January 2003
FOX-TV segment draws fire from WCA
A segment included in FOX-TV's "Sunday Housecall"
program drew an immediate and irate response from the World Chiropractic
Alliance (WCA).
The program showcases Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D., author of
"Dr. Rosenfeld's Guide to Alternative Medicine," and
"Doctor, What Should I Eat?"
In the FOX piece, Rosenfeld noted, "Talking on the phone
in one position for too long, like putting the phone between your ear and
shoulder, can be risky for strokes. It's the same problem with
chiropractors. I love chiropractors. They are excellent for the low back.
I believe they should never touch the neck, because this is an area that
is so dangerous for problems."
A letter to the FOX network pointed out that suggesting
chiropractic care is limited only to low back pain "ignores mounting
evidence that it can be beneficial for many patients of all ages, and can
be a component of a complete wellness care routine."
The WCA also disputed Dr. Rosenfeld's implied warning that
chiropractic cervical care can cause strokes.
"The fact is," the WCA explained,
"chiropractic care is extremely safe." The organization went on
to cite several studies proving the superior safety record of chiropractic
over medical care.
"Dr. Rosenfeld's assertion that he 'loves' chiropractors
is disingenuous at best," stated Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., WCA
president. In his book on alternative medicine, he stated: '... I prefer
an osteopath to a chiropractor, if I can find one who still focuses on
manipulation. An osteopath is permitted to prescribe any medication that
may also be necessary in addition to whatever manipulation he or she
performs. A chiropractor is not.'"
His anti-chiropractic bias is evident even in the subtitle he
chose for the chapter on chiropractic: "A Disjointed Theory?" In
the book, Rosenfeld goes on to say, "The medical profession considers
subluxation to be more of a chiropractic state of mind than a physical
abnormality of the spine." He warns patients of supposed potential
side effects of chiropractic care, including "bladder disturbance,
leg weakness, and rectal and genital malfunction," without stressing
that these adverse effects are so rare as to be almost non-existent.
"Clearly, this is a spokesman for the medical profession
who is continuing the age-old attack on chiropractic, either out of
ignorance or malice," stated Dr. Rondberg. "Either way, we must
do everything we can to advise the public that his information about
chiropractic is inaccurate and therefore not credible."
At least one critic of Rosenfeld's book used Amazon's
"rate this book" feature to warn buyers about it.
"It would be interesting to see what would happen to his
book sales if enough people shared their opinions about his biased
reporting at Amazon and on other web-based book review sites,"
Rondberg noted.
