Chiropractic Theory: It Isn’t That Simple

Ocean County Observer

July 23, 1984

Thomas Daly, staff counsel of the American Chiropractic Council took pains to take exception to some remarks I made about chiropractic.

In his letter to the Observer July 5, 1984, he states “chiropractic is built upon related scientific theories, one of which holds that disease may be caused by disturbance of the nervous system.” And therein lies the chiropractic rub. Chiropractic is built on theories, not facts, and the theories have not changed in the last 100 years. They have not been subjected b y the chiropractic profession to scientific proof or rigorous examination. There is no body of chiropractic research to develop or separate fact from theory, or to modify the theories upon which chiropractic was initiated.

Thus chiropractic remains circumscribed by its own theories, bound by its inability to progress beyond its origins. Daly goes on to explain that the nervous system coordinates cellular activities “that agents and conditions that irritate the nervous system...produce changes in the pattern of nerve impulses, deviating from the norm thus originating many functional disturbances which, if unchecked, lead to disease processes.”

The chiropractic implication is that all this can be set straight with spinal manipulation. The fact that spinal manipulation may be helpful in some instances does not validate the series of suppositions and theories promoted by Mr. Daly. Nor does it prove in any way that the nervous system has been singularly affected.

Spinal manipulation may reset the facets by which the transverse processes of the vertebrae articulate with each other, and the resounding click of successful manipulation may be the relocation of the facets. But that in no manner proves that manipulation has a primary effect on the nervous system. The nervous system is not concentrated at the foramina of vertebrae, but in the brain which is the motor that drives the mind. The secondary effects of dysfunction of the brain and/or mind can be widespread. In a similar manner pain can affect both brain and mind adversely. Chronic pain certainly has a depressive effect.

The brain communicates with the body via nerve pathways. But equally important is the fact that the brain governs endocrine function. It can determine thyroid function, ovarian function, testicular function, adrenal function, growth and others. But these governing properties of the mind and brain are not transmitted to the body via nerves but rather through a complex circulation of hormones and feedback mechanisms that keep the process in equilibrium. The matter is extremely involved. Only during the last 30 years has the mechanism b y which the brain exerts endocrine control been clarified. These hormones are present in Lilliputian portions, billionths of a grain. They are responsible for a great portion of bodily function.

It is somewhat presumptuous for a profession that deals only with vertebrae to claim responsibility for the entire nervous system. It just isn’t that simple. Thus it was heartwarming to learn that an American Association of Orthopedic Medicine has been formed. This specialty will incorporate manipulation into therapies and hopefully use it appropriately to determine when and how it might work.

Doctors know that the nervous system is intimately tied to pain; that if there were no nerves people would not feel pain; that if there were no brain people would not feel pain; that if the mind is separated from the body there will be no interpretation of pain. Osteopathy is a profession steeped in manipulative therapy. However, when it gained acceptance into the mainstream of medicine it generally forsook spinal manipulation. More is the pity.

Thus it is encouraging to learn that the specialty of medical orthopedics has at long last been created. Better late than never. The profession of medicine is comprehensive. Physicians can communicate with each other about the entire body as it relates to the state of the patient. We have a common frame of reference that translates into language we all understand. We can communicate between specialties. We cannot communicate total body problems with non-physicians.

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The specialty of medical orthopedics is now a reality. If it does nothing else it will help elucidate some of the mysteries that abound between mind and pain, psyche and soma. If it does nothing else the specialty of medical orthopedics will do much to break down barriers that exist within the medical profession, broaden our thinking and paradoxically, adopt that chiropractic technique which has been the essence of the chiropractic profession.

For reasons stated above, one is tempted to agree that chiropractic is an exclusive ritual, which is not to say that it is without value. But for the technique to mature, to become meaningful in the scheme of total body dynamics, to become “medical” within a global definition, it must become incorporated into the body of medical science.