For nearly two decades, Dr. Terry Rondberg has been teaching people about the benefits of chiropractic. Now, he's taken on a second educational mission: teaching them about the risks involved in many common medical practices.

"The medical and pharmaceutical industries have done a good job brainwashing the American public to think they have the answers to all your health problems," said Dr. Rondberg, founder and president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, author of the best selling book, "Chiropractic First," and publisher of The Chiropractic Journal. "It's time someone told them the true story. Medicine has a definite role in trauma care and crisis management, but it is not health care."

Rondberg tells that story in a new book, "Under the Influence of Modern Medicine." The book contains articles on a wide variety of subjects, including over-the-counter drugs, surgery, medical tests, the treatment of elderly and women patients, children's health, and much more. In each chapter, separate reports chronicle studies published in major medical and scientific journals and other reputable sources, revealing the risks and dangers of the modern medical approach. Each report contains a reference as to the original source of the information.

Also presented in the book is increasing evidence of the underlying greed which has corrupted and debased the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry. Readers are made aware of the staggering sums poured into useless cancer research projects and of questionable endorsement deals between health care organizations and drug marketers.

"The attachment people have to medicine is strong, and it's reinforced by television, radio and print ads on a daily basis. It's like an addiction," Rondberg stated. "Before we can get them to make healthier choices, we need to help them break that addiction. One way to do this is through intense education."

The book is likely to strike a resonant chord with many readers, since, according to National Patient Safety Foundation, as many as three million people each year are injured as a result of medical errors in hospitals.

A survey conducted by the Foundation in 1997 showed that more than 100 million Americans say their lives have been affected in one way or another by medical errors. Far more are likely to be frustrated by the lack of results from continued and risky medical treatment outside the hospital setting.

"The timing is right for this book, and for chiropractors everywhere to help educate the public about the risks of medicine and the benefits of chiropractic," Rondberg emphasized. "They have all heard horror stories about malpractice and corporate greed. Many have experienced those stories first hand. Now, we need to let them know their cases weren't isolated ones. This is happening to millions of others -- and there is an alternative."

By reading the book, people will be forced to reject some of their own notions about the infallibility of medicine, and open their minds to the possibility of non-medical health care.

In a foreword to the book, Patrick Gentempo, Jr., D.C., noted chiropractic researcher and educator, explained: "We are faced with a major contradiction when we view medicine as "health care" because -- in reality -- it is sick care. When you take sick care and apply it to society as health care, you end up with a sick society. As a nation, we spend around one trillion dollars a year on what we call health care, yet our morbidity and mortality rates are unacceptable."

Dr. Gentempo also praised Rondberg's efforts in educating the public to the health care crisis.

"Amid the chaos, Dr. Terry A. Rondberg is a voice of reason and in this book, he raises that voice loud and clear. A true health care warrior, Dr. Rondberg has done a brilliant job documenting the horrible damage the current medical level of thinking has done to us.

"Much of the research in this book will have you shaking your head in disbelief," Gentempo pointed out. "Believe it. Learn from it. Never let yourself or your loved ones be victimized because of ignorance of this information. Share it with others -- their lives may depend on it."

Advance copies distributed to key leaders in the chiropractic profession have been favorably recieved. Fred H. Barge, D.C., Ph.C., said of the book: "Well documented and factual, Dr. Rondberg blows the whistle of alarm to alert the consumer in the health care market place. Perhaps his courage will help chiropractors shed their own fears of speaking out. ... Well written, well referenced and easy to read, it is a valuable contribution to the chiropractor's library."

Tony Palermo, D.C., said the book could be "the difference between a pain relief patient and committed lifetime wellness oriented patient."

Joining in the acclaim was Veronica Gutierrez, D.C. "I've read 'Under the Influence' from cover to cover. If anyone still believes medical science reigns supreme, they now must say 'The Emperor wears no clothes."

Chris Kent, D.C., noted, "'Under the Influence' provides the intellectual ammunition needed to win the revolution in health care. Reading it will help you safeguard your health, and that of your loved ones. Dr. Rondberg's meticulously referenced work is a must read for every doctor, patient and potential patient in America."

Medicare expert and popular The Chiropractic Journal columnist Dr. Jeffrey Shay noted that, "Dr. Rondberg's book is a summation of the dark side of medicine, the things that the medical lobby doesn't want to the public to know; these are the failures and shortcomings of modern medicine... This is not the brave new world depicted in the drug ads and the media blitz. It's a disaster in action... This book should remind chiropractors why they went into this profession in the first place."

"Under the Influence" is an ideal companion to Rondberg's previous volume, "Chiropractic First," which has drawn widespread praise from throughout the chiropractic profession. It has become a chiropractic best seller, now in its seventh printing. Many doctors who purchased the book in large quantities and gave them to patients report increased retention and referrals.

Together, the pair of books deliver a one-two punch which alerts readers to the failures in modern medicine, and educates them about the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic.