From the Preface
Chiropractic, which celebrated its centennial in 1995, is a curious mixture of science and pseudoscience, sense and nonsense. Much of it is based on the theory that misaligned spinal bones produce nerve interference that causes disease. Many chiropractors claim that correcting these misalignments are essential to maintain it.
Neither logic nor scientific evidence supports such a belief. Although spinal manipulation can relieve certain types of back pain, nack pain and other musculoskeletal symptoms, there is no scientific evidence that it can restore or maintain general health.
This book denounces the cultism in chiropractic but supports the appropriate use of spinal manipulation and the research efforts required to solidify its scientific basis. If you are contemplating or receiving chiropractic care, Inside Chiropractic might help you protect both your pocketbook and your health.
Inside Chiropractic: A Patient's Guide is a behind-the-scenes look at chiropractic written by a forty-three-year veteran in the field. Samuel Homola, D.C., takes a frank and objective look at chiropractic and concludes that its fundamental theory - that "subluxations", or the adjustment of misaligned spinal bones, will restore and maintain health - is false.
Combining personal experience and a comprehensive review of the literature, Dr. Homola demonstrates that chiropractors should be limited to the care of musculoskeletal problems of mechanical origin. He also maintains that while appropriate use of spinal manipulation can be helpful in treating some types of back and neck trouble, many chiropractors keep patients coming back for unnecessary treatment.
After providing a brief history of chiropractic, Homola probes deep into the theories and methods of its practitioners. His discussion of chiropractic education shows clearly that chiropractors, despite assertions to the contrary, do not qualify as primary-care physicians. Using examples from today's marketplace, he separates sense from nonsense in chiropractic patient-education materials. He provides self-examination tips and other special instructions to help consumers with back pain decide if and when to see a chiropractor. His analyses of questionable techniques used to attract and treat patients can help the reader avoid procedures that are ineffective or even harmful.
Inside Chiropractic makes an important and unique contribution to the literature on chiropractic. Until chiropractic is properly specialised and regulated, consumers will have to learn how to make an informed choice in finding a good practitioner. This book is a must for readers who are considering chiropractic care and a valuable reference for physicians and healthcare professionals who want to know what chiropractic is all about.
Samuel Homola, D.C., a practising chiropractor for over forty years, is the author of eleven medical books including Backache: Home Treatment and Prevention and Muscle Training for Athletes, and has written for Consumers Digest, Scholastic Coach, Chiropractic Technique, Chiropractic History and Archives of Family Medicine. Long known as a chiropractic heretic because of his controversial views in Bonesetting, Chiropractic and Cultism, Dr. Homola has dedicated himself to defining the proper limits on chiropractic and to educating consumers and professionals about the field.