Chiropractic Care

Member doctors of the California Chiropractic Assn. noted with interest the article “Leave Options Open for Alternative Medicine” (Platform, Commentary, Jan. 24). The comment, written by Elizabeth Metzger Armstrong and David Armstrong, addressed Gov. Pete Wilson’s budget proposal to cut so-called optional Medi-Cal services, such as chiropractic and acupuncture. The duo are authors of “The Great American Medicine Show,” which documents American medical history.

Doctors of chiropractic agree with the obvious statement “that acupuncture and chiropractic are not scams but promising treatments of choice.” It’s troubling that this needs affirming. The appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care are documented in numerous studies.

The Western Journal of Medicine, which is published by the California Medical Assn., states low back pain patients of medical doctors average 39.7 days of restriction from normal activities during the eight-month study period, while chiropractic patients experienced an average of only 10.8 days.

The British Medical Journal reported the results of a two-year study conducted by the Medical Research Council of Britain. The results determined that chiropractic treatment is more effective than hospital outpatient management, mainly for patients with chronic or severe back pain.

Thank you for keeping this important issue before health care consumers.

WILLARD B. SMITH, DC

President, CCA

Sacramento