Accurate information about chiropractic is not easy to get. Most publishers, editors, and broadcasters are unwilling to examine this topic in depth and to publish critical information. As a result, most reports reaching the public express what chiropractors would like people to believe. This Web site will enable you to deepen your understanding. If you decide to seek chiropractic care, it may also help you find a suitable practitioner.

About Chirobase    

• Mission Statement and FAQs (updated 1/8/08)
• Most Recent Additions to Our Sites (link to Quackwatch)
• About Drs. Barrett and Homola (updated 4/18/08)
• How to Become a Quackwatch Advisor (posted 6/16/10)
• Cheers and Jeers: Comments from Visitors (updated 1/2/09) FEATURE
• Publications for Sale (updated 12/13/01)
• Publications Wanted (updated 4/2/01)
• How Chirobase complies with the HONCode Principles (updated 6/21/08)

General Articles    

• Why Chiropractic Is Controversial (updated 2/9/00)
• Chiropractic: A Skeptical View (updated 4/28/00)
• Subluxations: Chiropractic's Elusive Buzzword (updated 5/21/06)
• How Subluxation Theory Threatens Public Health (posted 12/22/02)
• Don't Let Chiropractors Fool You (updated 9/17/99)
• Take It from a D.C.: A Lot of Chiropractic Is a Sham (1990) (posted 11/24/98)
• Do "Pinched Nerves" Reduce the Flow of "Nerve Energy"? (posted 1/21/98)
• NCAHF Position Paper on Chiropractic (1985) (link to another site)
• NCAHF Fact Sheet on Chiropractic (2001) (link to another site)
• Placebos, Nocebos, and Chiropractic Adjustments (posted 12/19/02)
• Be Wary of Chiropractic Pediatrics (posted 8/12/10)
• Canadian Paediatric Society Position Paper (link to another site)
• Medical Letter Report on Spinal Manipulation (link to another site)
• Chiropractic Opposition to Immunization (updated 10/17/02)
• A Message to Chiropractors from Dr. Barrett (1990) (posted 11/4/98)
• Views of a Reformist Chiropractor (link to another site)
• Why Becoming a Chiropractor May Be Risky (posted 12/22/98)
• Can chiropractic become a respected mainstream profession? (posted 2/25/09) FEATURE
• Glossary of Chiropractic Terms (updated 12/5/07)
• Chiropractic Technique List (posted 11/23/03)
• Notable Quotes (updated 3/14/05) FEATURE
• Miscellaneous News (updated 7/22/03)

Dangers    

• Chiropractic's Dirty Secret: Neck Manipulation and Strokes (link to another site)
• Canadian Neurologists Warn against Neck Manipulation (posted 3/13/02)
• Coroner's Jury Concludes That Neck Manipulation Killed Canadian Woman (posted 1/22/04)
• Malpractice Is an Inevitable Result of Chiropractic Philosophy and Training (1979) (posted 11/7/98)

Questionable Practice-Building Techniques    

• The Selling of the Spine (updated 2/16/03)
• A Brief Look at a Subluxation-Based Practice-Building Script (posted 10/6/04)
• Advice from the American Chiropractic Association (1984) (posted 12/14/98)
• Chiropractic Response to Terrorism: Have Your Spine Adjusted (posted 9/15/01)
• Echiropractic Greeting and Reminder Cards (posted 10/1/00)
• Ten Ways Chiropractors Sell Themselves to Parents (posted 11/22/98)
• Thirty-Seven Narratives for "Patient Education" (posted 9/3/00)
• Patient Media's Drug Ad Post-It Notes (posted 8/21/02)
• Some Notes on Big Idea Enterprises (posted 9/9/02)
• Don't Fall for Chiropractic Telemarketing Scams
• Chiropractor Disciplined for Inappropriate Solicitation (posted 6/19/02)
• Australian Court Agrees That Subluxation-Based Chiropractor Recommended Excessive Care (posted 8/29/06)
• How Two "Pediatric Chiropractic" Leaders Advise Chiropractors to Undermine Pediatrician Credibility (posted 5/18/08)

Occupational Outlook for Chiropractors    

• Analysis of the Chiropractic Section of the 2002 Occupational Outlook Handbook (posted 2/22/04)
• Analysis of the Chiropractic Section of the 2010-11 Occupational Outlook Handbook (posted 7/11/10)

Victim Reports and Other Personal Experiences    

• Canadian Chiropractor Sued after Child Is Paralyzed (posted 10/18/01)
• How a Chiropractor Scared Me into Coming Back (posted 1/4/00)
• How a Chiropractor Ruined My Life (posted 6/11/01)
• "Only" $2,597 for Intensive Chiropractic Care (posted 6/26/01)
• The Job Interview I Didn't Have (updated 7/12/01)
• My Experience with an Unethical Chiropractor (posted 9/15/02)
• Why I Quit Chiropractic (updated 12/30/07)
• Chiropractic Victim Support Group (updated 2/11/00)

Journal Articles    

• A Scientific Test of Chiropractic's Subluxation Theory (1973) (posted 11/1/98)
• Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Back Pain (link to another site)
• Significant Journal Abstracts (updated 10/22/03)
• Interview of Dr. Stephen Barrett (ACA Journal of Chiropractic (1983) (posted 12/1/98)

Investigative Reports    

• Undercover Investigations (updated 9/14/04)
• Dr. Barrett's Visit to a "Straight" Chiropractor (updated 9/11/98)
• Dr. Kinsinger's Experiences with Eight Chiropractors (updated 12/21/03)
• Kurt Youngmann's Chiropractic Experience (posted 9/23/02)
• How Five Chiropractors Misdiagnosed a Healthy Child (posted 9/14/04)
• "Dr. Bob" Martin's online nutrition tests (posted 2/19/00)
• Chiropractors Wangle Medicare Windfall (1972) (posted 11/6/98)
• Inside View of the American Chiropractic Association (1981) (posted 11/5/98)
• Inside View of a Chiropractic Office (posted 7/14/97)
• A Close Look at a Chiropractic "Nutrition" Seminar (1988) (posted 11/22/99)
• Some Notes on Kurt W. Donsbach, D.C. (link to another site)
• Some Notes on the Activities and Credential of Jay Holder, D.C. (updated 2/24/00)
• Some Notes on Fred L. Stoner, D.C., and Applied Kinesiology (posted 4/28/01)
• Chiropractic's Subluxation-Based "Guidelines"
• Manipulating Children: Pediatric Chiropractic: Bogus Diagnoses, Illegal Machines, and Useless Treatments (link to another site)
• Analysis of a Misleading Chiropractic Article in a Major Medical Journal (posted 3/19/03)
• Silly Chiropractic Advice about Obesity Prevention (posted 4/12/03)
• The Shady History of Royal Lee and Standard Process Laboratories (link to Quackwatch)

Questionable Diagnostic and Treatment Practices   

• Active Release Techniques (posted 1/23/08)
• Activator Methods (updated 3/25/06)
• Advanced BioStructural Correction (posted 3/7/03)
• Alphabiotics (posted 2/12/02)
• Applied Kinesiology (updated 11/23/00)
• Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.ST.) (posted 12/17/99)
• Biological Terrain Assessment (updated 9/15/98)
• BioSET (bioenergetic sensitivity and enzyme therapy) (posted 10/26/02)
• Blind Spot Mapping (posted 3/2/03)
• BodyBest Harmonic Holographic Healing System
• Chirodontics
• Chiropractic BioPhysics (updated 4/5/09)
• Colon Therapy and Related Quackery (posted 8/29/98)
• Concept Therapy
• Contact Reflex Analysis (updated 8/29/09)
• Contour Analysis, also called moire contourography (posted 10/11/97)
• Craniosacral Therapy (updated 7/7/03)
• Electrodermal Testing (updated 11/16/98)
• Enzyme Replacement System
• Gastrointestinal Quackery: Colonics Laxatives, and More (updated 5/21/10)
• Hair analysis (updated 1/3/99)
• Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake (updated 10/4/07)
• Inclinometry Overuse
• Insight 7000 to detect "subluxations" (link to another site)
• Iridology (updated 1/22/07)
• Laser Facelifts (link to another site)
• Live Blood Cell Analysis (updated 12/29/06)
• Logan Method
• Meric System
• Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET) (updated 10/26/02)
• Network Chiropractic
• Nervo-Scope (updated 10/13/00)
• Neural Organization Technique (NOT)
• Neuro Emotional Technique (NET)
• NeuroCranial Restructuring (posted 4/24/03)
• NUCCA procedures (link to another site)
• Nutrabalance (link to Quackwatch)
• Nutrition: Dubious Chiropractic Practices
  • Steer Clear of "Chiropractic Nutrition" (updated 9/2/02)
  • Views of ACA Council on Nutrition President (1992) (posted 10/7/01)
• Objective Straight Chiropractic
• Pro-Adjustor (link to another site)
• Sacro-Occiptal Technique
• Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System (link to another site)
• Spinal Analysis Machine (S.A.M.) (updated 12/29/99)
• Spinal Decompression Therapy (updated 12/19/09) FEATURE
• Spinal Manipulation under Anesthesia (link to another site)
• Surface Electromyography (SEMG) (updated 4/15/05)
• Thermography (updated 8/9/07)
• Toftness Radiation Detector (updated 7/31/03)
• Ultrasound Testing: Inappropriate Use (updated 6/3/99)
• "Veterinary Chiropractic" (updated 12/16/00)
• Videofluoroscopy: Inappropriate Use (updated 2/6/02)
• Webster Technique: An Offshoot of "Chiropractic Pediatrics" (posted 3/6/03)
• Whitcomb Technique (for fibromyalgia) (posted 11/18/08)
• X-ray Overuse (link to another site)

Insurance Issues  

• A Special Message for Insurance Claims Examiners (to be posted)
• American Specialty Health Network Excludes Many"Complementary" Methods (posted 3/15/07)
• Be Wary of "No Out-of-Pocket Expense" Offers (posted 3/15/04)
• Some Notes on Subluxations and Medicare (posted 11/22/98)
• Comparison of Medicare Managed Care and Fee-for-Service Costs (OIG Report) (posted 12/23/03)
• Medicare Chiropractic Billling Policies Revised (posted 10/2/04)
• Aetna's Chiropractic Coverage Policy (link to Aetna site)
• How to Spot a Personal Injury Mill (link to Quackwatch)
• Insurance Fraud Cases Involving Chiropractors (updated 6/7/00)
• Allstate Sues to Recover Many Millions (posted 12/30/99)
• Chiropractor Convicted of Chelation Fraud (updated 1/13/04)
• Ron Halstead and Two Other Chiropractors Convicted in Health Fraud Scheme (posted 2/16/03)
• Chiropractors Excluded from Federally Funded Health Care Programs (link to OIG site)
• Chiropractic Care: Controls Used by Medicare, Medicaid, and Other Payers (link to OIG report)
• New California Law Limits Workers' Compensation Visits to Chiropractors (posted 10/8/03)
• Contracts for Providing Unlimited Chiropractic Care May Be Illegal (posted 5/6/07)
• Alberta Expert Advisory Panel Report on Chiropractic (2002) (posted 6/16/08)
• Is It Legal to Give a Discount When Patients Pay Cash? (posted 2/17/09)

Ads and Brochures: Past and Present   

• Educators Blast Mainstream Chiropractic Brochures (updated 3/6/04) FEATURE
• Advertising Gimmicks (posted 5/20/97)
• "Free Preliminary Spinal Examination" (posted 10/11/97)
• "Mommy My Ears Hurt" (posted 6/3/97)
• What Health Problems Do Chiropractors Treat? (1971) (posted 11/18/98)
• "Discount" for Advance Payment (1971) (posted 7/5/01)
• Puffery from the 1950s (posted 11/6/98)
• The Journal of Micro-Dynameter Research (1954) (posted 12/29/99)
• "Why Choose a Chiropractor to Be Your Family Doctor?" (posted 11/13/98)
• Chiropractor Disciplined for Misleading Advertising (revised 1/2/07)
• How Some Chiropractors Denigrate Prescription Drug Use (5/3/05)
• Share International's Fraudulent Ad System (posted 1/3/07) NEW
• FTC Drops Koren Investigation (updated 1/16/10)
• British Advertising Standards Authority Objects to Koren Brochure (link to Casewatch)

Chiropractic Education    

• A Warning for Pre-Chiropractic Students (posted 3/22/99) FEATURE
• The Student Loan Mess: Why Chiropractic Is in Trouble (posted 4/23/03)
• Requirements for Admission to Schools of Chiropractic (JAMA 1964) (posted 8/3/99)
• Educational Background of Chiropractic School Faculties (JAMA 1966) (posted 8/4/99)
• Dr. Homola's Chiropractic School Experience (posted 3/7/05)
• Canadian Professors Visit Three Chiropractic Schools (1962) (posted 9/7/04)
• Visit to a Chiropractic College (Medical Economics 1968) posted 11/24/98)
• Recent Visits to Two Chiropractic Colleges (updated 12/13/01)
• Improper Claims on Chiropractic College Web Sites (posted 3/6/04)
• Overview of Chiropractic Philosophy Taught in Chiropractic Colleges (posted 3/21/05)
• Chiropractic Educators Comment on Current and Future Chiropractic Education (posted 4/2/06)
• Chiropractic Admission Standands Lowest among Health Professionals (posted 12/24/01)
• Life University:
  • Some Notes on Its Assembly and "Money Hum" (updated 8/26/01)
  • Administrators' Salary Criticized as Exhorbitant (posted 2/17/00)
  • Life University College of Chiropractic Placed on Probation (posted 6/17/01)
  • A Brief Query to "Dr. Sid" (posted 12/20/01)
  • An Open Letter to Life University Students (updated 5/28/03)
  • Life Life University Loses CCE Accreditation (updated 11/6/02)
  • Students Sue Life University (posted 10/11/02)
  • CCE Issues Open Letter about Life University (posted 11/13/02)
• Sherman College Placed on Probation (posted 6/29/08)
• Controversy Erupts over Proposed Chiropractic College at Florida State University (posted 12/31/04)
• Council on Chiropractic Education Standards (link to CCE site)
• Unscientific Teachings at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (updated 12/12/99) FEATURE
• Licensing Exam Results for Candidates from Different Schools (link to another site)

Consumer Strategy/Consumer Protection    

• Low Back Pain
  • A Medical Perspective (updated 5/18/99)
  • AHCPR Consumer Booklet (posted 11/5/98)
  • AHCPR Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians (posted 11/11/98)
• Scoliosis: A Medical Perspective (posted 1/14/98)
• What a Rational Chiropractor Can Do for You (updated 5/19/99) FEATURE
• Tips on Choosing a Chiropractor (updated 1/2/99)
• Orthopractic Guidelines for Manual Therapy Practice (posted 11/11/98)
• Chiropractic Guidelines and Referral Directory (61 chiropractors) (updated 10/27/08) FEATURE
• Answers to Questions about Chiropractic (updated 8/21/08) FEATURE
• Don't Pay or Contract in Advance for Chiropractic Visits at a "Discount" Price (posted 3/3/09)
• What to Do If a Chiropractor "Quacks" You (revised 6/26/02)

Early Chiropractic History    

• A Brief History of Chiropractic's Discovery (D.D. Palmer, 1910) (posted 11/26/98)
• What Can Chiropractors Treat? (B.J. Palmer, 1906) (posted 11/11/98)
• Palmer School of Chiropractic Catalog (1922) (posted 8/12/10)
• Observations by H.L. Mencken (1924) (posted 11/23/98)
• The Basis of Chiropractic (Morris Fishbein, M.D.,1932) (posted 11/27/98)
• Chiropractic Theory and Practice (1939) (posted 5/20/04)
• Early Chiropractic Opposition to Vaccination (1942) (posted 3/28/05)
• Chiropractic Insurance Abuse in the 1960s (posted 11/8/98)
• Report of the National Advisory Commission on Health Manpower (1967) (posted 5/27/02)
• The Incredible Drown Case (1968) (posted 12/5/98)
• The Spine Salesmen (1976) (posted 6/9/01)
• The Barrett/Hoppenstein/Sportelli/Wilk Debate (David Susskind Show, (1981) (posted 4/17/00)
• What Are the Chiropractors Trying to Hide? (1983) (to be posted)

Book Reports     

• Chiropractic: The Greatest Hoax of the Century? (book review) (posted 12/273/07)
• New Book Hits Chiropractic Misconduct (posted 12/5/02)
• C.J. Mertz and "The World's Best Kept Health Secret" (posted 4/7/04)

Books (Full-Text)     

• At Your Own Risk: The Case against Chiropractic (1969) (updated 2/11/99) FEATURE
• Bonesetting, Chiropractic, and Cultism (1963) (updated 2/8/00) FEATURE
• Ethnography of a Chiropractic Clinic (1975) (posted 3/17/00) FEATURE
• Library of Early Books on Manual Therapy in America (link to another site)
• The Science of Chiropractic (DD Palmer, 1906) (posted 8/12/10)
• Firth's Text-Book of Chiropractic Symptomatology (1913) (posted 1/13/08)
• Vedder's Chiropractic Physiology (1916) (posted 8/12/10)
• Anatomy (Mabel Palmer, 1920) (posted 8/12/10)
• Clinical Guidelines for Chiropractic Practice in Canada (1994) (link to another site)

Government Reports    

• The Scientific Brief Against Chiropractic (1963) (posted 11/23/98) FEATURE
• Independent Practitioners under Medicare (HEW Report, 1968) (updated 3/16/00)
• AHCPR Report on Chiropractic Training, Practice, and Research (1997) (updated 11/3/98)
• Medicare Utilization Parameters for Chiropractic Treatments (1999) (PDF document)
• Chiropractic Services in the Medicare Program: Patient Vulnerability Analysis (2005) (posted 7/5/05)
• Chiropractic Benefit Services Malpractice Benefit Program (link to another site)
• U.S. House of Representatives Hearing on Chiropractic Services for Veterans (link to another site)
• The New Zealand Chiropractic Report: An Evaluation (1980) (posted 6/9/01)

Legal, Political, and Regulatory Matters    

• AMA Antitrust Suit (updated 11/12/98)
• Bizarre Therapy Leads to Patient's Death (posted 7/6/03)
• California Voters Attack Chiropractic Insurance Fraud (posted 3/12/02)
• Can Physical Therapists Be Barred from Treating "Subluxations"? (posted 2/12/02)
• Chiropractic Board Trying to Stop Physical Therapists from Manipulating (posted 9/30/03)
• Appeals Court Overturns $285,019 Award to Former Chiropractic Students (updated 3/31/02)
• Affidavit of Julie Bernet (a Former Cleveland Chiropractic College Student) (posted 8/13/99)
• Chiropractic Magazine Publisher Charged with Defrauding Postal Service (revised 2/16/03)
• False Claims Halted for Pain-Relief Device (posted 12/27/99)
• Bruce Hedendal Sentenced for Tax Evasion (revised 10/23/04)
• ICA Report to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (posted 3/12/01)
• Libel Suit against Tedd Koren, DC (updated 6/9/08)
• Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says Chiropractors May Not Use Term "Physical Therapy" (link to another site)
• Scope of Chiropractic Practice in State Licensing Laws (to be posted)
• Hearing on Veterans Health Administration and Chiropractic Care (updated 10/22/00)
• Wisconsin Chiropractors Agree to Settle FTC Price-Fixing Charges (link to another site)
• Chiropractor Suspended for Excessive Care (posted 4/23/03)
• Disciplinary Action against Harold J. Dykema, D.C. (posted 7/22/03)
• Disciplinary Action against Ogi Ressel, D.C.(updated 2/18/06)
• AK/CRA Practitioner's License Revoked (posted 2/18/06)
• Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Advisory Report Nears Completion (posted 10/28/03)
• Delusional Chiropractor Loses License (posted 11/17/06)
• Chiropractors Convicted of Tax Evasion or Other Financial Crimes (updated 6/9/09)
• Former NC Legislator, Bribed by Chiropractors, Sentenced to Prison (posted 7/18/07)
• Stroke caused by neck manipulation triggers class-action lawsuit (revised 1/21/10)
• Kansas Bans Use of Term "Chiropractic Physician" (posted 2/25/09)
• Chiropractic Clinic Accused for Predatory Lending Involving Health Care Credit Cards (posted 8/13/09)
• UK Guidance Statement on Vertebral Subluxation Complex Claims (posted 9/9/10)

Miscellaneous Chiropractic Documents    

• Chiropractic State of the Art, 1994-1995 (American Chiropractic Association booklet)
• "Conditions That May Indicate You Have a Spinal Subluxation" (posted 6/21/06)
• Massachusetts Chiropractic Board "Fact Sheet" (posted 12/12/99)
• FCER Fundraising Appeal for Subluxation Research (posted 12/24/98)
• Manga Reports [1993] [1998]
• Chiropractic History: A Primer
• Symptoms of Spinal Misalignment Questionnaire (download PDF)
• American Association of Chiropractic Colleges Position Paper #1: The Chiropractic Paradigm.

Responses to Chirobase and/or Quackwatch    

• How Chiropractors Generally Respond to Criticism (posted 12/20/98)
• Comments from Chiropractic Practitioners, Students, and Employees (updated 1/18/10) FEATURE
• Correspondence with James Winterstein, D.C. (posted 5/1/04]
• Central New Jersey Chiropractic Society (posted 6/6/01) FEATURE

Links to Chiropractic Web Sites    

• Chirotalk (skeptical discussion forum)
• Educational Agencies, Schools, and Seminars (updated 3/6/04)
• Insurance-Related Sites (updated 11/8/04)
• Organizations (updated 1/13/04)
• Practice-Builders (updated 7/2/09)
• Publications (updated 6/17/08)
• Regulatory Agencies (updated 8/27/09)
• Software Venders (updated 2/05/06)
• Suppliers (updated 2/5/06)
• Techniques (updated 6/11/04)
• Miscellaneous Links (updated 6/24/03)
• Individual Chiropractors and Clinics (235 sites, updated 2/28/10) FEATURE
• Index to Chiropractic Literature

Ring Membership

• Anti-Quackery Ring (health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies)
  Navigate: Next Site || Previous Site || Random || Next 5 || All Sites
• Skeptic Ring (health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies)
  Navigate: Next Site || Previous Site || Random || Next 5 || All Sites

Chirobase home page visitors since 6/16/03:

Portions of Chirobase are updated about once a month.
Most recent update: September 9, 2010
Site indexing is done daily at 5:00 AM

All articles on this Web site except government reports are copyrighted.

Single copies can be downloaded for personal education; other uses without authorization are illegal.
"Quackwatch" and the duck picture are service-marked; their unauthorized use is illegal.
Site design was developed by Marty Mapes of Boulder Information Services.

Make a Donation  |  Search All of Our Sites and Affiliates  |  Home

Links to Recommended Companies