The Irony Is Thick
Dear Editor:
I appreciate that your March issue posted a disclaimer to the article; "ICA Goes on the Vaccine Offensive," stating it is being provided without endorsement.
To see the ICA promote a debunked "Anti-Vaxx" film still claiming autism-related issues is downright embarrassing. If the author, Corey B. Rodnick, DC, of the ICA calls us to action to buy this DVD and support the hysterical conspiracy nuts, I would urge a call to action to leave the ICA in droves.
Vaccination works. The science is irrefutable. For a profession that claims to know a lot about the spine, it would be nice if we actually had one. For too long, our universities, in fear of angering ideologue "straight" chiropractor donors, have avoided taking a stand on immunological science.
The greatest discoveries in prolonging life in the world's history have been the discovery of antiseptics, antibiotics and immunization. We are the only profession which still lives in the 1700s, when folks made fun of Dr. Edward Jenner's "new-fangled" smallpox vaccination with cartoons of cow's heads popping out of vaccinated arms. Yet, there we are.
The ACA avoids the topic. The ICA, ever forging backward, picks the anti-science side to champion. Is it any wonder our profession is treated like the bastard-child of the health care professions when we actually dwell in the archaic Dark Ages of superstition and junk-science?
I would urge our doctors to pat the ICA on its head and quietly send it packing. We claim to be champions of natural healing and then refuse to accept the one aspect of allopathic medicine which actually triggers our body to naturally make antibodies, thus granting immunity so we won't need heavy drug therapies from the diseases conquered by vaccination. The irony is thick. So is the stupidity.
Garth Aamodt, DC
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Time We Stand & Serve
Dear Editor:
It is time we stand and serve those who have served so hard to protect this country by educating our elected congressional leaders that chiropractic is an integral part of the health care system and needs to be included in the Armed Forces, TRICARE and Veterans Affairs.
Too often our soldiers go without proper chiropractic treatment, allowing the injury to worsen and leaving the only option as medical intervention that includes opioids and/or surgery. Let's give this nation another option.
It is time to educate and lobby for our profession. However, this time we need to be different. This time, we need to lobby ourselves with our patients and local veterans. This time, we need not think of ourselves, but think about those we can serve and those who want another option other than medical intervention.
The grassroots approach Is simple and doesn't take much effort. Reach out to your local VA facilities, VFWs, American Legion groups, and current patients, educating them on how chiropractic treatment can change lives by helping those in the Armed Forces.
You may be surprised to learn how many families you treat currently have members serving abroad who desperately want / need chiropractic care. Call and/or write your U.S. senators and representatives, educating them on the importance of chiropractic treatment for our nation's heroes; and get your patients to do the same. If Congress hears enough interest, it will react.
In addition, visit the Patriot Project's website, www.patriot-project.org, to learn more about their grassroots approach to chiropractic care for our troops, veterans and wounded warriors. Caring for our nation's heroes is both an honor and a privilege. These individuals have made sacrifices too many of us take for granted.
John Curtin, DC
Lake St. Louis, Mo.