Chiropractic vs. Insane Medical Cultist

The beginning of November, the Pacific Sun did a cover story on teen suicide. With typical allopathic (medical) wacked-out thinking, the article was touting the use of anti-depressants, while they are known to INCREASE suicide rates in teens and young adults. In the Physicians' Desk Reference, there is a "Black Box" warning to this effect. The black box is the most serious warning, beyond which a drug would be pulled from the market.

So, I wrote a letter to the editor. (See previous blog post.) Then, the following appeared in this week's Sun:
"ARE YOU SUBLUXED TO THE CHALLENGE?

Once again, Don Harte pushes his aggressive [me?] chiropractic attitude; this time about depression. Once again, another foolish practititoner believing in magic.

While I actually agree with Harte about some of the issues surrounding teen depression, he states he has "100 percent authority." Chiropractors trained in neurochemistry? Now that's funny.

This is just another of Harte's ficticious beliefs that chiropractic can solve any problem. Harte, face it, "chiropractic subluxation" [huh?] was a revelatory concept completely devoid of reality. This fundamental precept of chiropractic cannot be demonstrated by X-ray or autopsy - a fact admitted by chiropractic schools. Now Harte wants us to believe that these practitioners have the knowledge to deal with depression?

By the way, Harte, you malligned my credentials the last time you raised your hackles about my letters to the editor. I have a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from UC Davis and I teach human physiology at both the College of Marin and Dominican University. Your pseudo "doctor" title does not give you carte blanche to talk about every aspect of the nervouis system. Chiropractic is a neuromuscular scam that has no ability to diagnose and relies on the patient telling the practitioner where the pain lies. Here's a challenge for you, Harte. I'll send you patients. You will know that they are from me.Some will have pathology, some won't. The Pacific Sun can monitor the experiment. Up for the challenge, chiropractor? I doubt it."

OK... I hereby declare this "Be Kind to Unbalanced Academics Week." So, I sent this response off to the Pacific Sun today:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

12/3/10

Amazing... I write a letter to the editor in response to the Sun’s cover story on teen suicide, bringing out the well-established fact that the very anti-depressants used to treat depression are known to increase suicide in teenagers and young adults, in the hope that that knowledge may save a young life or two. Instead of simple agreement or disagreement, or some semblance of scientific/academic discourse, I am met by a crude, baseless tirade, attacking not only myself, but my entire profession. Racist-like hate is the tool of Dr. Waldman, while his goal is mindless defense of the status quo of the Pharmaceutical-Medical-Governmental Complex..

Dr. Waldman dares call Chiropractic a “neuromuscular scam.” Really? How about medical professionals, all very respectable, in their white coats, making psychiatric diagnoses with the vaguest of parameters, prescribing medications that cause the death of children? What kind of scam is that? What about the credibility of the research, and the approval process, and the very thin level of understanding of neurochemistry, upon which these dangerous psychotropic drugs are based?

So, a neurophysiology professor from a community college attacks me in the realm of real-life clinical applications? That is truly funny. Yes, Dr. Waldman, chiropractors do study neurochemistry, as well as neurophysiology and neuroanatomy. It is pathetic when a man of some education is so bereft of wisdom. It is one thing to know facts. It is quite another to have the wisdom to put them into practical context. It is yet a higher step to put those facts, and that wisdom, into a system that actually improves the lives of one’s fellow human beings. This is what Chiropractic has done. This is what at least parts of Medicine, particularly pediatrics and psychiatry, have failed at.

As to Dr. Waldman’s “challenge,” it merely underlines his total lack of understanding of Chiropractic, and his gross arrogance that Medicine is the only system to be considered. Chiropractors do not diagnose, nor do we treat disease. You want to send me patients to diagnose? (Why do you have patients, since you are not a medical doctor?) That would be like me sending you people to adjust.

Chiropractic cannot be understood, or judged, within the paradigm of Medicine. It is different. Yes, we take the same basic sciences in school. Of course, the clinical courses are different. Most importantly, the INTENT of Chiropractic is fundamentally different from that of Medicine.

So, Dr. Walman, you want a challenge? How about a public debate? Perhaps the Pacific Sun would like to sponsor that. You feel lucky today? Well, do ya, professor?

PS: Dr. Waldman took my “100% authority” quote totally out of context. Here it is, in context: “I can say with 100% authority that it is infinitely safer to entrust your child’s health to a straight chiropractor, to keep that nervous system without interference, functioning at a higher, healthier level.” Only the most deranged medical cultist would attempt to argue with that.

PPS: I admit it. I am “aggressive” with the truth.

Don Harte, D.C.

21 Tamal Vista   Ste 170

Corte Madera, CA 94925

460-6527

www.chirodrharte.com

I'd really love your comments on this. Would you like to see academic gladiatorial combat? Would you bring popcorn?

Don Harte, D.C.

Slayer of Subluxation