Doctors of chiropractic are used to seeing negative articles in the media. Many magazines and newspapers, especially those receiving significant revenue from drug company and medical advertising, seem to love to bash chiropractic. Even so-called "unbiased" reports almost invariably contain warnings about the "dangers" of chiropractic, usually from medical doctors who have never given or received an adjustment in their lives.

That's why when a publication dares to print a positive piece, D.C.s sit up and take notice.

Recently, two major articles saw their way into print that gladdened the hearts of many chiropractors.

The first was a report on the introduction of chiropractic services into the Veterans Affairs health care system, written by Sharon Theimer, an Associated Press writer, and distributed via the AP news service. The article appeared in numerous newspapers throughout the U.S.

In her piece, Ms. Theimer reported on the efforts by the chiropractic profession to make sure their services are available to veterans through the VA system. "After years of being treated as second-class providers in the medical profession, chiropractors are lobbying hard to shape the Department of Veterans Affairs new coverage of chiropractic treatment in hopes of winning broader access to patients nationally," she explained.

Demonstrating an understanding of the varying viewpoints on the role of chiropractic care, she went on to explain the difference between the American Chiropractic Association and World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) positions.

"The American Chiropractic Association wants chiropractors to be able to serve as primary care providers, diagnosing illness," she explained, adding that, "The World Chiropractic Alliance argues chiropractors should focus on their specialty -- the spine and nervous system -- rather than mirroring the work of physicians. The Alliance wants the VA to let patients see chiropractors for preventive care in addition to existing problems."

The article quoted Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., WCA president, who pointed out that "what happens in the VA will set the tone for all future involvement with chiropractic in the federal government."

The second article of interest to chiropractors appeared in the Toronto-based "Medical Post," (vol. 38, no. 32, September 10, 2002).

Written by medical doctor Susan Biali, the segment on chiropractic was the second of a four-part series on alternative health care.

In the article, Dr. Biali relates her first-hand experience with chiropractic after her dance instructor told her she could benefit from an adjustment. He had noticed a limitation in the range of motion for her right side.

"I'm not sure what I'd expected, but I was quite startled by the treatment," she explained. It's not that he was rough, but the twist that he gave my hips was so sharp and quick, and the crunch of my spine so loud, that I yelped involuntarily. Still, it worked. I stood up, and made an easy, perfect figure eight with my hips."

She continued by explaining that, months later, she experienced a similar stiffness and returned to another chiropractor and was again amazed at the results. When she asked him what he would want medical doctors to understand about chiropractic, he responded, "It works. All they would need to do is talk to every patient who walks out of here during a typical week. Almost everyone leaves feeling better; in fact, it's unusual not to."

Although at first she expressed a fear of cervical spine trauma -- the result, no doubt, of almost continuous sensationalist media reports in the Canadian press -- her narrative was positive. In fact, she later explained that, despite her reservations, she did have a cervical adjustment and that all went well!

Such positive coverage is still rare, but thanks to the continuing efforts by the World Chiropractic Alliance and the entire chiropractic profession to re-educate the public, the medical establishment, and the media, we may be seeing the start of a new trend.