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Chiropractic: A philosophy for alternative health care
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Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Volume 23 • Number 6 • July/August 2000
Book Reviews
5. Thompson PD, Klocke FJ, Levine BD, et al. 26th Bethesda Conference. Recommendations for determining eligibility for competition athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities. Task force 5: coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 1994;4:845-99.
Chiropractic: A Philosophy for Alternative Health Care I.D. Coulter. London: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000. 117 pages. $39.95. In July 1999, I attended the Research and Agenda Conference (RAC) in Chicago. After attending the meeting, I read in print and on the Internet what I considered a misrepresentation of the final day’s discussion on “chiropractic philosophy.” Dr Ian Coulter provided additional questioning and useful and thought-provoking comments to the discussion led by Dr Scott Haldeman. Neither Dr Coulter nor Dr Haldeman need my defense for his probing questions or the misrepresentation of their ideas or questions, which are now clearly described in Dr Coulter’s new book, Chiropractic: A Philosophy for Alternative Health Care. After having read this textbook, which discusses the philosophy of chiropractic, I remembered those comments I felt misrepresented the RAC and I want to encourage those who may have felt angry about the comments to read this book to better understand Coulter’s concept of “chiropractic philosophy.” The book is extremely well-written, easy to follow, and enjoyable to read. When definitions are necessary for understanding, they are given. The textbook also makes it clear that “chiropractic philosophy” is a semantically incorrect way of stating what tenets or ideas a group may support and believe. In many ways, arguments about the philosophy of chiropractic may be limiting our profession. Coulter’s information about research programs was enlightening and would be useful for current research directors and college presidents for developing new and established research programs. This textbook will also make a fine source for new chiropractic
students’ introduction to the philosophy of chiropractic. The chapters include topics on the limitations of chiropractic philosophy, metaphysical matters, the philosophy of chiropractic, the clinical art of chiropractic, and the distinction between chiropractic and medicine. Whether chiropractic philosophy will remain a closely held belief system, as it is currently described, is uncertain. However, surely most chiropractors recognize that the idea of chiropractic philosophy may be exerting a significant influence on the unification and growth of our profession. We are a diverse group in our approaches to management of patient concerns, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, when 2 or more groups cannot discuss an issue because of a dogmatically held belief or inflexible approach to the issue, the groups cannot move toward resolution when evidence is uncovered or described. The issue, however important or unimportant, becomes bigger than the synergy of the group itself and can consume the group, leading to its disintegration. It is clear from Coulter’s book that chiropractic is a holistic practice of health care. It is clear to me that portions of the profession have been and are limited by its continued reliance and focus on chiropractic philosophy, much of which remains unsubstantiated. We would be better served by understanding philosophy and the proper use of terms in philosophy and thus better communicating with other professions and ourselves. This elimination of the theology (dogma) would be a step forward for us all, allowing real debate and discussion. I highly recommend this textbook and think everyone who reads it will be rewarded for their time and effort. R. Kevin Pringle, DC Instructor, Department of Diagnosis The National College of Chiropractic 200 E Roosevelt Rd Lombard, IL 60148
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Volume 23 • Number 6 • July/August 2000
Book Reviews
5. Thompson PD, Klocke FJ, Levine BD, et al. 26th Bethesda Conference. Recommendations for determining eligibility for competition athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities. Task force 5: coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 1994;4:845-99.
Chiropractic: A Philosophy for Alternative Health Care I.D. Coulter. London: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000. 117 pages. $39.95. In July 1999, I attended the Research and Agenda Conference (RAC) in Chicago. After attending the meeting, I read in print and on the Internet what I considered a misrepresentation of the final day’s discussion on “chiropractic philosophy.” Dr Ian Coulter provided additional questioning and useful and thought-provoking comments to the discussion led by Dr Scott Haldeman. Neither Dr Coulter nor Dr Haldeman need my defense for his probing questions or the misrepresentation of their ideas or questions, which are now clearly described in Dr Coulter’s new book, Chiropractic: A Philosophy for Alternative Health Care. After having read this textbook, which discusses the philosophy of chiropractic, I remembered those comments I felt misrepresented the RAC and I want to encourage those who may have felt angry about the comments to read this book to better understand Coulter’s concept of “chiropractic philosophy.” The book is extremely well-written, easy to follow, and enjoyable to read. When definitions are necessary for understanding, they are given. The textbook also makes it clear that “chiropractic philosophy” is a semantically incorrect way of stating what tenets or ideas a group may support and believe. In many ways, arguments about the philosophy of chiropractic may be limiting our profession. Coulter’s information about research programs was enlightening and would be useful for current research directors and college presidents for developing new and established research programs. This textbook will also make a fine source for new chiropractic
students’ introduction to the philosophy of chiropractic. The chapters include topics on the limitations of chiropractic philosophy, metaphysical matters, the philosophy of chiropractic, the clinical art of chiropractic, and the distinction between chiropractic and medicine. Whether chiropractic philosophy will remain a closely held belief system, as it is currently described, is uncertain. However, surely most chiropractors recognize that the idea of chiropractic philosophy may be exerting a significant influence on the unification and growth of our profession. We are a diverse group in our approaches to management of patient concerns, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, when 2 or more groups cannot discuss an issue because of a dogmatically held belief or inflexible approach to the issue, the groups cannot move toward resolution when evidence is uncovered or described. The issue, however important or unimportant, becomes bigger than the synergy of the group itself and can consume the group, leading to its disintegration. It is clear from Coulter’s book that chiropractic is a holistic practice of health care. It is clear to me that portions of the profession have been and are limited by its continued reliance and focus on chiropractic philosophy, much of which remains unsubstantiated. We would be better served by understanding philosophy and the proper use of terms in philosophy and thus better communicating with other professions and ourselves. This elimination of the theology (dogma) would be a step forward for us all, allowing real debate and discussion. I highly recommend this textbook and think everyone who reads it will be rewarded for their time and effort. R. Kevin Pringle, DC Instructor, Department of Diagnosis The National College of Chiropractic 200 E Roosevelt Rd Lombard, IL 60148