Friday, December 4, 2009
Human history has always been innervated by the ubiquitous presence of medicine, from spiritual healers and shamans to surgeons and pharmacists. Accompanying cultural and technological innovation, the competition between these methods of healing for centuries have evolved into modern medicine today.
The totality of medical advancement is due entirely to a historical move from medicine based on supernatural ideology to one reliant upon scientific evidence. The best example of the importance of this transition is the parallel history of chiropractic and osteopathic medicine.
Both chiropractic and osteopathy were created in the late 19th century, focusing on the importance of the musculoskeletal skeleton in human disease. Both were created by Americans: D.D. Palmer invented chiropractic and A. T. Still invented osteopathy. Although both were similar in their origin and philosophy, they diverged quickly as conventional evidence-based medicine gained ground in the 20th century.
Chiropractic is based on vitalism, the idea that there is an “innate intelligence” or life force behind human health. This supernatural philosophy still penetrates chiropractic today, as the practice has been divided into two subsets, “straights” and “mixers.”
Chiropractors who are straights adhere to Palmer’s original philosophy of innate intelligence, believing that all illness can be treated with vertebral manipulation. The mixers add other methods to their approach to illness, often including other alternative medical ideologies such as homeopathy, acupuncture and naturopathy. The extent to which these mixers use these different approaches varies greatly, but chiropractic still remains outside the realm of modern medicine.
Osteopathy has had a much different evolution. Although osteopathy still maintains a small emphasis in musculoskeletal manipulations in some treatments, it has fully embraced evidence-based medicine and entered the same level of medical professionalism as traditional M.D.’s.
Why has osteopathy entered mainstream medicine while chiropractic remains on the fringes? It has to do with its transformation into evidence-based medicine. Once medicine becomes based on science, it constantly evolves to bring better care to patients and develop novel treatments that are constantly being tested, evaluated and improved. This expansion and improvement of care historically allowed the practitioners of evidence-based medicine to become mainstream providers.
Modern chiropractic practice needs a revolution. D.O.’s have joined M.D.’s in delivering the primary source of health care for the public, and chiropractors have been pushed to the side. This marginalization has forced them into the dichotomy of straights and mixers, either embracing an antiquated approach to medicine or including others.
The only way chiropractic can be legitimized is if it embraces evidence-based and science-based medicine and rejects supernatural ideology. Modern medicine only exists as it is today because it’s practioners were willing to admit that old practices can be ineffective, and thus work to constantly improve. Doctors of chiropractic should move away from a medicine based on vitalism to one based on science.
— Folmsbee is a Topeka senior in neurobiology.
Folmsbee: Alternative medicine research fails to deliver
Complementary healthcare treatments should compete for government money.
Holtzen: Chiropractors break the back of honest ...
Alternative treatment method falls short on claims.
Folmsbee: There will never be a cure ...
Claims that a cure for cancer will be discovered are unrealistic, but ...
The alternative for healing
A look at unconventional medicinal techniques
Folmsbee: Homeopathy is nothing more than a ...
Science is not only unfounded, but is also dangerous.
Folmsbee: No evidence for acupuncture
Acupuncture remains popular, despite little scientific support.
Tibet adds Western medicine to its holistic ...
Folmsbee: Darwin day recognizes evolution's importance
200 years after Darwin's birth, many Americans don't accept the theory of ...
Folmsbee: Vaccines not to blame for autism
Scientists disagree with the anti-vaccination movement over relationship between vaccines and autism.
Letter: Intelligent design documentary fails to find ...
Film seeks to refute evolutionary theory.
The gift of the garden
Folmsbee: Don't 'believe' in evolution
Theory is something that is to be accepted.
Folmsbee: Vaccines not to blame for autism
Evidence shows vaccines are safe, but misinformation about autism is prevalent.
What's hiding in your cabinets?
Facts about expired medicine
Tae kwon do influences senior’s style of ...
Amanda Jobe currently holds the ranking of recommended black belt.
Folmsbee: Why can't we all get along?
Continued controversy in battle of religion vs. science isn't necessary.
Alumnus discusses genes
Many students have shown their interest in using their education at the ...
Gentler method of relief
Letter to the editor: January 31, 2008
Herbs cause health risks.
Good for you / bad for you
Popping your back
Professor receives $10M grant
The National Institutes of Health is fudning the research of Bob Hanzlik, ...
Free: Time to clear up some misunderstandings ...
Here are a few word that should enlighten the enlightened.
Folmsbee: MCAT forgets purpose, puts focus on ...
The medical school examination stresses rote memorization, not scientific literacy.
Spanish, Portuguese receive prize
The department of Spanish and Portuguese won a $10,000 award from The ...
Folmsbee: Science Nobel Prizes Overlooked
The American public loses interest in important Nobel Prize winners in science.
KU Medical School keeps tight admissions standards
School of Medicine maintains same number of accepted applicants despite nationwide shortage ...
Folmsbee: Hunting the ghost hunters
The paranormal are invisible through scientific glasses.
Board of Regents names chancellor search committee
The 18-member committee includes representatives from the faculty, student body, endowment association, ...
Letter: Economic views more important than evolutionary ...
Belief in evolution not specific to one party.
Folmsbee: Science Nobel Prizes overlooked
Scientists from around the world were honored with Nobel Prizes, but the ...
Student aids tsunami victims
Looking for a medicinal alternative?
It's totally unproven, but getting a lot of cash: As more students ...
Atkinson to serve as interim chancellor
Barbara Atkinson will continue in her role as Executive Vice Chancellor of ...
Folmsbee: Cold remedy Airborne crashes
Airborne's claim to cure the common cold is overblown
Not-so-common knowledge
Mythbusters - KU style
Laptops cause new ailment
Research shows that frequent laptop use puts students at risk for pain ...
Exhibit displays areas of African culture
The Spencer Museum of Art hosts an exhibit showcasing African health and ...
Folsmbee: Citizens should learn stem cell terminology
By knowing the jargon, people can ensure that they're properly informed.
Minster: Follow my philosophy
The teachings of ancient philosophers have become irrelevant in the modern world. ...
Bond: Develop personal definition of religion to ...
It is important and necessary to faith to develop a definition of ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Folmsbee: A chiropractic reformation
Subjectively, I have been to both an osteopath and a chiropractor for the treatment of chronic problems resulting from my mild to moderate scoliosis, and I have to say that the chiropractor has been much more effective in both temporary and, over time, long-term relief of my symptoms. Yet, they still do have a bad rep for their natropathic, "out there" approach, which really seems a shame given their overall effectiveness.
Folmsbee: A chiropractic reformation
As a Chiropractor who was taught and began practice in the "mixer" ways and now practices "straight" it is always interesting to read articles and blogs about "evidence-based" Chiropractic. Supposedly the "evidence-based" "mixer" party would have us believe that because something is stated as "evidence-based" it is better. In this entry "better" refers to "mixing" and is not always the case...
In practice I have found the original "straight" adjusting methods far more effective and help a broader spectrum of health situations compared to the "mixer" style of manipulation. I found that manipulations were only good for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions so often accepted by the mainstream when it comes to Chiropractic. Whereas "straight" Chiropractic also helps organic issues, neurologic situations and overall health and well-being...
The fact that Chiropractic chooses to lay outside of the mainstream shows it's lack of ego (to be accepted). For those who find "straight" Chirorpactic they often become our voice as we have no need for acceptence. Truth doesn't need acceptence, only to be.
The obvious dismissal of "straight" Chiropractic in the above entry is irresponsible. With patients often stating relief or cesssation of a variety symptoms and conditions through specific (and yes, scientific) Chirorpactic Adjustment, many "straights" are awaiting the inclusion of Chiropractic in any research study comparing "evidence-based medicine" to "straight" Chiropractic. We look forward to the day which vindicates our craft in the media and research. Such studies are shunned by the mainstream; in my opinion, out of fear that we may be correct. If that day never comes, we are happy to help those who find us.
Find a competant DC to provide "straight" chiropractic adjustment, and your studies will show the effective evidence of Chiropractic. Without proper training, would you fight a "black belt?" Just as a martial artist wouldn't send a white belt or untrained individual to fight a black belt, don't ask a manipulator to perform an adjuster's job. They are two different breeds of canine, and you don't call a wolf a dog...
I leave with one question, why would "straight" Chiropractic, which has proven it's practices time and again, which has a 90% patient approval rating, which has neurologic researchers stating Palmer's principles in their own way (in their own words and papers) want to become heaped with mainstream medicine when mainstream medicine has been shown ineffective and costly by the AMA itself? It seems we and our patients have the best of everything we could ever want. Let the "mixers" join the MDs and DOs, just don't call it Chiropractic.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID