Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 11/1/2006

Question
I have been told to see a chiropractor by my family doctor for neck pain issues, and he recommended a biophysics or rehab specilist, are straight chiros capable of rehabing the neck?  Thank you

Answer
Jeff,

I'm sorry that you found my response unsatisfactory. Perhaps I didn't understand the precise nature of your question as it was stated.

To clarify my prior response, I think that critics of certain proprietary chiropractic techniques who express concerns about the amount of ionizing radiation to which patients are exposed through routine x-rays have a valid point.

The authors of one such study (all of whom are Doctors of Chiropractic who hold faculty appointments at accredited chiropractic colleges, two of whom are also Diplomates of the American Board of Chiropractic Radiology) present their argument to that effect in this paper:

Bussières AE, Ammendolia C, Peterson C, Taylor JAM. Ionizing radiation exposure – more good than harm? The preponderance of evidence does not support abandoning current standards and regulations. J Can Chiropr Assn. 2006;50(2):103-7.

The full text of this paper is available for free in PDF from the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association at: http://tinyurl.com/srt4o

Others (again, all chiropractors, and all faculty members of accredited chiropractic colleges) question the clinical relevance and validity of the research data generated by CBP proponents:

Cooperstein R, Perle SM, Gleberzon BJ, Peterson DH. Flawed trials, flawed analysis: why CBP should avoid rating itself. J Can Chiropr Assn. 2006;50(2):97-102.

The full text of this paper is available for free in PDF from the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association at: http://tinyurl.com/ptka2

I trust that this, coupled with the advice you have cited from your medical doctor, will assist you in making an informed decision about the type of practitioner you may wish to consult for your neck pain.