Misophist, I think a wise chiropractor would take the best of all three theories, and would always be open to new perspectives. There is usually more than one way to treat almost anything, and only the very foolish close themselves off to the alternatives. A wise chiropractor also knows when to refer a patient to a medical doctor. In fact, a good chiropractor or other alternative therapist can often be the best place to go for a referral to a good medical doctor.

In the late 1970's, I had surgery for a herniated spinal disc (and it worked quite well). My surgeon wanted me to understand what he was doing, so he lent me a textbook on orthopedics and encouraged me to read the chapters that dealt with my condition. I was surprised to see this medical textbook state that spinal manipulation is often an effective and non-invasive treatment for this condition - but that unfortunately, most medical doctors no longer perform spinal manipulation.

As in all of life, I think it's important that we choose the solution that works best and causes the least harm, and keep ideology at arm's length.

-Joe Offer-