Doubting Thomas-His Proper Role in Musculoskeletal Medicine

Abstract

The recent C.S.A.G. report, “Guidelines in the treatment of back pain,” lends emphasis to the slowly growing interest of doctors in vertebral manipulation. While admirably highlighting the deficiencies of teaching in this field, currently seen to be widely variable internationally, it does less to address the actual curricular problems. Certain historical facts are reviewed, as are the requirements for orthodox acceptance. A number of relevant anatomical and physiological facts are presented, following which some of the currently hypothetical teaching is discussed, which does not meet the scientific standard outlined.

A plea is made for the inclusion of vertebral manipulation in orthodox teaching, without recourse to hypotheses.