Anti-chiropractic
books

Why are we including these books? Despite the growing popularity of chiropractic, there are still a few critics who refuse to enter the 21st century in their thinking about health. It’s important to know what these books say so you can counter their arguments. However, don't put money in their pockets. Whenever possible, buy USED copies of these books! Some are available for as low as a penny from Amazon.com (just about what they're worth!).

The best thing about these books is the response from readers -- most know immediately that they can't be trusted! If you buy any of these, be sure to leave YOUR review on amazon.com.

Chiropractic: The Victim's Perspective
-- by George Magner and Stephen Barrett
 
This one is by Stephen Barrett -- which tells you just about everything you need to know about it! It's so bad that it rates only 1-1/2 stars (out of 5) on amazon.com.  Buy it USED from amazon.com for 1-cent!

Here are a few excerpts from Amazon reviews:

"I am not a chiropractor and I have never set foot inside a chiropractic office. I don't know about chiropractic, so I got this book and some others. Unfortunately, this book was so biased that I question the validity of any of its information. Initially, it seems impressive that the author has 272 references. However, the majority of these are not studies showing detrimental effects of chiropractic. They are quotes the author has taken from chiropractic sources (most likely out of context), and marketing material directed towards chiropractors. Ten of his remaining references were authored by Dr. Barrett, who edited this book and five more were written by William T. Jarvis, whose glowing review is featured on the back cover of this book along with Charles DuVall's review, who is also found as a reference. What a surprise that they would like this book."

"Although the book does have some valid points and some useful information, its approach and attitude was sophomoric. Bad points can be raised about any group ... Does this mean that any group that has a bad apple is an entirely sour bunch? I think not. After reading this book it is apparent that the authors and editor have a personal or even vengeful agenda to discredit an entire profession. Their anger and biased nature oozes through each page."

"A very silly book, obvious propaganda, Manger certainly has an agenda. I'm very aware that medicine has a dismal record when it comes to back problems (I know... I'm an Internist). I've referred many to chiropractors and have received marvelous feedback. Pain which had been present for years had resolved in a relatively short time. This is after the patient (or insurance) spent countless thousands on PT, MRIs, Cat Scans etc. If this book keeps potential patients away from a very probable method to relieve symptoms, then Manger is "Doing Harm." Isn't the patients welfare the primary concern? Not with Manger, and his buddies... especially Barrett and Hamola. Lastly ...a suggestion to these "quackwatch" people: Learn to write intelligently, the public are not fools!"

Inside Chiropractic: A Patient's Guide
-- by Samuel Homola and Stephen Barrett
 
Another "quackbuster" book filled with inaccurate information. Sadly, some people actually read and believe this stuff. Buy it USED from amazon.com.
 
Some excerpts of amazon.com reviews:

"Samuel Homola's views are harmful and may prevent the reader from seeking greatly needed chiropractic care. I have been under chiropractic wellness care since birth. My health has been above average. I am still the only person I know that has not taken an antibiotic. I will if need be, but I will continue to maintain optimum health with my regular chiropractic adjustments!"

"Mark Twain once warned about reading medical books, that one can die from a misprint. Had he encounter someone like Barrett, he might have issued this warning: be careful of quack-busters, you can die from terminal misinformation."

"It is amazing that someone could be published with so little proven group study and with such outdated information. I have experienced the wonderful effects of corrective chiropractic treatment and am a believer due to personal experience.... What a load of bosh this book is and I feel I actually got stupider reading it."

"Ask yourself this...'Why would someone waste 43 years of his life just to write this book?'"

The Naked Chiropractor Insider's Guide to Combating Quackery and Winning the War Against Pain
-- by Preston H. Long
 
Just more of the same. However, this one actually managed to rate 3-1/2 stars on amazon.com! Buy USED from amazon.com

"With all the sound scientific research out there about the benefits of chiropractic, it's hard for me to believe that people still adhere to the 1800's quackery myth. Chiropractic is not a cult, a religion, a scam, etc. It is science at its best. If you read this incredibly biased and incomplete book, please take the time to do some scientific research on the subject as well. I did not find this book to be a good resource at all. It's quite paranoid and full of holes to say the least."

"This book is filled with the same old lies that have been peddled before. If chiropractic is so dangerous, why do they have one of the lowest malpractice insurance payments in the health care industry? ... No doubt there are bad chiropractors, just as there are bad physicians, plumbers, teachers, etc. Every field has its losers and scammers. But most of Long's statistics and information seems out-dated, unsubstantiated, and misleading."

"This is a complete 180 degree away from the truth. If you want to see who is working for the $ then look no further then Preston Long, PhD. Not just some of this book is lies but all of it. If you read James Chestnut, DC's book the "14 Premises" then you would have the complete scientific proof behind how chiropractic works and helps the body to improve its health and well-being!"

Spin Doctors: The Chiropractic Industry Under Examination
by Paul Benedetti and Wayne MacPhail
 
Canadian version of the anti-chiropractic message. Most reviewers gave it just 1 star! Buy it USED from amazon.com.

"This is the type of medical attack, that has tried to denigrate chiropractic for over 100 years. If you hold the medical profession to the same candle, you will ignite a flame for thousands of years. I am more than a little tired of quasi-scientists trying to make a buck off of a professional."

"What caught my eye as a potentially interesting book regarding an 'expose' into chiropractic turned out to be nothing more than a witch hunt based on biases and misrepresentation. As I read through the chapters, I started to get an impression that these authors were willing to base ... claims on little or partial pieces of evidence simply to make the book more tantalizing."

The Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America
-- by Steven Barrett and William T. Jarvis

As of the day we are writing this, 9 out of 16 reviewers give this book 1 star! Buy it USED from amazon.com.

"According to web sources, Mr. Barrett has long given up his medical license, and was never even a certified psychiatrist. It seems that he has given expert advice, in court, under false pretenses. I was rather appalled to find out about this."

"This book is well written, but is severely biased towards conventional American medical practices. The author has no understanding or experience with the different types of medicine he describes, and has very little understanding of the healing process and how to work with it. Read it but be very cautious of his bias."

"Dr. Barrett issues venom upon ANYTHING he considers alternative medicine to gain public attention and this book is no exception. If you see government plots underneath your pillow, then this paranoid peice of misinformation will be right up your alley. For the rest of you, check more reputable sources. Webmd.com, for example, is building a relatively large database of articles on alternative health care."