In defense of chiropractors

Re “Spineless,” editorial, March 30

My son, a chiropractor in the Bay Area, feels strongly that the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners must be above reproach. It took him six years to become a chiropractor: two years of post-baccalaureate classes in science (all pre-med) and four years in chiropractic school learning his craft. Chiropractors are given little respect in many quarters despite the large number of people they relieve from pain.

In recent years, insurance companies have slashed their fees and drastically limited the number of chiropractic visits allowed per plan. Because of the high cost of maintaining a practice and the low reimbursement schedules, many excellent chiropractors have shut their doors in the last few years. I agree with The Times that the function of the state board is to regulate the chiropractic profession, and I hope that it will also represent the true value of this profession for the public good.

TERI REDMAN

Brentwood

*

As a doctor of chiropractic, I strongly support the mission of the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners, which is to protect the public. The chiropractic profession fully understands that we are stronger if the state board does its job well: enforcing high standards and weeding out the bad actors. Your reference to the “capture” of the board by those it regulates is wrong.

Chiropractic has a lot to offer patients, especially those who seek an all-natural healing method that does not rely on the use of prescription drugs or invasive surgeries. It is a century-old discipline, proven in practice as well as in independent research. Nothing you have said or that the state board has done changes the reality that well-trained, licensed doctors of chiropractic are providing high-quality care to patients every day, helping them lead healthier, pain-free lives.

MICHAEL SACKETT

Murrieta, Calif.

*

It is not clear to the average person that what is going on at the state board does not affect the quality of care they are receiving from their own doctor. For the record, nothing that has taken place at the chiropractic board changes the fact that doctors of chiropractic will continue to treat their patients with the same high level of care and effectiveness for which they have been known for decades.

DENNIS BUCKLEY

Past president, California Chiropractic Assn.

Pasadena