John Adams, D.C. on March 27, 2001

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

Hi. I am Dr. John Adams. I practice chiropractic in Colorado. Drug reactions and medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in United States, killing more people than handguns and car accidents. As a nation, we spend $76 billion a year cleaning problems that medical drugs cause. We rank near the lowest of all countries in morbidity and mortality, and yet the federal government invests $7 billion a year to train medical residents, and gives several billion dollars a year to medical schools for research.

Alternative health care, on the other hand, is extremely safe, cost effective, and gets people well. One need only look at a comparison of malpractice insurance rates between a doctor of medicine and a doctor of chiropractic to see how much safer a non-invasive approach is.

There are numerous studies validating the effectiveness of natural health care. A retrospective study of nearly 3,000 patients of network spinal analysis practitioners is a perfect example. Over three-quarters of the patients studied reported improvements in all categories assessed, including improved physical state, improved mental and emotional state, improved response to stress, improved life enjoyment, and improved overall quality of life.

If a safer and more effective choice for health care exists, why don't the majority of Americans of use it? I believe it is due to generations of drug advertising and television programming. From "Marcus Welby, M.D." to "ER," Americans have been taught a faulty paradigm for decades. They are saturated with the idea that health comes from the outside, and nearly always in the form of drugs and surgery. How do we change this? Through the same medium, television.

My first proposal is that we stop advertising drugs the same way we stopped advertising tobacco and alcohol. Surely, the statistics show that drugs are deadly. Why not treat drugs for what they are, and stop portraying people who take them as intelligent, sophisticated, and healthy.

My second proposal is that we teach the public a new concept wellness through a television drama series, featuring and teaching alternative health. Currently, the federal government pumps billions of dollars into a failing medical system. Why not take a small fraction of that money and invest in an exciting and innovative program that demonstrates that true health care begins well before it disease starts.

This show can teach people that a new, exciting form of health care exists, one that acknowledges and assists their body's innate intelligence to help express their true health potential. I challenge anyone here to find a faster, more effective and affordable way to change the health paradigm of this nation.

I have written an novel called "The Power." It is a suspense thriller featuring chiropractic. I have given each of you a copy. I hope that you will read it and enjoy it, but more importantly, see it as an example of the type of educational entertainment that could help reinvent our nation's health care system. Thank you for your time.

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