The following is a continuation of part 2.
A third severe problem with Chiropractor Fox’s
practice is that his chiropractic philosophy is occult and unscientific. While there are chiropractors who have
rejected the occult and unscientific ideas of the founder of chiropractic, D.
D. Palmer, and have embraced the (Biblical) scientific method for evaluating
facts—namely, those chiropractors associated with the National Association of
Chiropractic Medicine,[i]
which sought a merger in 1994 with the Orthopractic Manipulation Society,
Chiropractor Fox is not one of these scientifically practicing men. The (unfortunately, small minority) of
chiropractors who have rejected New Age philosophy and similar mystical
concepts for science do not make wild and unsubstantiated claims that they can
cure just about everything through spinal manipulation, but limit themselves to
what can indeed be factually demonstrated and have nothing to do with pagan chi
energy and such occultisms, namely, that spinal manipulation can bring
temporary relief for back pain.
Such chiropractors, which one might view as a related medical service to
a physical therapist, are to be commended, and a Christian who has lower back
pain and who wishes to go to one such chiropractor has nothing in Scripture or
science that would properly prevent him from doing so. Unfortunately, Chiropractor Fox is one
of the large majority of unreformed chiropractors who have not rejected
pseudoscience, but continue to employ methods built upon the philosophy of the
founder of chiropractic, D. D. Palmer—who was quoted in a large framed picture
prominently displayed in Fox’s office.
practice is that his chiropractic philosophy is occult and unscientific. While there are chiropractors who have
rejected the occult and unscientific ideas of the founder of chiropractic, D.
D. Palmer, and have embraced the (Biblical) scientific method for evaluating
facts—namely, those chiropractors associated with the National Association of
Chiropractic Medicine,[i]
which sought a merger in 1994 with the Orthopractic Manipulation Society,
Chiropractor Fox is not one of these scientifically practicing men. The (unfortunately, small minority) of
chiropractors who have rejected New Age philosophy and similar mystical
concepts for science do not make wild and unsubstantiated claims that they can
cure just about everything through spinal manipulation, but limit themselves to
what can indeed be factually demonstrated and have nothing to do with pagan chi
energy and such occultisms, namely, that spinal manipulation can bring
temporary relief for back pain.
Such chiropractors, which one might view as a related medical service to
a physical therapist, are to be commended, and a Christian who has lower back
pain and who wishes to go to one such chiropractor has nothing in Scripture or
science that would properly prevent him from doing so. Unfortunately, Chiropractor Fox is one
of the large majority of unreformed chiropractors who have not rejected
pseudoscience, but continue to employ methods built upon the philosophy of the
founder of chiropractic, D. D. Palmer—who was quoted in a large framed picture
prominently displayed in Fox’s office.
Daniel. D. Palmer confessed that practices like
his were not new but were associated with ancient pagan religion and cults, as
well as various occultic societies of his own day. Before his invention of modern chiropractic, he had been a
psychic healer for over nine years, had studied spiritism, developed his
chiropractic principles from the occultic ideas of mystical body energies (chi,
etc.) taught by these pagan philosophies, and even transmitted his psychic
powers to his son, B. J. Palmer.
D. D. Palmer claimed that chiropractic manipulated a divine life force
(cf. Genesis 3:5, “ye shall be as gods,” said the devil) within all people called
the “Innate,” which flowed from the brain through the nerves to the organs of
the body, and which was also the source of all manifestations of occult and
psychic power. B. J. Palmer stated
that the Innate, a personal, divine guide, was the true founder of
chiropractic. D. D. Palmer said
that he received the idea of “replacing displaced vertebrae for the relief of
human ills” in a séance through communication with the spirit of Dr. Jim
Atkinson, a doctor who had died some 50 years earlier.[ii] Chiropractic, said both Palmers, cannot
be practiced apart from a personal working relationship with the Innate, and
this spirit guide will assist the chiropractor with his diagnosis.[iii] The occult dangers of unreformed
chiropractic (referred to below simply as “chiropractic” for the sake of
simplicity), that is, chiropractic techniques employed by those not associated
with the National Association of Chiropractic Medicine, is frighteningly clear.
his were not new but were associated with ancient pagan religion and cults, as
well as various occultic societies of his own day. Before his invention of modern chiropractic, he had been a
psychic healer for over nine years, had studied spiritism, developed his
chiropractic principles from the occultic ideas of mystical body energies (chi,
etc.) taught by these pagan philosophies, and even transmitted his psychic
powers to his son, B. J. Palmer.
D. D. Palmer claimed that chiropractic manipulated a divine life force
(cf. Genesis 3:5, “ye shall be as gods,” said the devil) within all people called
the “Innate,” which flowed from the brain through the nerves to the organs of
the body, and which was also the source of all manifestations of occult and
psychic power. B. J. Palmer stated
that the Innate, a personal, divine guide, was the true founder of
chiropractic. D. D. Palmer said
that he received the idea of “replacing displaced vertebrae for the relief of
human ills” in a séance through communication with the spirit of Dr. Jim
Atkinson, a doctor who had died some 50 years earlier.[ii] Chiropractic, said both Palmers, cannot
be practiced apart from a personal working relationship with the Innate, and
this spirit guide will assist the chiropractor with his diagnosis.[iii] The occult dangers of unreformed
chiropractic (referred to below simply as “chiropractic” for the sake of
simplicity), that is, chiropractic techniques employed by those not associated
with the National Association of Chiropractic Medicine, is frighteningly clear.
D. D. Palmer claimed to have restored the
hearing of a deaf man, Harvey Lillard, by manipulating his spine, and this, he
alleged, was involved in his promoting his chiropractic ideas to the
world. The story of this healing
is spread widely among those in favor of chiropractic to this day. However, the daughter of the man
allegedly restored to hearing by Palmer, Valdeenia Lillard Simons, claimed that
this restoration of hearing through chiropractic spinal manipulation did not
happen.[iv] Far more important than the disputable
testimony of various people about what happened in the life of the nineteenth
century janitor, Mr. Lillard, is the fact that it is impossible for spinal
manipulation to have anything to do with restoring one’s hearing, since all of
the nerves that are associated with hearing are within the head itself, and so
hearing has nothing to do with the nerves in the spinal cord. Thus, this foundational story of the
alleged healing of Mr. Lillard by D. D. Palmer through spinal manipulation is
impossible.
hearing of a deaf man, Harvey Lillard, by manipulating his spine, and this, he
alleged, was involved in his promoting his chiropractic ideas to the
world. The story of this healing
is spread widely among those in favor of chiropractic to this day. However, the daughter of the man
allegedly restored to hearing by Palmer, Valdeenia Lillard Simons, claimed that
this restoration of hearing through chiropractic spinal manipulation did not
happen.[iv] Far more important than the disputable
testimony of various people about what happened in the life of the nineteenth
century janitor, Mr. Lillard, is the fact that it is impossible for spinal
manipulation to have anything to do with restoring one’s hearing, since all of
the nerves that are associated with hearing are within the head itself, and so
hearing has nothing to do with the nerves in the spinal cord. Thus, this foundational story of the
alleged healing of Mr. Lillard by D. D. Palmer through spinal manipulation is
impossible.
The explanation for chiropractic techniques
given by Chiropractor Fox is representative of attempts at a scientific-sounding
explanation for the flow of chi and “Innate” developed by D. D. Palmer and
intimately connected with chiropractic methodology. Fox, during our visit, asserted that the brain sends
electrical signals to the organs of the body through the spinal cord, and that
spinal vertebrae can impinge the spinal nerves, something chiropractors
generally call a “subluxation.”
When the nerves are impinged by the spinal vertebrae, electricity does
not flow to the organs through the spine as it ought to, and one thus gets
sick. Manipulating the spine to
eliminate places where the bones of the spine are crushing or pressing on the
nerves will then allegedly eliminate the reduced flow of electricity, and thus
restore health to the organs. The
problems with this alleged scientific explanation for chiropractic claims to
cure or assist in the elimination of disease are severe.
given by Chiropractor Fox is representative of attempts at a scientific-sounding
explanation for the flow of chi and “Innate” developed by D. D. Palmer and
intimately connected with chiropractic methodology. Fox, during our visit, asserted that the brain sends
electrical signals to the organs of the body through the spinal cord, and that
spinal vertebrae can impinge the spinal nerves, something chiropractors
generally call a “subluxation.”
When the nerves are impinged by the spinal vertebrae, electricity does
not flow to the organs through the spine as it ought to, and one thus gets
sick. Manipulating the spine to
eliminate places where the bones of the spine are crushing or pressing on the
nerves will then allegedly eliminate the reduced flow of electricity, and thus
restore health to the organs. The
problems with this alleged scientific explanation for chiropractic claims to
cure or assist in the elimination of disease are severe.
First, the health of one’s organs is not
related to the flow of electrical impulses through the spine. Someone who snaps his spine by, say,
diving into a very shallow pool of water, and thus become paralyzed from the
neck down, does not suffer severe organ malfunction from the entire area below
where his spinal cord has snapped.
His heart, intestines, liver, and other organs continue to function
normally, and he is able to live for many years in his condition. The snapping of the spine prevents his
brain from transmitting electrical impulses to his voluntary muscles, so that
he is unable to move these muscles as he wishes—doubtless a very significant
and sad problem—but that is just about it. If traditional chiropractic theory was true, all those who
are thus paralyzed should quickly die as their organs stop functioning, since
electrical impulses from the spinal cord have ceased entirely. This simply does not happen.
related to the flow of electrical impulses through the spine. Someone who snaps his spine by, say,
diving into a very shallow pool of water, and thus become paralyzed from the
neck down, does not suffer severe organ malfunction from the entire area below
where his spinal cord has snapped.
His heart, intestines, liver, and other organs continue to function
normally, and he is able to live for many years in his condition. The snapping of the spine prevents his
brain from transmitting electrical impulses to his voluntary muscles, so that
he is unable to move these muscles as he wishes—doubtless a very significant
and sad problem—but that is just about it. If traditional chiropractic theory was true, all those who
are thus paralyzed should quickly die as their organs stop functioning, since
electrical impulses from the spinal cord have ceased entirely. This simply does not happen.
Second, God has designed our spines very well,
so that the spinal nerves actually do not get impinged by the bones surrounding
them, and electrical impulses are not at all affected by this non-extant
disability that is the theoretical basis behind all chiropractic. Surrounding the nerves in the spinal
cord are large areas of spongy tissue.
These provide excellent cushioning and protection from any such harm to
the nerves from the spinal bones.
No scientific test has ever demonstrated the existence or the validity
of such impingement of the spinal nerves (“subluxations”)—an amazing and
devastating fact, in light of the fact that chiropractors have literally earned
billions over the course of their over a century of practice, so that they have
a superabundance of funds to produce such studies to prove the legitimacy of
their methods. On the contrary,
genuine tests of the subluxation theory have demonstrated that these spinal impingements
do not exist, and, indeed, are impossible. Before pressure upon the spinal cord is extreme enough to in
any way compress or affect the spinal nerves protected by the spinal bones, the
bones themselves will shatter.[v] In other words, God has designed our
spinal cords so well that the bones of the cord simply do not harm the nerves
within them. Pressure that is so
extreme that it is just short of shattering the spinal bones does not impinge
the nerves at all. Nothing happens
to the spinal nerves from actions in everyday life that can prevent electrical
signals from passing through them.
Pressure will shatter the spinal bones before it will affect the spinal
nerves. Therefore, anyone who has
not had the bones of his spinal cord break into many pieces has not had
anything negative whatever happen to his spinal nerves from the spinal
bones. The fact that spinal bones
do not impinge spinal nerves makes chiropractic theory, as expressed by Fox and
D. D. Palmer, impossible.
Chiropractic “spinal realignments” or “adjustments” do nothing positive
whatsoever to the flow of electrical impulses through the spinal nerves,
because nothing negative that required “adjustment” or “realignment” has taken
place.
so that the spinal nerves actually do not get impinged by the bones surrounding
them, and electrical impulses are not at all affected by this non-extant
disability that is the theoretical basis behind all chiropractic. Surrounding the nerves in the spinal
cord are large areas of spongy tissue.
These provide excellent cushioning and protection from any such harm to
the nerves from the spinal bones.
No scientific test has ever demonstrated the existence or the validity
of such impingement of the spinal nerves (“subluxations”)—an amazing and
devastating fact, in light of the fact that chiropractors have literally earned
billions over the course of their over a century of practice, so that they have
a superabundance of funds to produce such studies to prove the legitimacy of
their methods. On the contrary,
genuine tests of the subluxation theory have demonstrated that these spinal impingements
do not exist, and, indeed, are impossible. Before pressure upon the spinal cord is extreme enough to in
any way compress or affect the spinal nerves protected by the spinal bones, the
bones themselves will shatter.[v] In other words, God has designed our
spinal cords so well that the bones of the cord simply do not harm the nerves
within them. Pressure that is so
extreme that it is just short of shattering the spinal bones does not impinge
the nerves at all. Nothing happens
to the spinal nerves from actions in everyday life that can prevent electrical
signals from passing through them.
Pressure will shatter the spinal bones before it will affect the spinal
nerves. Therefore, anyone who has
not had the bones of his spinal cord break into many pieces has not had
anything negative whatever happen to his spinal nerves from the spinal
bones. The fact that spinal bones
do not impinge spinal nerves makes chiropractic theory, as expressed by Fox and
D. D. Palmer, impossible.
Chiropractic “spinal realignments” or “adjustments” do nothing positive
whatsoever to the flow of electrical impulses through the spinal nerves,
because nothing negative that required “adjustment” or “realignment” has taken
place.
While chiropractic “adjustments” do not benefit
the overall health of the body or fight disease,[vi]
since Palmer’s theories are false, chiropractic spinal manipulation and other
associates of chiropractic visits can cause serious harm to one’s health. First, full-spine X-rays of the type
employed by many chiropractors—including Fox—cause cancer. When I found out that Judy had had such
X-rays performed on her twice, once as a child and once relatively recently, I
was very concerned. “A five-view
lumbosacral series of x-rays exposes the gonads to 3,000 times more radiation
than front-to-back and lateral chest x-rays.”[vii] Spinal X-rays of the sort employed by
chiropractors contributes yearly to hundreds of cancer deaths.[viii] Furthermore, manipulations of the neck,
employed by many chiropractors—including Fox—can result in the chiropractic
patient suffering strokes or becoming paralyzed.[ix]
When I saw Fox perform these
dangerous neck manipulations upon Judy, I was, let me say, not a little
displeased.
the overall health of the body or fight disease,[vi]
since Palmer’s theories are false, chiropractic spinal manipulation and other
associates of chiropractic visits can cause serious harm to one’s health. First, full-spine X-rays of the type
employed by many chiropractors—including Fox—cause cancer. When I found out that Judy had had such
X-rays performed on her twice, once as a child and once relatively recently, I
was very concerned. “A five-view
lumbosacral series of x-rays exposes the gonads to 3,000 times more radiation
than front-to-back and lateral chest x-rays.”[vii] Spinal X-rays of the sort employed by
chiropractors contributes yearly to hundreds of cancer deaths.[viii] Furthermore, manipulations of the neck,
employed by many chiropractors—including Fox—can result in the chiropractic
patient suffering strokes or becoming paralyzed.[ix]
When I saw Fox perform these
dangerous neck manipulations upon Judy, I was, let me say, not a little
displeased.
Furthermore, the misinformation that one will
get about one’s health by accepting the tenants of unreformed chiropractic,
practicing muscle testing, or employing homeopathy, will often delay or even
entirely prevent the taking of reasonable and realistic measures to improve
legitimate health problems. There
is no equivalence between a scientifically proven method for dealing with a
health issue and one that is sheer speculation or, worse, one revealed by
demons. Employing unproven methods
is not a sort of equal “alternative” medicine, but, at best, a risky endeavor of
the sort we do not consider wise in lesser matters. Why do we want a house to meet up to proven criteria for
buildings so that it will not collapse in a storm, and we want a bank that
meets proven criteria for financial stability so that our money does not
vanish, but we will entrust our health to methods that—even apart from their
roots in the occult—have not been proven to work? Are we getting better health, or simply a lighter
pocketbook? Do we do well to
employ health practices that are impossible upon their stated methods of
working?
get about one’s health by accepting the tenants of unreformed chiropractic,
practicing muscle testing, or employing homeopathy, will often delay or even
entirely prevent the taking of reasonable and realistic measures to improve
legitimate health problems. There
is no equivalence between a scientifically proven method for dealing with a
health issue and one that is sheer speculation or, worse, one revealed by
demons. Employing unproven methods
is not a sort of equal “alternative” medicine, but, at best, a risky endeavor of
the sort we do not consider wise in lesser matters. Why do we want a house to meet up to proven criteria for
buildings so that it will not collapse in a storm, and we want a bank that
meets proven criteria for financial stability so that our money does not
vanish, but we will entrust our health to methods that—even apart from their
roots in the occult—have not been proven to work? Are we getting better health, or simply a lighter
pocketbook? Do we do well to
employ health practices that are impossible upon their stated methods of
working?
–TDR
[i]
cf. pg. 7,
“NCAHF Fact Sheet on Chiropractic,” William T. Jarvis,
http://www.ncahf.org/articles/c-d/chiro.html.
cf. pg. 7,
“NCAHF Fact Sheet on Chiropractic,” William T. Jarvis,
http://www.ncahf.org/articles/c-d/chiro.html.
[v]
Cf. “A
Scientific Test of Chiropractic’s Subluxation Theory,” Edmund S. Crelin, http://www.chirobase.org/02Research/crelin.html.
Cf. “A
Scientific Test of Chiropractic’s Subluxation Theory,” Edmund S. Crelin, http://www.chirobase.org/02Research/crelin.html.
[vi]
Ernst
Edzard. “Chiropractic: A critical evaluation,” Journal of Pain and Symptom
Management 35:544-562, 2008]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18280103.
Ernst
Edzard. “Chiropractic: A critical evaluation,” Journal of Pain and Symptom
Management 35:544-562, 2008]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18280103.
[ix]
“Chiropractic’s
Dirty Secret: Neck Manipulation and Strokes,” Stephen
Barrett. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirostroke.html;
cf. “NCAHF Fact Sheet on Chiropractic,” pg. 5ff.
“Chiropractic’s
Dirty Secret: Neck Manipulation and Strokes,” Stephen
Barrett. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirostroke.html;
cf. “NCAHF Fact Sheet on Chiropractic,” pg. 5ff.
Thomas, Thomas, Thomas,
While I agree wholeheartedly that we should not have any association with the occult, I fear you give to much credit to the "conventional" medical world. I wish you would just let everyone know that it was you who performed this very unscientific test of Dr. Fox.
Josh
Dear Joshua,
I'm not clear on what in the above post is unscientific, or very unscientific; based on Scriptural commands about the use of the mind, I trust we will provide facts and data if we wish to conclude something is unscientific.
As for the people involved, I will neither confirm or deny any statements about who they are–whether I am the one specified, or Oscar the Grouch, or the Apostle Paul, or my next door neighbor, or friends of mine in Mukwonago, or one "Joshua" who comments sometimes in this blog.
I'm glad you also wish to avoid the occult. Let's be sure to do so, and reject traditional chiropractic quackery.
Thanks for the comment.
Just curious which "unscientific test" you are referring to Joshua. These articles read to me like the author has heard from Fox's mouth the claims he is making for his particular brand of pseudo medicine, and is then debunking it. Have I missed something in these articles?
To clarify, there seems to be two Joshua's here. I believe I am the more frequent guest here than my doppelgänger, and I'm all in favor of what has been written above. I understood from studies like the above the spiritual dangers in "alternative medicine", but from my own observations I have seen the bitter fruit.
When staying at another persons house over a long period of time, I remember watching their elderly arthritic grandmother hobble around the house, and her relative preparing a foul slurry containing whole scorpions and cockroaches that a herbalist had prescribed. It gave her nought relief save in one toe – such are the scraps our enemy throws his victims in exchange for so much more.
This is to say nothing of the schisms and discord sown by ladies trying to spread their hatred of the medical profession in the church. Modern medicine is certainly not perfect, but it is a far cry from the occult influence that pervades "alternative medicine."