THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407150029
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
While studying journalism in high school I was taught the ultimate responsibility of a reporter is to write stories which are fair and objective. Where has objectivity gone in the newspaper profession?
For the second time in less than six months, The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star has published an article misrepresenting the alleged dangers of certain chiropractic procedures. The wire-service article ``A dangerous twist'' (June 27) reports a sudden twist of the neck can lead to dissection of the vertebral artery and ultimately a stroke. Supposedly, the most common occurrence was due to chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine. What was not reported was the extreme rarity of this procedure. The incidence of vertebral-artery injury from spinal manipulation is about .0002 percent - that is two cases per million. Other studies have shown the risk rate is even lower.
At the National College of Chiropractic clinics in Chicago, there were approximately 5 million cervical adjustments from 1965-1980 without a single case of vertebral-artery syndrome or stroke. In fact, most of the verified incidences of vertebral-artery syndrome from spinal manipulation were performed by non-chiropractic doctors, i.e., osteopaths, physical therapists, orthopedists, even laypeople.
When compared to medical procedures, chiropractic care is extremely safe. The risk rate of paralysis from neurosurgery for neck pain is about 1.5 percent, or 15,000 per million. The risk rate from chymopapin injections for herniated disks is approximately 1,400 deaths per million. Each year, 1,600 children die from adverse reactions to aspirin. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 1.3 million hospital admissions occur annually resulting from iatrogenic disease (medical-physician induced). In fact, according to studies the 10th leading cause of death in the United States is related to iatrogenic disease. The list could go on and on.
The danger is not with spinal manipulation/adjustments of the neck (you have a greater chance of dying from a bee sting). The danger is that irresponsible journalism will frighten people away from seeking clinically proven, safe and effective chiropractic care to more dangerous, more expensive and less effective medical procedures.
There are risks and limitations inherent in all of the healing arts. It is incumbent on the print media to paint a fair and objective picture to inform their readership, not to shock them and thus scare them away from a proven and effective health-care alternative.
BRAD ROBINSON, D.C.
President
Hampton Roads Chiropractic Association
Norfolk, June 29, 1994 by CNB