January 2009

We're at war!

by Dr. Ogi Ressel

I'm certain that all of you, as chiropractors, are aware that we're all in a war. Yet, this war is different than those fought in the past. There are no wounded and bleeding prisoners, no POW camps, no ration stamps, no aircraft bombing raids. This war is fought on the plains of marketing, perception management, credibility, public awareness, and money. The weapons used are devastating -- the media, political lynch-mobs, regulatory board witch-hunts, blitzkriegs, drug campaigns, immunization fear campaigns, scare tactics, and a host of others.

Although no actual blood is shed, there are plenty of victims and families in ruins. You see these people every day in your offices. They've been taught to believe that health is an outside-in process, that drugs will do the work the body is somehow incapable of doing, that somehow people have been given too many organs and their excess needs to be removed. And no one ever questions why.

No one ever asks: "Why is my body not doing what it's designed and programmed to do?"

The result is that parents willingly subject their children to medical rituals most of which have not been adequately tested but nevertheless passed by the FDA, and various health departments.

Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels, in their new book entitled, "Selling Sickness," took a bold step in disclosing big pharma's plan: world drug domination. For the health of the population?

Think again.

Thirty years ago, Henry Gadsden, the head of Merck, one of the world's largest drug companies, told Fortune magazine that he wanted Merck to be more like chewing gum maker, Wrigley's. It had long been his dream, he said, to make drugs for healthy people so that Merck could "sell to everyone." Gadsden's dream now drives the marketing machinery of the most profitable industry on the planet.

We know that using their dominating influence in the world of science and politics, drug companies are systematically working to widen the very boundaries that define illness. Old conditions and health problems are expanded, new ones are created, and the markets for medication grow ever larger. Mild problems are redefined as serious illnesses, and common, run-of-the-mill complaints are labeled as serious medical conditions requiring drug treatments.

Runny noses are now called allergic rhinitis. Measles is now a deadly disease that apparently kills millions somewhere. PMS has become a psychiatric disorder, as has hyperactivity. Even common shyness now requires Zoloft, which is conveniently available to cast off the demons of being shy. Incontinence has been elevated to the status of "overactive bladder disease" and all men over 40 are "urged" to have a prostate test to detect cancer early so that treatment can begin right away. Being "at-risk" for a condition such as high cholesterol or low bone density is sold as a disease in its own right.

Widening the boundaries of illness and lowering (and narrowing) the threshold for what is medically considered "normal" so that treatment can be initiated immediately, is creating millions of new patients and billions of dollars in new profits. It's also threatening to bankrupt health care systems all over the world. We are sliding ever so quickly towards Gadsden's dream of "selling to everyone."

While I don't think I'm saying anything you haven't been aware of, I'd like you to understand that as a profession, we are the only ones who stand in the way of this gargantuan medical-pharmaceutical steamroller. I'd like you also to realize that this war has plenty of prisoners. Yes, prisoners. And, if in guessing who they are you pointed at yourself, I congratulate you on your insight!

The Wilk case victory a number of years ago prevents organized medicine from openly opposing the chiropractic profession. Instead, it's being done very covertly by ever-tightening regulatory board regulations and "Standards of Practice." These boards are responsible to the health department, or other such body that supports the medical health care approach, and only tolerates our presence.

If you wonder why we're tolerated in spite of all the opposition, that's easy. The public wants what we do! And they elect the government.

The higher orders are quite blatant: contain the chiropractic threat. Make these "chiropractors" masters of back pain only. The public isn't allowed to hear the wellness message for fear it may detract from Gadsden's dream.

Why? It's simple. Money. There's no source of revenue for the government from people seeing a chiropractor. Heaven forbid we should allow a population to be healthy. What would we do with a whole population of medics whose patients are turning to chiropractic for health care? Unthinkable! What would be done with the army of cancer researchers and support staff? The country's economy is at stake.

Let me illustrate how insidious this plan is. Probably many of you are unaware that three years ago, the licensing board in Ontario, Canada, established a regulation that makes it illegal for any chiropractor to discuss, warn people about, mention, or direct people to any resource or website concerning information on vaccination. The penalty is a $25,000 fine, a charge of misconduct, and possible loss of license.

Yes, a gag order imposed on the entire profession. Incredible! Not only that, but doctors in Ontario are also forbidden from adjusting their spouses!

So you see, the sickness business is big indeed... and YOU are in the way! Therefore orders come down from above to persecute and prosecute those doctors who are busy. This is all done under the guise of "protecting the public." The Salem witch-hunts come to mind. I know. I've been there (and I have several tee-shirts). So do Tedd Koren and a number of other top-notch chiropractic doctors.

So, what's the best way of fighting this war?

I suggest that we stop fighting each other, for one thing. When attacked, we tend to circle the wagons and shoot -- inside. That needs to stop!

I also suggest that we involve our patients in this war because it can be won only with the support of your public. Make your patients realize what you do and what this is really about. It's about their rights and liberties and freedoms. Have them speak out to their politicians. Have them make waves and really rattle and rock that boat! Get them to question and write to the regulatory boards insisting they justify their decisions to your patients.

Get the media involved. Public pressure is the most powerful weapon there is!

Fire those chiropractors who sit on these boards and have succumbed to the pharmaceutical perspective. And if they can't be fired, then use their own tactics against them. Be vigilant about what they do and lodge a formal complaint to their own board if you notice anything amiss. They'll be forced to step down. This needs to be a campaign.

Become powerful. Make certain that everything you do in your office is absolutely squeaky clean. Have all paperwork and research to back up what you do and why. Stop being a victim and a prisoner. Remember your purpose and mission!

Oh, one last thing. Enjoy the process, and know that it's a game and that ultimately, Truth shall prevail.

(Dr. Ogi Ressel, author, researcher, and an x-ray and pediatric specialist, teaches The Practice Evolution Program, the "fastest-growing coaching program on the planet." Visit online at www.practiceevolution.com  and take the Practice Health Mini-Checkup. Dr. Ressel may be contacted by e-mail at drogi@practiceevolution.com  or by calling 800-353-3082. Interested in receiving his weekly THOTS "on seeing tons of children and families in your practice?" Send him an e-mail and asked to be added to the list.)