Chiropractic: Recognized but Unproved

Abstract

Ever since 1895, when D. D. Palmer, erstwhile "magnetic healer" and founder of the chiropractic movement, claimed to have restored a deaf janitor's hearing by manipulation of his spine, organized medicine has considered chiropractic a form of quackery and has campaigned against its acceptance. But the chiropractors have survived this opposition and now appear to have won their political struggle for recognition. Despite the fact that there is no rational basis for their theories and no objective evidence to support their sweeping claims,¹ they have managed to become licensed in every state. Furthermore, their services are now reimbursable through Medicare, . . .