Chiropractic Versus The AMA

For many years, chiropractors were labeled as quacks by the established medical community. Only in recent years have medical doctors started to work with chiropractors instead of having a confrontational relationship with them. The basic theory behind chiropractic is that subluxations are the cause of many, if not most, medical problems. Subluxations are defined as misalignments in the spine or other skeletal structures that may cause blocked and impaired nerve functions. The idea is that if a chiropractor realigns the spine then normal nerve pathways will be restored and good health will be the result for the patient. However, there is no scientific evidence that supports these theories and this is why medical doctors were opposed to chiropractic. All the studies made in support of chiropractic are basically testimonials from patients. The chiropractor aligns the patient's spine and the patient "says" he feels better. Whether or not the alignment is the direct and only cause of the patient's restored health has not been scientifically established.

In the 1970s the American Medical Association (AMA), which is the main governing body for medical doctors in the USA, officially condemned and labeled chiropractic as a cult and quackery. The AMA actually had a section in its written Medical Code of Ethics that prevented medical doctors from associating with chiropractors in any way, shape or form. Also, the AMA's Committee on Quackery was working hard to discredit chiropractic by preventing coverage and recognition in all federal and state government agencies. The chiropractors, in return, sued the AMA claiming that the condemnation restricted free trade, and they won the lawsuit. Lawsuits between the AMA and chiropracters continued throughout the 1980s culminating in a Supreme Court decision in 1990 that supported an earlier decision that found the AMA guilty of illegally boycotting and conspiring against the chiropractic profession. The lawsuits didn't establish the scientific validity of chiropractic medicine but they did allow chiropractors to continue their practice without medical doctor interference. Despite improvements in the relation between medical doctors and chiropractors since then, chiropractors are still not a normal established part of the medical staffs at hospitals and medical clinics. Chiropractors usually work out of their own buildings and organizations separate from medical doctors' facilities. Occasionally a doctor will refer a patient to a chiropractor and vice versa but there is no clearly established working relationship between the two.

Part of the problem is that the established medical profession has for many years been opposed to all other alternative forms of medicine, valid or not. Science was not the real legal issue. They actively tried to contain and eliminate competition, which is against the law. The AMA has enjoyed its monopoly of the health profession industry and has zealously tried to defend it against all other approaches whether it be acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic or any other form of health care that does not buy into the surgery and drugs culture of the established medical community.

The biggest losers in all of this unfortunately have been the patients. If a spirit of cooperation and learning had been fostered between doctors and chiropractors instead of antagonism there would undoubtedly be a much stronger infrastructure today for providing health care to patients.

Rate Article

Related Videos
Play Video How Fibromyalgia is Helped By Chiropractic	Play Video Methods of Chiropractic	Play Video Obscure Symptoms Helped by Chiropractic	Play Video Role of Exercise in Chiropractic	Play Video What is Chiropractic Care

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Chiropractic Therapy" article category.

People interested in the above article "Chiropractic Versus The AMA" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 

Chiropractic After A Car Accident

Transportation in our time has become all about motorized vehicles that move us from place to place. Short distances, long distances and everything in between happen at speeds much faster than walking. All this moving has led to the inevitable sudden stopping that happens in a car accident, and if you live in America you are almost guaranteed to be in one at some point.

Can A Chiropractor Help My Baby?

Your infant is crying constantly, uncontrollably. Your pediatrician is telling you "to wait it out" or worse - prescribing an acid reflux medicine with alarming possible side effects for reflux and colic. Chiropractic medicine may just be the alternative you're looking for. Many parents don't even consider going to the chiropractor for their infants but chiropractic pediatric treatment has been receiving more attention in the last 20 years.

Tips on Chiropractic Consultation and Finding One for You

You'll notice from chiropractor marketing, such as online marketing for chiropractors that some chiropractic doctors choose to work in tandem with massage therapists or physical therapists. They hope by offering a full range of varied services more people will choose to pay attention to all of that marketing for chiropractors and stop in for a treatment. The services are normally covered by medical insurance. Check your policy beforehand to if you are covered for chiropractic treatment.

How To Choose The Right Chiropractor For You!

So, you’ve heard of Chiropractic, and now you are thinking of actually going to see what they actually do. There are many misconceptions flying around about Chiropractic in general, so sometimes it can be hard to find reliable information about the subject. Part of the reason this is so difficult is that each Chiropractor practices the healing art a little bit differently. If you are going to trust a Doctor of Chiropractic with your health, then we strongly recommend that you consider the following things first...

Chiropractors: 'Kiropraktor' All What you Need to Know

We can go to work when we are sick. We can go to work with a broken leg. However, try going to work with a bad back. In fact, try going anywhere other than your couch with a bad back. This is where the importance of the Chiropractor comes in. Through the use of their delicate hands, they cure our aches and pains and keep us from becoming huddled masses struggling to move from the couch to the kitchen. For a chiropractor, their most important piece of equipment in their hands, and in fact, chiropractor means Done by Hand in Greek.

Chiropractic Elements of Therapy

Chiropractors regard the body's nervous system as fundamental to health. Pain and disease are the result of undue pressure on the nervous system by mechanical, chemical, or psychological factors.

Find A Chiropractor To Treat Your Bad Back

When one gets old, it is easy to have back problems, typically after a morning jog or some form of exercises.