Ruth Sandefur, D.C., Ph.D.
**Comments in red by Stephen Barrett, M.D. A. History and Development of Research 1. Early Investigations and Research “Legitimate, sustained, scientific research in chiropractic is a rather recent phenomenon. However, throughout chiropractic’s 100-year history, the terms ‘research’ and ‘science’ have been among the most popular in the literature of chiropractic and have often been used in ways that are unfamiliar to most scientists” (Keating, 1995). **Early chiropractors reasoned that chiropractic was “a well developed science” because it fit a dictionary definition (“systematized knowledge considered as a distinct field of investigation or objhect of study”). Although science fits this definition, so do medical astrology and virtually every other type of pseudoscience. In those early years, the term “science” was found in numerous publications in the professions …
**Comments in red by Stephen Barrett, M.D. A. Chiropractic College Profile In 1996, there were 16 colleges of chiropractic in the United States (Table 3). The geographic distribution of chiropractic educational institutions demonstrates concentrations in the Midwest and the West with five colleges in each region. Ten of the colleges were established prior to 1945, though they may have gone through several reorganizations or mergers before achieving their current name and status. The most recently established college in the U.S. is the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic in Connecticut. Table 3. Chiropractic Colleges in the United States (1996) West Midwest South Northeast Cleveland Chiropractic College Carl S. Cleveland, III, DC, President 590 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90004 Cleveland Chiropractic College Carl S. …
**Comments in red by Stephen Barrett, M.D. A. Licensure in 50 States The practice of chiropractic is licensed and regulated in all 50 of the United States and in over 30 countries worldwide (Christensen, 1993). Attainment of licensure was the culmination of years of struggle by the profession (Wardwell, 1992). The quest began in the State of Minnesota in 1905 and ended in 1974 when Louisiana became the final State to license chiropractic (Peterson, 1995). Licensure helped to make the practice of chiropractic legitimate as well as helping to define the scope of chiropractic practice. Because there are 50 different legislative bodies involved in the licensing process, there is a wide variation in scope of practice from State to State. For example, in a recent …
