May 2007

Lessons from the California practice rights litigation -- Part 10

by David Prescott, MA, JD, DC

Early schools of chiropractic ‑‑ Reflex therapeutics

As previously emphasized in the current article series, section 16 of the 1922 California Chiropractic Act requires the act to be interpreted so as to not "discriminate against any particular (pre‑1922) school of chiropractic, or any other treatment."

The last two series installments took a brief look at the early chiropractic schools of thought referred to as "physiological (natural) therapeutics" and "naturopath." Following, it was asserted that section 16 prohibits discrimination against these schools of thought (actually, they are essentially the same, with different names).

This month, we turn our attention to "reflex therapeutics."

Earlier (in Part 7 of the series), I had promised to address this issue, and pointed to the work of J. Shelby Riley who, in 1912‑13, founded the New England College of Chiropractic. Dr. Riley also wrote "Science and Practice of Chiropractic and Allied Sciences" published in 1919, wherein (pp.284‑285) he referred to his work as "zone therapy." I also said I would address the work of George Starr White, MD, PhD, DC, who was the Honorary Dean of LACC from 1921 to 1924.

While space limitations require that I now focus on Dr. White, anyone seeking information about the work of Dr. Riley can purchase a re‑published version of his "Zone Reflex" book from Health Research, PO Box 850, Pomeroy, WA 99347.

One additional point.

Dr. Benedict Lust, the purported founder of "naturopathy" in the United States, referred to Riley's work as an early form of acupressure. Obviously, this raises some sensitive issues within the chiropractic and acupuncture communities, which I will address in a subsequent article. For the moment, suffice it to say chiropractors and acupuncturists should, both for market share and informed patient choice purposes, be entitled to their own distinct identity and terminology.

George S. White

George Starr White credited William H. Fitzgerald, MD, with founding the "zone therapy" system that Dr. White practiced and taught. A book published in 1917 written by Dr. Fitzgerald entitled, "Zone Therapy" reveals (p. 879) that Dr. White was first introduced to zone therapy in 1914 under Dr. Fitzgerald's tutelage. This re‑published book (available from Health Research) also includes some of Dr. White's "lectures" dealing with zone therapy.

Zone therapy

The following brief outline of some of the major principles of zone therapy is based upon Dr. White's interpretation of the work of Dr. Fitzgerald, and his own additions.

The zones. Per Dr. White, Dr. Fitzgerald defined five "zones" on each side of the mid‑line of the body on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the head, trunk and extremities (the basic anterior layout is shown in the accompanying illustration). However, Dr. White indicated that in his opinion there are probably more zones than just these but that the described zones are convenient and clinically effective. Dr. White indicated that Dr. Fitzgerald came up with these reflex zones on an empirical and clinically experimental basis. (There are also extensive reflex zones shown in the referenced text related to the posterior body and more specific, additional, reflex zones in the hands, feet and ears.)

Although Dr. White indicated that zone therapy was developed on an empirical basis, he offered the preliminary hypotheses that stimulation at one point in the body has inhibitory effects (as to both pain and pathology) in far distant parts of the body due to at least two factors: 1) the embryological development of the body (p. 892), and 2) the fact that although "Man is admittedly of chemical formation (he/she is) controlled by electrical energy, or 'electronic vibration'" (p. 883).

Treatment methods. The Fitzgerald/White text shows the use of a variety of treatment methods and instruments, including simple pressure with the fingers, fingernails, or metallic and rubber band devices, and the use of "galvanic cautery" and other electrical instruments as well as a "needle‑point" vibratory instrument and "heat and cold waves." In addition, on page 159 of the text, there is a picture of the use of what is referred to as a "stickpin" needle.

Anesthetic/analgesics. Dr. White discusses two basic aspects of the use of zone therapy for analgesic and anesthetic effects. First, that treatment at certain locations within a single zone will produce analgesic and anesthetic effects throughout the zone. Second, that treatment within many locations within the mouth, pharynx, epipharynx, nose and at the ends of the fingers and toes will cause analgesic and anesthetic effects at different locations "over the entire body." He also goes into some detail about the use of zone therapy for the painless extraction of teeth and for other surgical procedures, including child birthing.

Disease conditions. Dr. White provides specific instructions for the use of zone therapy with respect to a list of conditions and diseases from "abdomen pain" to "wry neck" and including, for example, such things as angina, bronchitis, headache and goiter.

It is important to note that "zone therapy" is based primarily upon Western anatomy, physiology and diagnostic categories. This mode of practice must be protected under the "non‑discrimination" provisions of section 16 of the Chiropractic Act.

Equally important, California courts (e.g. Crees case, 213 Cal.App.2d 195, 202) have recognized that "chiropractic is not a static system of healing and that it may advance and change in technique, teaching, learning, and mode of treatment within the limits of chiropractic" as it existed in 1922. It is time to recognize that those chiropractors who choose to become educated to do so, have the legal right to use all natural and non‑surgical forms of treating the sick and afflicted, including zone therapy and related advances that are now available based upon emerging scientific and clinical knowledge and experience.

Next time, I will expand on chiropractic connections with reflex therapeutics based upon the work of Drs. Terrence Martin and Ralph Martin of LACC.

(David Prescott is a former prosecutor, law school dean, professor of constitutional law, and a trial attorney with more than 30 years experience. He is also a 1989 Cum Laude graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College. Contact him by calling The Prescott Group, 888‑989‑0855 or find more information at www.prescott‑law.com)