San Diego Union-Tribune
Letters to the editor
June 22, 2007
Chiropractic group responds to editorial
Regarding “The real problem/Board purge wouldn't end need for chiro fix” (Editorial, June 16):
As president of the California Chiropractic Association, in our view the “real problem” is that the Union-Tribune
denigrates the entire chiropractic profession with absolutely no basis in fact.
Yes, there are issues that need to be addressed with the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners. But the
legislative response to these issues, which the Union-Tribune supports, goes far beyond providing oversight of
the board. It places at risk the viability of our profession by weakening the initiative act passed by voters in
1922 allowing access to chiropractic in California.
The editorial also implied that doctors of chiropractic are not subject to proper oversight. We are highly trained,
holistic health-care providers subject to rigorous licensing and performance standards enforced by the state.
We do not oppose the idea of greater legislative oversight of the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Unfortunately, the plan you support would do far more to undermine thousands of respected doctors of
chiropractic and the care provided their patients than to solve internal problems at the state board.
WILLIAM UPDYKE, DC
Santa Clara, Calif.
The Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Letters
Published April 6, 2007
In defense of chiropractors
Re "Spineless," editorial, March 30
My son, a chiropractor in the Bay Area, feels strongly that the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners must be above
reproach. It took him six years to become a chiropractor: two years of post-baccalaureate classes in science (all pre-med)
and four years in chiropractic school learning his craft. Chiropractors are given little respect in many quarters despite the
large number of people they relieve from pain.
In recent years, insurance companies have slashed their fees and drastically limited the number of chiropractic visits
allowed per plan. Because of the high cost of maintaining a practice and the low reimbursement schedules, many
excellent chiropractors have shut their doors in the last few years. I agree with The Times that the function of the state
board is to regulate the chiropractic profession, and I hope that it will also represent the true value of this profession for
the public good.
TERI REDMAN
Brentwood
As a doctor of chiropractic, I strongly support the mission of the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners, which is to protect
the public. The chiropractic profession fully understands that we are stronger if the state board does its job well: enforcing
high standards and weeding out the bad actors. Your reference to the "capture" of the board by those it regulates is
wrong.
Chiropractic has a lot to offer patients, especially those who seek an all-natural healing method that does not rely on the
use of prescription drugs or invasive surgeries. It is a century-old discipline, proven in practice as well as in independent
research. Nothing you have said or that the state board has done changes the reality that well-trained, licensed doctors of
chiropractic are providing high-quality care to patients every day, helping them lead healthier, pain-free lives.
MICHAEL SACKETT
Murrieta, Calif.
It is not clear to the average person that what is going on at the state board does not affect the quality of care they are
receiving from their own doctor. For the record, nothing that has taken place at the chiropractic board changes the fact
that doctors of chiropractic will continue to treat their patients with the same high level of care and effectiveness for which
they have been known for decades.
DENNIS BUCKLEY
Past president, California Chiropractic Assn.
Pasadena
The Sacramento Bee
Letters: Health, war, etc.
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, March 12, 2007
A longtime chiropractic practice
Re "Chaos on chiropractic board / The governor's appointees -- including ex-bodybuilding chums -- are accused of a
'coup'," March 8: I feel I must set the record straight.
The article suggested that the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners (BCE) was doing something controversial by
approving a resolution supporting manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) as part of the chiropractic scope of practice. In
fact, there is nothing controversial about it. The BCE has consistently held the position that MUA is within the scope of
practice since 1990 in numerous different pronouncements over the years.
Last week's action was just a reiteration of that longstanding position, which is consistent with the positions of the other 49
states and all applicable case law. MUA is a non-invasive procedure increasingly offered as an alternative to surgery for
chronic conditions that have not responded adequately to in-office treatment.
Doctors of chiropractic perform only the chiropractic portions of the procedure, such as manipulation, traction and
myofascial release, as allowed by their scope of practice. The attending medical physician (anesthesiologist) makes all
medical decisions, provides all necessary medications and takes responsibility for all medical aspects of the procedure as
allowed by the medical license.
- John J. Bueler, Jr. DC, Crestline
President, California Chiropractic Association
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Support the chiro board
Over the last several weeks, The Bee has run an editorial ("Adjustment needed," March 10) and numerous stories about
recent actions of the state Chiropractic Board of Examiners. I am writing to make clear that the California Chiropractic
Association fully supports the BCE in its mission to protect the public. We also need the board to work effectively so that it
can provide guidelines to the chiropractic community that help us to best serve our patients.
For many people, chiropractic is the most effective form of treatment for problems of the back, neck, shoulder and other
joints. Doctors of chiropractic also are educated in wellness care, illness and injury prevention, dietary and nutritional
counseling, exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomics, making us a natural choice for those who are looking for an
alternative to invasive surgeries and potentially harmful prescription drugs.
Independent studies have shown that the use of chiropractic care leads to better health outcomes, higher patient
satisfaction and lower overall health care costs. We are confident the Legislature and BCE members will successfully
address any concerns regarding issues that have been brought forward. In the meantime, doctors of chiropractic will
continue to serve our patients well, helping them lead healthier, pain-free lives.
- Kassie Donoghue, Sacramento
Immediate Past President, California Chiropractic Association
This won't affect good care
Re "Chairman in the hot seat," March 29: As a chiropractor in the Sacramento area, I want to set the record straight on
one aspect of The Bee's articles about the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Because of these stories, I am
frequently asked by patients what this is all about. It is not clear to the average person that what is going on at the state
board does not affect the quality of care they are receiving from their own doctor.
For the record, the actions at the state board reported in The Bee are primarily about personnel and administrative
matters. Nothing that has taken place will change the fact that doctors of chiropractic will continue to treat their patients
with the same high level of care and effectiveness they have for decades.
- Heather Dehn, D.C., Sacramento
Turf battles come with the turf
The state Board of Chiropractic Examiners has received more attention in The Bee lately than the war in Iraq. The Bee's
over-the-top coverage seems more inspired by the fact that two members on this board are friends of Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger from his bodybuilding days than by any issues of substance. I'm surprised and disappointed that The
Bee is attempting pass off this interesting tidbit as front-page news.
The state board is an obscure state entity that is -- flaws and all -- no different from dozens of boards and commissions
overseeing other professions, from cosmetologists to landscape architects to medical doctors. These boards are known
for their turf battles, infighting and power struggles.
- David Benevento, D.C., Folsom