PT Whore of the Month Club #4

As we catch up with our PT "Whore of the Month" Club award winners, we have named the April 2008 winner below. Before we do that, I will call attention to the ongoing debate about the name of the award itself, which continues to receive much scrutiny (which we welcome) as you can see from the comments posted to the March 2008 winner. We are still not convinced that the name should be changed but appreciate that the name is not endorsed by 100% of our readers. Btw, in response to some of the comments, we have issue whatsoever in naming a female for this award since definition #4 below applies. The fact that only males have previously won is pure coincidence and no indication of reverse discrimination whatsoever. Please send along some deserving female candidates and we'd be glad to include them to the list.

Without further adue, the April 2008 winner of the PT "Whore of the Month" Club is...drumroll please...

All chiropractors who think they can do "physical therapy"

As you can see from websites like this, many chiropractors have been deluded into thinking they can provide "physical therapy", as if physical therapy was constituted in its essence by a "grab bag" of treatments, as opposed to itself a profession with professional boundaries such as licensure. Of course, states like Maryland (and the physical therapist whores who perpetuate this idea) whose chiropractic practice acts permit such a masquerade are acting whorish themselves.

The good news for physical therapists is that there are all sorts of reasons not to become a chiropractor, not the least of which is that chiropractic was recently named to US News and World Report's "Most Overrated Profession" list. All in all there are far more reasons to feel sorry for the chiropractic profession than feel threatened. Check out this video from Dr. Bill Kinsinger if you'd like a succinct overview of some of the major problems in chiropractic. It's well worth your watch.

Keep sending in your ideas via email at info@evidenceinmotion.com or feel free to post as comments!

The EIM Team

 

Previous PT Whore of the Month Winners:

Jan 2008 - WebPT - PT Whore of the Month Club #1

Feb 2008 - Paul Duxbury - PT Whore of the Month Club #2

Mar 2008 - Alan Tyson - PT Whore of the Month Club #3

Disclaimer:

In the event that anyone is concerned with our use of the word "Whore", we are referring to definition #4 below.

whore-

1. a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse, usually for money; prostitute; harlot; strumpet.

2. to act as a whore.

3. to consort with whores.

–verb (used with object)

4. Obsolete. to make a whore of; corrupt; debauch.

Comments

[Christie Downing]

A "grab bag" of tricks is an accurate way in which I think many in the DC profession view physical therapy. As I have networked on question/answer websites and the such, I have actually become acquainted with and enjoy rational discussions with ONE particular chiropractor I keep in my fanclub. Upon our discussions, he was able to reveal to me what becoming "rehab" certified means for chiropractors. This option, availabe in some chiropractic colleges is bascially no more than a modalities class with some strength training principles tossed in. I was appalled that this is what the profession veiws REAHB as being. It's funny how we, as physical therapists, are quickly abadnoning such pracitices (modalities...at least I hope we are)while DCs not only continue to embrace them, but somehow find it necessary to become "certified" in their application. Furthermore, that the concept of "strength training" somehow implies a rehabilitative process is going on without first understanding how functional limitations and strength deficits play upon each other. Rather, it seems like a "throw it against the wall and see what sticks" type of mentality. If strength were the only issue, then a physical therapist might as well be a personal trainer. (In fact, I think many PTs are in danger of following this path as well without really thinking critically about what they are doing). In the end, I think it is merely a way for DCs to claim they do "physical therapy" which, unfortunately, the public does not really have a concept of what physical therapy really is. Meanwhile, the DC can double charge for "physical therapy" and chiropractic care...what a scam.

I'll end with a short story. When I was 17, I worked as a tech for a chiropractor (gasp!). I distinctly remember answering the phone one day to a caller who questioned whether we did "physical therapy." I said, no, this was a chiroptactor's office and we do not have any physical therapists employed here. Well, the phone was quickly yanked (and I do mean yanked) out of my hand by the office manager and DC who redirected the caller that we did, indeed, offer physical therapy...ultrasound, electrical stim, etc. It's funny how back then, even I knew what physical therapy was or wasn't and how profound that little interaction would have on the future of both professions.

[Carina Lowry]

OK...I have to say that I completely support this award this month.

Furthermore, this really makes me laugh: "We provide advanced spinal correction utilizing "state of the art" chiropractic techniques. Never in the history of chiropractic have we been able to provide the level of help and expertise that now exists."

That's because the techniques have changed? Or because they think that there is actually some pseudoscience behind their adjustments?

I also think it's quite funny all of the modalities they listed. By the time the pt gets finished with an adjustment and 7 modalities, the neurophysiological effect of the manip is long gone and the pt's poor little nervous system is so wound up from all of the stimulation that they of course need to come back 3 x per week for the next 5 years to get it all over again.

Wow. I continue to be amazed insurers actually pay for this.

Carina

[Jon Newman]

Since exploiting a pejorative title for a group of people to make political points isn't convincing maybe something more elementary will be.

You claim to be using "whore" as transitive verb (fourth definition) but continually use it as a noun (the first definition.)

Is it possible to resubmit the contributions with the appropriate corrections? The legitimate issues you bring up loose some of their edge (for me) when contrasted against language usage.

[John Ware]

Point is: you're not going to get any female recommendations for the "award". Who's going to want to be the one to identify the first female "whore of the month"? Then, you'll be getting posts from Gloria Steinem and the masses from the National Organization of Women (NOW). Who wants to be the target of those people? Who wants to be labeled a "sexist," particularly in a profession that's majority female? Because that's what will happen. It's happening in the Presidential race, why wouldn't it happen here?

Let's try to apply Jon's grammar lesson. If you were to remain consistent with the verb form of speech, then it might not cause all hell to break loose if and when a female does "whore" herself enough to earn the title.

Ouch, that didn't sound very nice.

Lesson's over.

[Nate Hoffman]

First of all, I'd just like to say that I'm on your side; I feel that the "scam" of chiropractors offering "physical therapy" and charging for it is ridiculous. However,
should we really be all that surprised by chiropractors encroaching, albeit pathetically, on what we believe belongs solely to physical therapy? I'm a student right now and don't have my finger directly on the pulse of the DC v PT situation, so anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
In our program, we are taught manipulations, and from what I understand, this is becoming the norm in most, if not all, PT programs. Furthermore, most states permit PT's to manipulate. Point being, chiropractors may view our using traditionally chiropractic techniques in the same way we view their claims to be using "physical therapy."

That being said, with our current health care system, I think we will continue to see more of this. Clients and insurance companies would clearly benefit from a "one-stop-shop," a single location where all the best aspects of both professions can provided by a single health care professional.

In closing, I don't think we have anything to worry about. Chiropractors are a dying breed; fewer and fewer are graduating. I think their practice will eventually, in the distant future, be swallowed up by the Physical Therapist.

[Jon Newman]

Hello Nate,

Using similar techniques is not the same as claiming we are providing "chiropractic" and so chiropractors using that line of argument are simply wrong. Apparently "physical therapy" is not a protected term in Maryland even though "physical therapist" is.

John,

Your point that the correction doesn't sound nice wasn't "loost" on me, but it is consistent with the disclaimer.

I'm the last person that should be making points about grammar, but I was running out of ideas of what might make a convincing argument to change a title.

[cej]

Nate,
It's *great* to read a student posting!! I agree with your assessment. From my perspective, I find it disturbing and often confusing when countless patients tell me 'they have had physical therapy', when follow-up questions reveal it was by a chiropractor. To patients, they don't know any different, but to those of us in healthcare this is blatantly misleading. What about NPs, PAs, MDs, DOs who don't differentiate the two. I have had to correct referring providers that “NO patient X did not see a physical therapist, they saw a chiropractor.
On that note, I do NOT like people to equate my care with chiropractic, let alone mislead people into thinking I “do chiropractic” when performing thrust manipulation. I make it clear several professions are licensed to perform such techniques. Chiros just have done the best marketing. Hands down. ;)

[Rod Henderson, PT, OCS]

Please...please...PLEASE don't stop with this feature. Folks need to keep in mind that it's an opinion and who cares if NOW jumps your case? If the whore happens to be a pedophile are you worried NAMBLA will come calling? Please. Keep doing what you are doing and ignore the detractors. We need more intense policing of our profession and those who threaten it.

[John Ware]

Rod,
I appreciate your intention to stand up for free speech and "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" attitude, but your analogy is lost on me, and seems to detract from my point.

If you want this blog about evidence in physical therapy to turn into a battleground of the sexes, then let's keep the "whore" moniker for this award. Because either one of two things will happen: a) a woman will be named "whore of the month" and an ugly battle will ensue or b)men will continue to be recipients of the award showing that the criteria are sexist to begin with.

It's a no-win word. "Words mean things" and this one's loaded, particularly when you start out by parsing it with its obsolete definition, and then continue to use it in its more conventional version.

Jon's right when he says this is using a pejorative to make political points. Many ugly words have been used throughout history to dehumanize the enemy. Do we want to go down into that gutter?

I'm all for policing, but I'm against Gestapo tactics.

[PaulS]

Has this award acheived adequate understanding to change it to the WOTM?

We all know what ACN stands for.

[Rod Henderson, PT, OCS]

John and Jon. Both your points are well taken. As you know from our discussions I am certainly more of a hawk than a dove on issues such as these and always respect a more tempered persective.

I think the word does to many of us in profession who would like to see these individuals disappear. Calling them a "whore" is akin to dunking on them during a basketball game. Initially it's very gratifying, but it loses it's luster if you are down 20 points in the game. I'd much rather see us winning the game, but I do enjoy a good dunk now and then.

[Jim Estill]

At least Chiropractic and PT are non invasive. THe health world would likely be better if you all got along. Or if you prefer to fight - let the surgeons win.

[Rod Henderson, PT, OCS]

If invasive meant effective I'd be all for letting the surgeons, or anyone else for that matter, win. I'm not in this to be the one who is found to be "right" or to win a game.

[John Ware]

Rod,
I think that guy's just trying to get hits at his website. He's probably a professional lurker, so I'm going to ignore him.

[Don]

So I was looking for the press release cited on the AAOMPT sSIG (http://ssigaaompt.blogspot.com/) Tallahassee, FL, and I came up with a confusing hit that may need an explaination:

http://proactivept.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=27

Which looks oddly like this: http://www.aaompt.org/associations/5938/files/AAOMPT-Press-Release_2.14.08_Final.pdf

Bizzare.

[John Childs]

Don:

No issue with this at all. It's called a professional association (AAOMPT) adding value for its members in the form of press releases that can be customized for one's local market. I am not sure whether or not John Woolf is a member of the AAOMPT, but I would suspect that he is (or is going to join), otherwise he is freeloading on the benefit. Regardless, we hope that there are hundreds of examples like this in which members are using these press releases for their local marketing purposes.

John

[Don]

John,
Look closely at the quotes within the article. Dr. Flynn has been stubstituted by Mr. Woolfe.
Otherwise, AAOMPT promotion I think is great!

[Jason Silvernail]

Don-
A condition of the press releases is that AAOMPT states you may do that to work with your local market, and substitute your name for Dr Flynn's.

At last an organization who helps practitioners by giving them the tools they need to succeed in their local area.

I think the press releases by AAOMPT are great - I print them and post them in my clinic for patients.

[website traffic]

making money playing games is easy

[Ex-Chiro]

Click here to see what practicing and ex-chiropractors think about the profession. It's the largest forum on the internet:

http://www.chirotalk.proboards3.com

[tthom]

I saw this posted today on RehabEdge.. Ex-Chiro, any thoughts?

"Alberta Woman Launches Massive Chiropractic Lawsuit"

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080613/chiro_lawsuit_080613/20080613?hub=Health

[Ex-Chiro]

It's a long shot for sure, but, it sure won't help chiropractic's already tarnished image.

If you peek in Chirotalk, you will see this story has already been posted and comments are beginning to come in.

For practicing chiropractors it's yet another blow to a dying profession.

** ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THIS FORUM **

There are PT's, M.D.'s and other professionals as members in Chirotalk. Would you please register and post your opinions about chiropractic?

Physical Therapy has been mentioned many times.

If you're interested in the political and reimbursable future of physical therapy...I suggest you come over and get involved. Thank you.

- Ex-Chiro
http://www.chirotalk.proboards3.com

[tthom]

CNN to air segment of chiropractic, stroke

CNN’ American Morning is scheduled to air a segment about the purported association between chiropractic cervical manipulation and vertebral artery dissection on June 24.

A CNN production team visited the offices of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and spoke with Kevin Corcoran, executive vice president for advice about how consumers should select a doctor of chiropractic and what they can expect during their first office visit.

To round out the segment, CNN also planned to speak with two doctors of chiropractic, a neurologist, and of a patient who suffered a stroke. ACA is planning to monitor the broadcast and will respond as needed on behalf of the profession.
Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.com

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Here is a link to another CNN article published on March 21, 2008:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/21/healthmag.stroke/index.html

Story Highlights
Women are disproportionately affected by some surprising stroke causesTilting the neck back too far during a salon shampoo can tear arteriesBirth control pills also increase stroke risk, probably related to estrogenRisk is low, but stroke can happen during chiropractic neck adjustment