer understanding of the context and reasoning used to guide treatment will help differentiate between these two professions. The key phrases in the Wisconsin Definition of Chiropractic Practice Act are spinal column adjustment and spinal subluxations and associated nerve energy expression. Most chiropractors, to varying degrees, subscribe to the theory of the ‘spinal subluxation complex’, which asserts that the subluxation of a vertebra actively alters neurological function, which, if left untreated, will lead to disorders and disease of the various organ systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy Combined with Kinesio Tape Versus Elastic Bandage in Treatment of Chronic Lower Back Pain
    COPYRIGHT AND CITATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR THIS THESIS/ DISSERTATION o Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. o NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes. o ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. How to cite this thesis Surname, Initial(s). (2012) Title of the thesis or dissertation. PhD. (Chemistry)/ M.Sc. (Physics)/ M.A. (Philosophy)/M.Com. (Finance) etc. [Unpublished]: University of Johannesburg. Retrieved from: https://ujdigispace.uj.ac.za (Accessed: Date). CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATIVE THERAPY COMBINED WITH KINESIO TAPE√ VERSUS ELASTIC BANDAGE IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN A research dissertation presented to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, as partial fulfillment for the Masters degree in Technology, Chiropractic by Machere Venter (du Toit) (Student number: 200700894) Supervisor: _____________________ Date: _________________________ Dr. C.Yelverton Co-supervisor: ____________________ Date: __________________________ Dr. R.Potgieter DECLARATION I Machere du Toit, declare that this dissertation is my own, unaided work. It is being submitted as partial fulfillment for the Masters Degree in Technology, in the program of Chiropractic, at the University of Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other Technikon or University. _______________________________________ Machere du Toit On this day the ________________ of the month of _____________________2014 i AFFIDAVIT: MASTERS AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN This serves to confirm that I Machere du Toit ID number 8811170014080, Student number 200700894 am an enrolled student for the Qualification of Masters in Technology at Chiropractic Faculty of Health Science.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Frozen 2' Gives Homeopathic Quackery a Warm
    Technology & Ideas ‘Frozen 2’ Gives Homeopathic Quackery a Warm Embrace Disney's film appears to support a debunked, but increasingly popular, form of alternative medicine. By Ariel Procaccia December 24, 2019, 5:30 AM EST No memory whatsoever. Photographer: Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images Like millions of other parents, I dutifully took my kids to see Disney’s “Frozen 2” last month, thinking nothing of it. But a few weeks later, not only am I still humming “Into the Unknown.” I am also pondering whether the company that created Donald Duck has embraced quack medicine. Let me explain. The recurring theme in “Frozen 2” is that water has memory. This idea appears time and again throughout the movie, from the very first song — the haunting lullaby “All Is Found” (“where the Northwind meets the sea, there’s a river full of memory”) — to the predictably sentimental ending. At first glance that doesn’t seem unusual; after all, this is a movie whose main characters are an ice witch, a talking snowman and a guy who can basically read his reindeer’s mind. What I found suspicious, however, is a scene where Olaf (the snowman) entertains his friends with scientific trivia: Water has memory, turtles breathe through their butts, men are six times more likely to be struck by lightning than women, and wombats poop in squares. These claims are reasonably accurate, 1 except for water memory. To make matters worse, Olaf actually insists that “it’s disputed by many, but it’s true.” Olaf’s lecture seems to support homeopathy, a system of alternative medicine that relies on the idea that water “remembers” the effects of substances that were previously dissolved in it.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Chiropractic
    THE EVOLUTION OF CHIROPRACTIC ITS DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT BY A. AUG. DYE, D.C. (P.S.C., 1912) COPYRIGHTED 1939 Published by A. AUG. DYE, D.C. 1421 ARCH STREET PHILADELPHIA, PENNA. Printed in U. S. A. C O N T E N T S Chapter Title Page 1 Introduction—Discoverer of Chiropractic............................ 9 2 The Discovery of Chiropractic............................................. 31 3 “With Malice Aforethought” ............................................... 47 4 Early Development; Early School........................................ 61 5 Early Controversies; The Universal Chiropractors’ Asso- ciation; Morris and Hartwell; The Chiropractic Health Bureau; Lay Organization ................................................ 81 6 Medicine vs. Chiropractic.................................................... 103 7 The Straight vs. the Mixer ................................................... 113 8 The Straight vs. the Mixer ................................................... 127 9 The Straight vs. the Mixer; the Final Outcome .................... 145 10 The Chiropractic Adjustment; Its Development ................... 157 11 Chiropractic Office Equipment; Its Development ................ 175 12 The Spinograph; Its Development........................................ 189 13 Chiropractic Spinal Analyses; Nerve, Tracing; Retracing; the Neurocalometer .......................................................... 203 14 The Educational Development of Chiropractic; Basic Science Acts....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Alternative Medicine Options for the Prevention Or Treatment of Coronavirus
    medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.14.20101352; this version posted May 19, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license . 1 Exploring alternative medicine options for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus 2 disease 2019 (COVID-19)- A systematic scoping review 3 Amrita Nandan, Ph.D1; Santosh Tiwari, PhD1; Vishwas Sharma, Ph.D1* 4 5 6 7 Affiliation: 8 1 Department of Health Research, Society for Life Sciences and Human Health (non-profitable 9 charitable trust registered at the government of India). 10 11 Running head: Alternative medicine options for COVID-19. 12 *Correspondence 13 Vishwas Sharma, Ph.D 14 Society for Life Sciences and Human Health (non-profitable charitable trust registered at the 15 government of India), 16 84/8 K, Tilak Nagar, 17 Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, 18 India 19 Phone: +91-9560486193 20 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 21 1 NOTE: This preprint reports new research that has not been certified by peer review and should not be used to guide clinical practice. medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.14.20101352; this version posted May 19, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
    [Show full text]
  • The Chiropractic Adjuster (1921)
    THE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTER A Compilation of the Writings of D. D. PALMER by his son B. J. PALMER. D. C., Ph. C. President THE PALMER SCHOOL OF CHIROPRACTIC Davenport, Iowa, U. S. A. The Palmer School of Chiropractic Publishers Davenport, Iowa Copyright, 1921 B. J. PALMER, D. C., Ph. C. Davenport, Iowa, U. S. A. PREFACE My father was a prolific writer. He wrote much on many subjects. Some were directly apropos to chiropractic, many of them were foreign to it. He was very versatile in thinking, writing and speaking. He was a broad reader and a radical thinker. Away back in the years past, when I was but a boy, I recall going to his waste-basket each night, picking out the many sheets of long-hand, hand-written copies of his writings. I saved them. I saved them through the years, as much as I could. The compilation of these constituted my first step towards a scrapbook. Although chiropractic was not so named until 1895, yet the naming of “chiropractic” was much like the naming of a baby; it was nine months old before it was named. Chiropractic, in the beginning of the thoughts upon which it was named, dates back at least five years previous to 1895. During those five years, as I review many of these writings, I find they talk about various phases of that which now constitutes some of the phases of our present day philosophy, showing that my father was thinking along and towards those lines which eventually, suddenly crystallized in the accidental case of Harvey Lillard, after which it sprung suddenly into fire and produced the white hot blaze.
    [Show full text]
  • And Folk Medicine in Dutch Historiography
    Medical History, 1999, 43: 359-375 Shaping the Medical Market: On the Construction of Quackery and Folk Medicine in Dutch Historiography FRANK HUISMAN* It has been stated many times: traditionally, medical history was written by, for and about doctors, telling the story of unilinear scientific progress. Positivism tended to look at the history of medicine as a process of linear progress from religion through metaphysics to science, in which mankind was liberated from superstition and irrationality. This view was confirmed by the Weberian notion of a "disenchantment" of the world: in the course of the last few centuries, the influence of magic and animism was seen as having declined. In the field of medical thinking and medical practice, man was thought to have freed himself from the chains of superstition. Gradually, he had learned to relate to the world in rational terms; in the event of illness, academic doctors were the logical engineers of his body. However, the times of the grand stories are over, in general as well as in medical history. With non-physicians moving into the field, there has been a growing awareness of the constructed nature of medicine.1 Medical knowledge has come to be seen as functioning within a specific cultural context from which it derives its meaning.2 Today, illness is no longer considered to be a universal, ontological unit. Instead, the meaning of illness-as well as the response to it-is thought to be determined by factors of a social, economic, political and religious nature.3 The attraction of the old historical image lay in its simplicity.
    [Show full text]
  • Please, Let Not Western Quackery Replace Traditional Medicine in Africa
    Tropical Medicine and International Health doi:10.1111/tmi.12037 volume 18 no 2 pp 242–244 february 2013 Editorial Please, let not Western quackery replace traditional medicine in Africa Cees N. M. Renckens1 and Thomas P. C. Dorlo1,2,3 1 Dutch Society against Quackery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 Division of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands 3 Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands keywords quackery, CAM, traditional medicine, WHO, homeopathy In May 2012, the first gathering of homeopaths was speaking of a universally valid medicine, an open system organised on African soil (National Center for Homeop- that absorbs effective ways of treatment independently athy 2012). Despite the lack of evidence for the efficacy from their origin. Nowadays, acceptance and recognition of homeopathy in any disease and its blatant incompati- of treatments are judged by the rules of evidence-based bility with scientific medicine (see Box 1), the use and medicine, which demand a sound, rational scientific base, popularity of this Western quackery appears to be on preferably reinforced by convincing randomised clinical the rise in Africa, whereas its popularity in Europe is trials. One may regret it, but from this point of view the slowly waning. Western homeopaths who have set up future of TM is bleak. shop in Africa even impertinently suggest the potential This is particularly unfortunate because WHO data of homeopathy in the treatment of HIV and malaria, from 2006 indicate that access to regular medicine in inevitably with fatal consequences. These homeopaths sub-Saharan Africa is far from adequate; while there is like to compare their underdog position with that of one TM practitioner per 500 heads of population, there traditional medicine (TM) and thereby hope to gain is only one regular medicine practitioner per 40 000 undeserved respect in Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Chiropractic Manual Therapy on the Spine, Hip and Knee Henry P
    University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2000 The effect of chiropractic manual therapy on the spine, hip and knee Henry P. Pollard University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Pollard, Henry P., The effect of chiropractic manual therapy on the spine, hip and knee, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Wollongong, 2000. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/1097 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact Manager Repository Services: [email protected]. THE EFFECT OF CHIROPRACTIC MANUAL THERAPY ON THE SPINE, HIP AND KNEE. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the award of the degree Ph.D. from THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by HENRY P. POLLARD BSc, Grad Dip Chiropractic, Grad Dip App Sc, M Sport Sc DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE FACULTY OF HEALTH & BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES 2000 1 Declaration The work presented in this thesis is the original work of the author except as acknowledged in the text. I, Henry Pollard hereby declare that I have not submitted any material as presented in this thesis either in whole or in part for a degree at this or any other institution. Signed: Date: ui OO 2 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to three very special people in my life. To my mother Rosetta who worked so very hard for so long to enable me the opportunity to seek an education. To my father Don for fostering an environment of encouragement and support. To my wife Grace for providing unconditional support so that I could satisfy my educational needs.
    [Show full text]