March 2006

See also: Complaint against Maggie Craw, DC and DACBR describes Craw encounter

WCA files second complaint against Craw in Calif.

Reports point to possible pattern of malfeasance

In response to a request for information about Maggie Craw, DC, a consultant for the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the World Chiropractic Alliance has received numerous reports of negative experiences with the Sacramento‑based Board representative.

Based on these reports and other information compiled by the WCA, the organization has filed a second complaint against Dr. Craw and has requested intervention by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to rectify the situation. The text of this second complaint is printed in this issue of The Chiropractic Journal.

Many of the new reports echoed the problems encountered by Don Harte, DC, whose two‑year battle with the Board was described in the Feb. 2006 issue of The Chiropractic Journal. Dr. Harte had fully documented his correspondence with the Board and his numerous attempts to comply with state regulations despite Craw's refusal to explain exactly what the Board's complaints entailed.

Again and again, he requested specific information so he could rectify whatever problems might exist with his advertising, but received no information until a local legislator intervened on his behalf. Letters from the Board, written and signed by Craw, were brusque and threatening. Even when the Board finally "closed" the case, it gave no explanations and curtly noted that it was being "closed with merit and shall remain on file for a period of five years. If the board receives additional information of this nature, we may elect to reopen this case."

News of Harte's struggle, and the accompanying call for information from other doctors who have had experiences with her in the past, generated numerous calls and letters to the WCA. Many DCs reported similar problems with Craw and the California Board, citing occasions when they were threatened with Board actions without specifics as to their alleged violations.

Other reports told of complaints registered over trivial matters or actions that appeared to target subluxation‑based chiropractors in the state.

One doctor, whose name is being withheld since the case is still open, was the subject of a Board complaint because, during an appearance on a local television news program ‑‑ broadcast four months earlier ‑‑ the show's graphics department ran a caption under his photo identifying him as Dr. (name) and the notation: "(name of city) Chiropractor."

The complaint cited a provision of the state's Chiropractic Initiative Act that says all chiropractors must use the word "chiropractor" or the initials DC "immediately following his or her name." The original complaint was apparently filed by either a competing DC or a member of the public and categorized the news segment as an "advertisement." The Board issued a

"cease and desist" complaint without, apparently, checking into the validity of the complaint.

The doctor was stunned by the complaint, and wrote to the Board that "I am extremely disturbed by this form of harassment, and handling of a board complaint with reckless disregard for the board guidelines under which you work and I pay licensing fees to have administered. Either the 'advertisement' was NOT sent in, or whoever is supposed to review it 'carefully' did not."

Fueling speculation that the "advertising" complaint was mere pretense, the Board went on to demand copies of "peer‑reviewed, indexed, scientific journals substantiating that bio‑cranial, or any other chiropractic method, is effective in the treatment of the following conditions, as described on your website."

The doctor's website notes that certain health issues such as ADHD, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, herniated discs, asthma and other lung problems, and sports related injuries may respond to chiropractic care, specifically the bio‑cranial technique. The website also clearly notes that: "This system of care produces no cures. What it does is allows the body to function at a higher level and heal itself. Practically anywhere in the body when there is dis‑function and dis‑ease the body is capable of repairing and healing itself."

In another part of the website, readers are told: "Bio Cranial does not cure conditions, disorders or diseases. By improving the state of the cranial bones the body is able to function at a higher level. The body heals, not the doctor."

Although he produced some 450 pages of peer‑reviewed research, the doctor called the Board's action "unnecessary harassment" and asked for an apology for the mishandling of the complaint.

The World Chiropractic Alliance is continuing to solicit reports of similar actions from California doctors, as well as information from doctors in other states who have been subjected to board harassment or intimidation.

Information about problems with state boards should be sent to the World Chiropractic Alliance, 2950 N. Dobson Rd., Suite 3, Chandler, AZ 85224 or via e‑mail to: boardinvestigation@worldchiropracticalliance.org. All reports must contain the doctor's name, address and phone number for verification purposes, although that information will be kept confidential at the doctor's request.