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February 14 2000

AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR JUSTICE THROUGH SCIENCE SPONSORS THIS INFOJUSTICE-BEAT THE PRESS NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION ALERT SERIES.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF CONSUMER SAFETY; A MATTER OF US HISTORY

From approximately 1979-1983 I intimately worked as a interagency link between the US FDA Central District and then California FDA (today, California Health and Human Services).  Having done several thousand investigations, eventually I became a Ghost writer and on occasion was asked to develop projects in my own name.  The following is the original consumer tip I wrote, submitted to the California Chiropractic Association, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the American Chiropractic Association lead counsel in Washington DC, William Jarvis and his team the National Council Against Health Fraud and HHS Washington DC Attorney Monico.  After complete review by the above this Consumer Awareness Project was given to the Council of Better Business Bureaus with a thank you from them.  They awarded a $10,000 advertising program for my clinic through REP Graphics, and indeed I used these ethical advertisements for many years.  I was also, then made, the advisor to the President of the Los Angeles Office.  I never continued my involvement as these types of awards go beyond my interests and areas of expertise. My Ghost written 1984 Consumer Protection Tip Follows:

INTRODUCTION

Chiropractic is the art and science of adjusting the spine and other articulating joints of  the  body to restore and maintain natural structure and function.

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all fifty states and several foreign countries.   The American Chiropractic Association reports that eight and a half (8 1/2) million patients made nearly ninety (90) million office visits during 1977 and utilization has been growing at an annual rate of five to six percent(5-6)% since 1963-64.  Today's sophisticated doctors of chiropractic share the view of health and disease held by scientists world wide, and restrict their practice to diagnosis and conservative treatments of neuromusculoskeletal conditions.  When a medical condition exists, a chiropractic patient is immediately referred to a medical practitioner.¹

It is estimated that seventy to eighty percent (70-80%) of people will suffer back pain at sometime in their lives.²  Studies indicate that one-third of these patients will find more rapid relief by having safe, conservative manipulative therapy.³

A six-state (6) study of workers' compensation records provides objective evidence on the efficacy of modern chiropractic care in the treatment of conservative industrial injuries.  This study compares treatment by a doctor of chiropractic and medical doctor, and dramatically demonstrates that patients under chiropractic care showed (1) reduced treatment costs; (2) reduced compensation costs; (3) reduced work-time losses, (4) and reduced workers' disabilities and suffering.⁴

CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES:

Chiropractic colleges require not less than four (4) academic years of professional resident study (not less than 4,200 hours), which includes clinical experience under strict supervision.  During the first two years, the chiropractic student is educated in anatomy, biochemistry, neuro-biology, pathology, physiology, public health diagnosis, differential diagnosis and x-ray, the clinical disciplines, related health sciences, chiropractic physical therapy, chiropractic manipulative medicine, and chiropractic principles and practice.  The remaining two (2) years are devoted to practical and advanced clinical studies dealing with diagnosis and treatment of diseases, with approximately half the time expected in the clinic.

In the mid 1970's, four chiropractic colleges had become fully accredited with the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), and autonomous corporation sponsored by the American Chiropractic Association.  The colleges are as follows:  The Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, National College of Chiropractic, Northwestern College of Chiropractic, and Texas College of Chiropractic.

The CCE, with its commission on accreditation, is recognized by the Commissioner of Education for the United States Office of Education, Department of Health, and Housing, as the distinguished authority on the quality of education and training offered by accredited chiropractic colleges.

The requirements for Recognized Candidates for Accreditation (RCA) status states that an institution is n compliance with the basic eligibility requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of The Council on Chiropractic Education.  RCA status is not accreditation, nor does it assure eventual accreditation.⁵

Since 1983, other schools have joined the modern scientific methodologies CCE approach.   These are as follows:  New York Chiropractic College, Palmer, Logan,, Western States, and Cleveland Chiropractic College, Mississippi.  RCA status is held by the following; Cleveland Chiropractic College-Los Angeles, Life, Palmer- Sunny Vale, Pasadena Chiropractic College, Canadian Memorial, and Life West Chiropractic College.⁶

When choosing a chiropractor, you, the consumer, would be best served with an accredited doctor of chiropractic thus, ask from what educational institution did he/she graduate.

PHYSICAL THERAPY:

Chiropractic physical therapy is an important adjunct in the doctor's armamentarium.   Generally, physical therapy is applied prior to manipulation.  Goals reached are as follows.⁷

1. Antispasmodic effect
2. Analgesic effect
3. Hyperemia
4. Anti-inflammatory effects at nerve root level
5. Relaxation
6. Remove edema and toxic metabolites

Modalities are as follows:

1. Sinusoidal surge and pulse (1) (6) (5)
2. Ultrasound (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
3. G-5 (1) (5) (6)
4. Dynowave or other high voltage galvanic modalities (1) (2) (5) (6)
5. Interferential (7)

NUTRITION:

The subject of nutrition is an essential portion of the curriculum of accredited chiropractic colleges.

Essentially, all natural foods contain the micronutrients for body metabolism.   However, oftentimes they do not contain their original quantity and spectrum of vitamins when they reach the table.  Caloric values, and the quantity and quality of protein, carbohydrates, and fat are relatively unchanged; however, at least six (6) vitamins can be lost or partly destroyed by steaming, frying, roasting, baking, freezing, drying, storage, irradiation.  Deficiency in vitamins and elements necessary for metabolism are sometimes lost due to industrialized food processing.  Numerous trace elements, which were once bountiful in America's soil and necessary for optimum health and resistance, have been grossly depleted through the use of commercial fertilizers.   Thus dietary supplementation is the debt we must pay for world-wide distribution of purified, stored, and processed foods.  Without supplementation, we run the risk of unbalancing the micronutrients in our diet and body metabolism.⁸  Warning:  The above does not suggest that anyone needs massive or large doses of vitamins or minerals.   Remember, you are supplementing only a slight loss.  Graduates of the Donsbach School of Nutrition (Ph.D Program for DC's as continuing education to the four year chiropractic education on nutrition) definition of a vitamin is "a food source needed by the body in a small quantity".⁹

RESEARCH:

None of the healing professions, separately or in combination, has all the answers to all the problems of health and disease.  Thus, research is essential to find the illusive solutions and procedures which will aid mankind.

Generally the chiropractic researchers, who are also doctors of chiropractic, are the finest chiropractors' the world has seen date.  From these chiropractors, the information eventually disseminates to the rest of the profession.  It is believed today that approximately fifty percent (50%) or more of the chiropractors' patients have disorders explained by recent research (Somato-neuro-muscular-Viscero-neuro-muscular and Physio-somato-neuro-somatic system and its corollaries).¹⁰  (Recent Chiropractic Research).

MOTION PALPATION AND THE GLOBAL SUSTAINED ROTATIONAL TEST:

All scientific chiropractors utilize some form of motion palpation to locate areas of the spine or spinal joints which are locked during motion.  This procedure is used prior to manipulative therapy.  Further, no person is a candidate for therapeutic cervical manipulation without first passing the Global Sustained Rotational Test and motion palpation.  If the patient fails these special chiropractic tests, he/she must immediately be referred for medical consultation (failure indicates intervertebral artery compromise).^{11, 12}.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

The dedicated doctors belong to professional organizations.  Ask whether the doctor is a member of the American Chiropractic Association or its state chapters, i.e., California or Minnesota Chiropractic Association.  Does the doctor belong to the local society, i.e. Los Angeles County Chiropractic Society or Los Angeles South West Society.  Is your chiropractor a member of the American Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, American Academy for Justice Through Science etc.

FELLOWSHIP:

Is your doctor a fellow of any chiropractic/medical associates; i.e., the doctor may be a founding fellow of the American Back Society.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

Because of the rapidly advancing scientific and technological progress, which is vital to any health profession, the chiropractic profession has initialed continuing education as a yearly requirement for re-licensing in most states.  The finest chiropractors have completed a sophisticated four to five year course in evaluation of industrial injuries.  Certification as a Disability Evaluator is granted upon completion of testing and passing written medical narrative reports criteria.  These doctors have advanced training in understanding your disability and relating it to medical doctors, insurance companies, lawyers, and judges.

The pinnacle of educational knowledge in the medical/chiropractic disability evaluating areas is reserved for Certified Fraud Examiners  Doctors of chiropractic who have served as Agreed Medical Examiners and are Certified Fraud Examiners are the finest diagnosticians as well as chiropractic physicians.  Chiropractic Orthopedics is the oldest discipline and best informed within the Chiropractic Profession.

Each accredited chiropractic college maintains an average post-graduate (continuing) education division.  The objective is to provide post-graduate education to further the doctors' abilities to care for the public.  Such courses eventually lead to certification in diplomat status with the ACA Council on Orthopedics and the council in Roentgenology.  ACA Councils on Internal Disorders, Chiropractic Diagnosis, Neurology, and Sports Injuries offer periodic post-graduate educational programs to enhance the practitioners continuing education.¹³

Nationally chiropractic is divided (1984) into approximately 10% small interest groups and the general 90% population.  When picking your doctor of chiropractic, it is best to avoid small interest groups.  You should follow the provided check list when selecting your doctor of chiropractic. 

Small interest chiropractic groups offer course in nonscientific, eccentric systems of diagnosis and treatments.  Avoid these doctors.  A list of the following is a list complete by the National Council Against Health Fraud.

A scientific chiropractor will not utilize pseudoscientific questionable, dis-proven or unproven (except on experimental basis, the doctor will inform the patient he/she is involved with a controlled experimental study, and the patient will wave any undesirable effects), methods and products such as the following:¹⁴

• Applied Kinesiology in lieu of Kinesiology
• Colonic irrigation
• Orthomolecular therapy massive dose of vitamins)
• Cytotoxic food allergic testing
• Cranial Osteopathy
• Iridology
• Reflexology, hand, foot, or otherwise
• Hair analysis for disease controlled via nutrition
• Clinical Herbology in lieu of medicine for disease
• Clinical ecology
• Gerovital H3
• Chelation therapy for coronary artery disease
• Unscientific applications of acupuncture
• Unproven devices for diagnosis or treatment
• Divination use of pendulums i.e. "witching'
• Candle Therapy
• Magnet Therapy
• Unscientific glandular treatments
• Sclerolgy or schleraglyphics
• DMSO
• Homeopathic remedies in lieu of medicine for disease
• Reams testing
• Pyramid Power
• Toftness

CHOOSING YOUR EXPERT DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC AND AVOID SMALL INTEREST DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC.

When choosing your doctor of chiropractic you might ask the following:

1. Did your doctor of chiropractic graduate from a Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) accredited chiropractic college?
2. Does your doctor of chiropractic employ chiropractic physical therapy to aid you?
3. Does your doctor of chiropractic understand nutritional considerations, and recommend conservative vitamin and mineral levels? Does he/she have Post Graduate Ph.D in Nutrition?
4. Is your doctor of chiropractic an excepted researcher; as he/she done any research?
5. Does your doctor of chiropractic use motion palpation?
6. Does your doctor of chiropractic us the Global Sustained Rotational Test?  Warning:   This test must be used during the initial examination prior to cervical manipulation prescription.
7. Does your doctor of chiropractic belong to a professional organization?  Which/What organization?
8. Does your doctor of chiropractic have any fellowship?
9. Does your doctor of chiropractic attend continuing educational courses?
10. Does your doctor of chiropractic have any of the following credentials, or similarly accredited ones?  a.  Orthopedic Chiropractor b.  Certified Disability Evaluator. c.  Certified Independent Medical Examiner\Agreed Medical Examiner. d.   Certified Fraud Examiner
11. Does your doctor of chiropractic believe in small interest groups, or employ techniques which have never passed double blind studies or other scientific criteria (see enclosed list)?

AVOID THE DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC WHO:

1. Makes nonscientific claims about disease cures, either orally or in advertising.   Any doctor from any discipline who implies in promise guaranteed results form treatment should be held suspect.
2. Ask you to sign a contract for services.  A written contract is not customary.
3. Advertises free X-rays.  Radiation should not be used as a lure.
4. Disparages other professions such as medicine or osteopathy.
5. Charge advance payment.
6. Use scare tactics, such as threats of death or cancer if treatments not begun promptly.
7. Employ practice building techniques which generates a volume-practice but results in poor individual treatment results.

REFERENCES

1. Chiropractic Health Care, 2nd edition.  The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, 1977.
2. Position paper on Chiropractic -National Council Against Heath Fraud.
3. Ibid.
4. Chiropractic Health Care, 2nd Edition.  The Foundation of Chiropractic Education and Research, `1977
5. Ibid.
6. Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Admissions Office, 1984.
7. Los Angeles College, Lecture notes Chiropractic Physical Therapy I & II
8. a.)  Chiropractic Health Care, p. 55  b.)  Griffin, Ph.D Karselis, M.S., Physical Agents for Physical Therapists, 1979.  c.) Functional Electrical Stimulation, 2nd edition Rancho Los Amigos Rehab Engineering Center Rancho Los Amigos Hospital
9. Los Angeles College Chiropractic, Lecture Notes, Biochemistry/ Donsbach School of Nutrition Thesis for Ph.D.
10. Neff, DC., The Strain of Athleticism, ACA-Journal Chiropractic 1980, vol. 18 #5
11. Los Angeles College Chiropractic Lecture notes in Motion Palpation, 1978.
12. .  Neff, DC IME FFABS.,  Cervical Manipulation; The Death Threat Connection, MPI 1984
13. Chiropractic Health Care, 2nd Edition The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, 1977.
14. Neff, DC, FFABS, Jarvis Ph.D, Constitution of a Scientific Chiropractor, A Scientific DC will, will not; California Council Against Health Fraud, MPI 1984.

Happy Valentines Day 2,000-USA

 “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”John, viii, 32

Dr Scott Neff-1984