February 2003

ACA issues statement on Showtime program

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) issued a statement on the Showtime “Penn & Teller: Bull----!” episode on alternative medicine aired on January 31. “Chiropractic medicine” is one of the topics or targets that was looked at.

In the statement, the ACA said, “We recognize the First Amendment right to expose questionable practices, particularly in the ‘most jaw-dropping fashion possible…with wit and off-center comedy.’

“Our concern is with public accountability and fairness. More than 26 million Americans go to doctors of chiropractic each year. The issue is their health and well-being.

“Responsible medical researchers and institutions have concluded that chiropractors have superior education, knowledge and training in care of the musculoskeletal system and that medical physicians have a glaring competency gap in this same area. Tests given by the most reputable medical sources indicate that 82 percent of medical school graduates flunk a basic exam on this system(s) that comprises 60 percent of all body systems and the problems of which comprise more than 20 percent of all visits to medical physicians.

“The American Chiropractic Association stands ready to cooperate in any legitimate effort to improve public health and to expose illegal or unethical conduct. Proper and fair education of the public is always welcome. Comedy lightens our spirit.”

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