LETTER
Osteopathy, Chiropractic, and Spinal Manipulation
Mary Morehouse
15 April 1993 | Volume 118 Issue 8 | Pages 651-653
TO THE EDITOR:
As a graduate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, I was disappointed that Shekelle and colleagues [1] did not mention osteopathic physicians and their contributions to the scientific research on spinal manipulation. Osteopathic physicians are educated to use and understand all current medications, treatment modalities, and surgical procedures for the purpose of fighting disease and supporting the host's physiology, while incorporating the osteopathic philosophy [2, 3].
The first school of osteopathic medicine was founded by Andrew Taylor Still in 1892 at Kirksville, Missouri. Dr. Still's philosophy consisted of four principles: 1) The body is a unit; 2) The body has self-regulating mechanisms; 3) Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated; and 4) Rational treatment is based on the other three principles of the osteopathic philosophy.
Although the benefits of spinal manipulation have been observed by the osteopathic profession and their patients for many years, society and the medical profession have been reluctant to acknowledge it. I hope that, through education and evaluation of past and present scientific research, the osteopathic model will become an accepted, standardized practice in modern medicine.
1. Shekelle PG, Adams AH, Chassin MR, Hurwitz EL, Brook RH. Spinal manipulation for low-back pain. Ann Intern Med. 1992; 117:590-8.
2. Kuchera W. Osteopathic Principles in Practice. Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; 1987:26-31.
3. Kuchera W, Kuchera M. Osteopathic Considerations in Systemic Dysfunction. Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; 1989:3-5.
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