CynRN

Let's re-visit this topic in Feb when the Spine publication comes out.  It's clear that you do not understand or appreciate the positive impact of the manual medicine, including joint manipulation.  But, I can tell you from my experience thus far, many "intractable" neurological and orthopaedic conditions that have been referred for surgery are simply neuromuscular imbalances that are very treatable by chiropractic care and manual therapies.  Maybe it's time to revisit the notion that DCs just "crack backs".

Regarding your comment on the possible side effects (headaches, dizziness, numbness), pale in comparison to the side effects of many medications used to treat pain syndromes.  Now, to clarify, I'm not against medications at all, however to fear manual therapy, including manipulation, is not supported by the research.  To call my profession a pseudoscience shows either a lack of awareness of chiropractic in 2008 or ignorance (take your pick).  In an evidence-based era, no health profession can escape the responsibility to demonstrate  clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness through research.  I suggest you start reading manual medicine journals so that you can better inform your colleagues of contemporary physical/manual medicine practice.