Does Chiropractic Really Work? Don’t Knock It Till You Try It!

During a recent encounter with a very sick lady who’d tried everything to resolve some serious health issues, I gently suggested that she see a chiropractor and even recommended one in particular, Dr. Lowell Keppel, because I knew he was in her area. I explained that Dr. Keppel, as a Standard Process mentor, teaches his techniques to other chiropractors. His methods have resulted in many positive outcomes, and I told her that she could truly trust him.

The moment she heard the word “chiropractor,” she began to spout off some negative comments. She told me she wouldn’t go to one of those quacks if she was on her deathbed and spoke of all the people they’d hurt over the years by twisting their spines out of shape—and on and on!! It was a very unpleasant experience, but I had the presence of mind not to respond in kind. I simply told myself that arguing with her was a waste of my time. Instead, I merely told her that “a person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still!”

This happened about a month ago. Since then, I’ve encountered a few other people of the same opinion. I simply couldn’t help but ask what, if anything, I could do to educate these skeptics about a mode of healing that’s given people all over the world such tremendous results.

I researched the subject and found hundreds of articles proving how maligned chiropractors have become based on myths and misguided beliefs. Below is just one such article I think everyone should consider reading. The following excerpt from “The Safety of Chiropractic” (Chiro.org) talks about how the media feeds on controversy and offers a short review of how the American Medical Association tried to eliminate chiropractic as a profession:

“Millions of patients love their chiropractor and appreciate our unique and safe approach to recovery from pain. Significant research suggests that chiropractic is the safest approach available for relief from neck pain, back pain, headaches and other “musculoskeletal” complaints. Let’s review that research and discuss how Organized Medicine has contributed to the myth that chiropractic care is dangerous…

“In the early 1960s, the American Medical Association (AMA) decided to try to contain and eliminate Chiropractic as a profession…The AMA’s purpose was to prevent medical physicians from referring patients to Chiropractors, as well as preventing them from accepting referrals from Chiropractors; to prevent Chiropractors from obtaining access to hospital diagnostic and radiology services; to prevent medical physicians from teaching at chiropractic colleges, or engaging in any joint research; and, to stifle any other form of cooperation between the two professions. The AMA also told its membership, medical students, insurance companies, and the general public that Chiropractic was an “unscientific cult.”

“In 1976, five Chiropractors filed a lawsuit against the AMA and 20 other medical specialty organizations as co-conspirators for violation of the Sherman Antitrust laws. After 15 years of litigation, the U.S. Court of Appeals stated that the AMA intended to ‘destroy a competitor,’ and that there was evidence ‘showing that the AMA was motivated by economic concerns.’ The court found that the AMA had concealed evidence showing it’s guilt and was caught ‘doctoring’ documents. The AMA was also ‘guilty of systematic, long-term wrong doing and has not acknowledged its lawlessness.’”

A Publication You Won’t Want to Miss

In a recent visit to my own chiropractor, Dr. Joe Givan, DC (based in Colorado Springs, CO), I found a wondeful resource titled Chiropractic: Bringing Out the Best in You! This publication offers many wonderful articles, but one special piece, “Origin of Modern Chiropractic,” almost made me cry. This article relates the fascinating story of how a man named Harvey Lillard (1856–1925) lost his hearing after working in a cramped position.

When Lillard consulted with the founder of chiropractic himself, Dr. D.D. Palmer (1847–1913), the doctor “Put him face down on a bench in his study, put his hands over the misaligned vertebra, and carefully thrust along the man’s spine. Lillard got up, walked to the open window, and turned to Palmer with a smile. After 17 years he could hear again.”

I smiled as I read this. As I turned page after page, I discovered nice illustrations on every part of the spine, and I learned how the spine relates to many issues of the back, head, neck, as well as other physical issues. You can purchase this publication in bulk—and what a nice gift it would be to the skeptics in your circle of family and friends.

 Chiropractic for Babies, Growing Children, and Teens

One of the most proficient chiropractors I’ve met and recommended is Dr. Bonnie May. Not only is she truly dedicated to her practice, but she also carries Standard Process whole food supplements and has a working knowledge of the food philosophy of Sally Fallon Morrell and the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Over the years, Dr. May has perfected the fine art of working with adults as well as babies, children, and teenagers. Combined with her background, this makes her a perfect fit for many parents who want to provide their children with a holistic health care provider who can supply necessary whole food supplements, offer advice on profoundly healthy, traditional, nutrient dense foods, help children develop a love of raw milk—and even improve the chances of conceiving.

 Dr. May on Newborns, Babies, and Small Children

[Ed. note: The following has been lightly edited for clarity.]

One of the first little boys (age three) who came in to the office with his mother suffered from constipation. The medical profession had nothing to offer and had already done some pretty invasive testing. Upon exam, I found his lower lumbar vertebra out of alignment, and I gently adjusted him. He responded immediately, and his mom was so happy and grateful.

Then many mothers started bringing in their newborns who wouldn’t sleep and cried constantly. After adjusting the babies and seeing results so favorably and quickly, it soon became very evident that babies get out of alignment too. First from difficulty in the childbirth process, and then as they learned to walk. They would fall a lot and needed treatments to adjust misplaced vertebra. One day a father came to the office with his two-year-old little girl who was suffering from an earache. I adjusted her upper cervical vertebra, and the pain went away immediately.

 Some newborns couldn’t turn their heads both left and right, but with a very gentle adjustment they could then nurse on both of the mother’s breasts. The joy that comes to the parents is immeasurable. Once a mom brought in her little nine-month-old daughter who wouldn’t sleep or nurse since she bumped her head. I adjusted the first vertebra in her neck as she sat on her mom’s lap, and later that day the mom called to thank me. Her daughter was sleeping and had nursed immediately when they returned home.

Dr. May Discusses Teenagers

And then you have the teenagers. They have lots of homework and look down with their necks bent, straining their spine everyday. Typically, they eat foods they shouldn’t. They don’t realize how important posture is, or maybe they’re active in sports and as a result have many insults to their neck or backs. Even carrying heavy backpacks becomes an issue. When they get chiropractic care, they feel better, sleep better, think more clearly, and perform at a higher lever of potential. Regular chiropractic even improves the immune system.

Parting Words from Dr. May

We all want our kids to be as healthy as possible, and keeping their nervous system working properly ensures better health in every way.

Patients and Parents Lectures

Dr. May offers lectures for adult clients, children and teens. See her information below:
Dr. Bonnie May, May Chiropractic PD
108 E. Cheyenne Road, Suite 105
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
bmaydc@hotmail.com

Lectures are held Monday nights at 6 p.m. and Fridays at noon. Participants must sign up prior to the lecture. Parents can bring in younger siblings. A children’s room is provided with an occasional secretary to help.

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Afterthoughts from the Traditional Cook

In closing, I hope that I’ve shed some light on the fact that even long-standing issues, such as my own severe sciatica that Dr. Givan has been able to resolve after years of looking to therapists and exercises that did nothing to correct the severely misaligned spinal and pelvic area and which were so out of whack that for the most part I truly thought that I would become a cripple, can be helped with a chiropractor.

Interesting enough, these fine chiropractors also work with anxiety and other nervous issues while testing with kinesiology to be sure that you have the supplements your body truly needs and not just something you’ve read about in an article or have seen online. I would encourage you to find a local chiropractor at the Standard Process health care provider search.

Maria Atwood, CNHP
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Note from Maria: I am a Certified Natural Health Professional, CNHP, not a medical doctor. I do not diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or claim to prevent, mitigate, or cure any human diseases. Please see your medical doctor prior to following any recommendations I make in my blogs or on my website.

Images from iStock/Jovanmandic (main image), champja (woman holding her neck), ChesiireCat (woman on computer), naumoid (baby).