Occasionally in life there are those times when it all seems to happen the way you hoped it would. Sometimes the events are unexpected. Other times they have been long hoped for and perhaps even forgotten.
Such is the case with the telling of the chiropractic story. For almost 120 years, we have been waiting for an event that would help communicate the truth about chiropractic to the world. There are currently three new documentaries scheduled to be released in the next six months. The first two are already out. All three talk in one way or another about how our current medical model is failing; two focus on chiropractic specifically, as we have highlighted in recent issues.
"Escape Fire"
The first documentary is called "Escape Fire – The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare."1 Here is what the producers say about it: "The present system doesn't work. We need a whole new kind of medicine. We don't have a healthcare system in this country. We have a disease management system. It's generating rivers of money that are flowing into very few pockets. This is not about saving the health of healthcare. It's about saving the health of a nation.
This documentary has already been shown at several film festivals and private screenings, getting great reviews. It was released in major markets on a limited basis earlier this month (Oct. 5, 2012). Eventually, it is expected to end up on cable television and DVD. And while it doesn't include any mention of chiropractic, it does tell the story of a health care system in crisis and our need to find alternatives. This is a nice prelude to the next two documentaries.
"Doctored"
"Doctored - The Movie" (originally titled "Medical, Inc.") is a documentary that tells the chiropractic story from the Wilk, et al., lawsuit to the present.2-5 It is filled with compelling vignettes about people who found healing and health through chiropractic after medicine had failed them. "Doctored" was released first in New York City and then in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago late last month on a limited basis.
Having seen the rough cut, I can tell you that you will want every one of your patients to see this documentary and share it with their friends and co-workers. (As part of its effort to create positive press for chiropractic, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress has received a large number of "Doctored" DVDs that it will be offering to the profession. Look for additional details in print and online at DynamicChiropractic.com soon.)
"Pain in America"
Currently in pre-production and expected to be ready for release in theaters, television, DVD / Blu-Ray and online – early next year,6 "Pain in America" addresses the epidemic of chronic pain and the need for a multidisciplinary solution that includes chiropractic care. Filmmaker Donald Barrett, writer-producer-director of the documentary, is "fully convinced that chiropractic works and deserves better treatment in the general media than it has received" and believes "physicians, chiropractors and other health care professionals will need to work together" to solve the problem.
Planetary Alignment
What is amazing to this reporter is the fact that there are now three documentaries telling the consumer public that our current medical system is not working. Two of these three send a very strong message that chiropractic is an important part of the solution to the American health care crisis.
The Wilk v. AMA lawsuit was filed in 1976.7 While we ultimately won the lawsuit, most of the consumer public never heard anything about it. Now, 36 years later, the strangle hold of the medical model has grown stronger, bringing the health care of America to its knees.
These three documentaries are part of a national conversation by the people of this country who have finally woken up to an ineffective, drug-dependent health system nightmare that is sucking hundreds of billions of dollars from our economy each year. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of the conversation – a conversation you need to be part of.
Your patients are likely already talking about these issues with their friends. You have great insight into how chiropractic is part of the solution. More than ever, it's time to speak up.
References
- "Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare." Visit www.escapefiremovie.com/home to learn more.
- Crownfield P. "Medical, Inc.: Exposing the Modern Medical Monopoly." Dynamic Chiropractic, Jan. 1, 2012.
- Early Footage From 'Medical, Inc.' Documentary." Video presentation. www.dynamicchiropractic.com/video/medical_inc_peter.php
- "Medical, Inc., Documentary Building Momentum." Dynamic Chiropractic, April 3, 2012.
- Sportelli L. "The Tipping Point of Public Relations for Chiropractic May Be Close at Hand." Dynamic Chiropractic, June 17, 2012.
- Crownfield P. "New Documentary to Tout Chiropractic for Chronic Pain." Dynamic Chiropractic, Sept. 23, 2012.
- Pedigo M. "Wilk. vs. AMA: Was It Worth the Fight?" Dynamic Chiropractic, July 13, 1998.
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Click here for more information about Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher.