Chiropractors will want to read us anywhere, anytime
First Quarter 2025
(Jan-Mar)
Volume 5, Issue 3 (5-3)
read with your mind, care with your heart
A gallimaufry of things from 2024 [Editorial]
Abstract: This Journal has redacted its first paper and I explain the reasoning in this Editorial. First however it is a big ‘thank you’ to the Immediate Past President of the Australian Chiropractors Association, Dr David Cahill, who has completed his 3-year presidential term. We appreciate his continuing service as Vice-President.
The ethical standards of the Texas Chiropractic College (TxCC) are questioned on the basis of their commercial activity to provide College certification to Japanese nationals completing a short course on-campus. These people return to Japan as ‘chiropractors’ trained in America and are now bringing the profession into disrepute. I look at the impotence of all bodies which are meant to protect and advance the profession. The Journal appreciates Dynamic Chiropractic’s exposure of this highly questionable behaviour.
We end on a good note, with a brief mention of some new work from Harrison’s CBP® group and a fascinating paper by Joel Pessa with new findings about ‘Glymphatic Circulation in Human Nerves’ Those of us with a keen interest in the role of the CSF in health and dis-ease will enjoy this paper immensely.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; subluxation; Texas Chiropractic College; Japan
Cite: Ebrall P. A gallimaufry of things from 2024 [Editorial]. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#EbrallEditorialJan25
The Reality of Balancing Life as a Chiropractic Student and a Student-Athlete [WCCS]
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; World Congress of Chiropractic Students, WCCS; time management; perseverance; adaptability
Cite: Nepton G. The Reality of Balancing Life as a Chiropractic Student and a Student-Athlete [WCCS]. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#NeptonBalancing
Overcoming Chirophobia
Narrative: This paper reviews the adversarial nature of the American Medical Association and gives its origin as Morris Fishbein who, for a quarter of a Century (1924-1949) led a concerted attack on Chiropractors. This resulted in many being jailed allegedly for practicing medicine without a licence.
Fishbein got into bed with Big Tobacco, and raised millions for the AMA through allowing tobaccos companies to advertise their products in the Journal of the American Medical Association of which he was editor. He boasted about how much such advertising he ‘turned down’ and did not accept.
The AMA’s Golden Goose of Big Tobacco was replaced by Big Pharma as governments woke up to the negative health effects associated with tobacco.
Even today political medicine is behind scare campaigns against Chiropractic, most notably through trying to associate the risk of stroke with the skilled cervical adjustments provided by a trained Chiropractor.
Not even the outcome of the Wilk v. AMA antitrust trial could restore the damage inflicted upon Chiropractors in conspiracy described as ‘systematic, long-term wrongdoing, and the long-term intent to destroy a licensed profession’.‘By labelling all chiropractors unscientific cultists, injury to reputation was assured by the AMA’s name-calling practice’, which was exactly the goal of the medical Goodfellas, to defame its main competition to invalidate their expertise and to capture the healthcare marketplace.
This paper is essential reading for all students of the profession, and indeed for those Chiropractors who may have forgotten the price paid by others before them to give them the freedoms they enjoy today in practice.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; AMA; Wilk Trial; Fishbein; Big Tobacco; Big Pharma
Cite: Smith JC. Overcoming Chirophobia Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3 www.apcj.net/Papers-Issue-5-3/#SmithChirophobia
Comparing consecutive third-year Chiropractic Student cohorts: A successful evaluation of the Paired Junior Clinic programme
Introduction: A survey was conducted among third-year chiropractic students to evaluate the substantive effectiveness of junior clinical placements in preparing them for final-year clinical placements. The study aimed to assess the feelings towards perceived readiness and confidence levels of students who participated in the junior clinic program compared to those who did not.
Methods: The entire third-year cohort consisting of 166 students, including 42 students involved in junior clinical placements, completed an eight-question survey. Participants in the junior clinic program and non-participants were compared to determine differences in feelings towards perceived clinical preparedness.
Results: Students who participated in the junior clinic placements reported significantly higher levels of preparedness and confidence for their final-year clinical placements than non-participants.
Conclusion: The survey results showed the importance of junior clinical placements in enhancing the clinical readiness of chiropractic students in preparation for their final-year clinical placement. As indicated by the data collected, the success of these placements suggests that junior clinical placements play a critical role in developing clinical competence.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; Education; Junior Clinic; Student confidence; Student preparedness; Student readiness.
Cite: Battiston A, Nunn N, Heritage D. Comparing consecutive third-year Chiropractic Student cohorts: A successful evaluation of the Paired Junior Clinic programme. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3 www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#BattistonJuniorClinic
Respiratory RCTs: What Are We Missing? [The wide-angle lens]
Narrative: To date the RCTs reporting the response to Chiropractic care by patients with asthma, COPD and related pulmonary disorders have omitted real-world factors which in turn produces biased results.
Based on my own considerable experience with such patients I recommend that RCTs now (i) record the detail of any injury about the time of asthma onset, (ii) allow for a reasonable period of continuing care and measurements, for example for more than one year, to enable investigators to better account for the influence of seasonal changes, such as pollen count, temperature and humidity, among other factors, and (iii) recognise the complex neurology associated with such conditions and take a more holistic, full-spine approach instead of just a short period of care with an unacceptably low number of care visits.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; chiropractic RCT; asthma; COPD; respiratory disorders
Cite: Masarsky CS. Respiratory RCTs: What Are We Missing? [The wide-angle lens]. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#MasarskyRespiratoryRCTs
The escape from Managerialist Medicine
Narrative: Organised medicine has always carefully guarded its membership and monopoly on professional privileges, from ordering tests to prescribing medications.
Medicine has developed powerful, self-serving myths, to hide these inconvenient truths. But the epidemic of iatrogenic disease can no longer be hidden; people are waking up to realise that power over their health has been taken from them, and they want to reappropriate what they have given away to an ineffective healthcare system that no longer serves their needs.
Health is mostly something one does in the context of a supportive family and community, more than something one is granted by external agents.
Indexing Terms: Medicine; EBM; managerialism; Technocratic Scientism; Utopian Progressivism; Liberationism
Cite: Kheriaty A. The escape from Managerialist Medicine. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#KheriatyEscapeManagerialistMedicine
Submission to ACSQHC & NSQMI October 2024: Explanation of the basis for specific Chiropractic X-Rays
Narrative: Within a decade of its invention radiography became part of Chiropractic practice. The express purpose was to visualise the boney structures of the patient and to aid triage for referral and to provide a guide to clinical practice.
We give 15 specific paradigms of Chiropractic practice where each utilises radiography to guide their clinical care of the patient. We provide examples of the valuable clinical information that is provided by weight-bearing radiographs taken specific for, or by, Chiropractors.
We recommend that safe, clinically effective patient care is best when supported by plain radiography taken by Chiropractors in a accord with strict requirements for precise patient positioning.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Radiography; Clinical safety; clinical effectiveness; Best practice
Cite: Patrons of Chiropractic Science. Submission to ACSQHC & NSQMI October 2024: Explanation of the basis for specific Chiropractic X-Rays [Submission]. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#PCSSubmission
Using the deep tendon reflex for diagnostic Manual Muscle Testing purposes
Narrative: We now know that Chiropractic care is the most beneficial treatment for dyspraxia, successfully managing it with individuated therapy because it can stimulate the deep neurological structures of highest priority, the zygapophysial joint mechanoreceptors of the spine and spinal-related structures.
Eupraxia is normally coordinated muscular performance. It is the antithesis of dyspraxia. The former is characterised by functional reciprocity, normalised autonomic performance and cognitive awareness whereas the latter always progresses to intensifying pathology.
Problems with gross and fine motor skills like manual dexterity are the main symptoms of dysrecipria leading to deafferentation. Dyspraxia occurs when poorly synchronised motor skills interfere with daily and academic function and is observed on a continuum from mild to severe.
The dyspraxic presentation, particularly if not identified early, can lead to challenging behaviours such as frequent concentration disruptions and/or interference with interpersonal relationships, the avoidance of work, and attention-seeking behaviours. Rehabilitating these pathological expressions requires the sacrifice of dysrecipria and encouraging euplasctic behaviour.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Applied Kinesiology; AK; dyspraxia; eupraxia; dysrecipria
Cite: Allen M. Using the deep tendon reflex for diagnostic Manual Muscle Testing purposes. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#AllenDTRMMT
New projects funded or co-funded by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF)
Abstract: A descriptive report of the three research projects funded or co-funded in 2024 for 2025 by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation.
These three projects are from the Australian Chiropractic College, the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, and Chiropractic BioPhysics® NonProfit.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; subluxation; ASRF; research; funding.
Cite: Editorial team. New projects funded or co-funded by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF). Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.2. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#ASRF2024grants
Quantum thinking and subluxation: Beyond the censorship of the GCC
Context: This paper continues my examination of the idea of subluxation as it is used commonly within conventional Chiropractic practice. I build on earlier papers in which I identified the majority of Chiropractors as Realists who describe clinical subluxation using fuzzy dialogue and achieve successful clinical outcomes through patient interdependency. Here I specifically continue from my immediately previous paper examining Quantum Theory.
Whilst most Chiropractors conceive of and treat subluxation as a physical entity I lament the absence of any such published physical dimensions of subluxation as revealed in my earlier systematic review.
Discussion: I continue with my argument that Chiropractors should move on from the idea of Classical science which demands agreement to confirm something exists and instead accept that as a clinical lesion subluxation is ethereal and will exist when and where a trained Chiropractor finds clinical evidence to say it exists. I further explore the roles of superposition and observation in determining the presence of subluxation, and show how two chiropractors can vary with their assessment of a common patient.
Conclusion: My biggest concern is that the GCC is censoring from the curriculum any ‘traditional explanatory frameworks such as life force, vitalism and a belief that manipulating the spine to remove restrictions or “chiropractic subluxations’’ cannot be taught except as concepts’, meaning students in the UK are collectively the poorer.
I propose Chiropractors should start thinking of subluxation as a quantum ‘thing’ with all the questionable dimensions that a quantum ‘thing’ carries. And I argue that this idea must be brought to all students studying the discipline.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; subluxation; Quantum Mechanics; GCC; censorship
Cite: Ebrall P. Quantum thinking and subluxation: Beyond the censorship of the GCC. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. apcj.net/Papers-Issue-5-3/#EbrallQuantumSubluxation
Clinical Evidence
as peer-reviewed Case Reports
Wheelchair to walking in 9 months: ABC™ Meningeal Releases and Stiff Person Syndrome: A case report
Narrative: Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a neuro-immunological condition most frequently associated with the GAD65 autoantibody. Common treatments are benzodiazepines and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
The case presented is of a 66-year-old female diagnosed with SPS by a neurologist after more than a decade of worsening muscle spasms and subsequently confirmed with elevated levels of GAD65. Her condition was continuing to deteriorate despite IVIG, baclofen, botulinum toxin, and Chiropractic spinal manipulation.
The introduction of Meningeal Releases as taught as part of the chiropractic technique, Advanced BioStructural Correction™ combined with Chiropractic spinal manipulation was concomitant with progressive improvement in the condition of the patient, to the extent that the patient progressed from wheelchair bound to ambulatory within 9 months of beginning treatment.
Further research to explore the causal relationship between meningeal tension and SPS may inform additional treatment options.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; subluxation; ABC™; Meningeal release; Stiff Person Syndrome
Cite: Osborne H, Woods B, Chu E. Wheelchair to walking in 9 months: ABC™ Meningeal Releases and Stiff Person Syndrome: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#OsborneWheelchairWalking
Chiropractic Applied Kinesiology methods for cervical herniated disc syndrome along with sciatica and bilateral frozen shoulder: A case report
Objective: To present a single case study of a 52-year-old Filipino female with severe pain in her lower lumbar region, left hip, and radicular pain down her left leg. Additionally, bilateral ‘frozen shoulders’ were present, with radiculopathy down both arms to the wrists. To present an overview of the muscular impairments found during manual muscle testing (MMT) evaluation that guided the interventions offered.
Clinical Features: The low back muscular dysfunction was exacerbated by both movements in the cervical spine and dysfunctions in the feet, which had been present for over 5 years. The patient had undergone spinal laminectomy surgery at the L5-S1 level 5 years previously.
Intervention and Outcome: Chiropractic evaluation and treatment, and in particular applied kinesiology (AK)-guided chiropractic and nutritional evaluation and treatment, were used for treatment of the numerous factors causing the symptoms. Following spinal and nutritional chiropractic treatment, the patient showed significant improvement in her leg and foot pain, was able to bear weight without pain, and had full restoration of ROM and comfort in the use of her arms. The patient has remained symptom free for 5 months since her first 5 treatments.
Conclusion: The MMT procedures used in this patient’s care offered useful information directly linking the assessment procedure to the treatment method that resolved her chronic musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain and corrected her debilitating upper and lower body symptoms.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; subluxation; bilateral frozen shoulder; sciatica; upper cervical; herniated disc syndrome.
Cite: Cuthbert S. Chiropractic Applied Kinesiology methods for cervical herniated disc syndrome along with sciatica and bilateral frozen shoulder: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#CuthbertFrozenShoulder
A Functional Neurological Disorder case series utilising a sensory motor integration model including Chiropractic and vestibular stimulation
Objective: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex condition characterised by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by a structural or organic disease. Traditional interventions often emphasise psychological and physiotherapeutic approaches. This case series explores the efficacy of an integrative treatment combining Chiropractic care, Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR), and Sensory Motor activities in four patients diagnosed with FND.
Methods: Four patients (2 females, 2 males, age range 15-48 years) with confirmed FND were treated. Each presented with distinct neurological complaints including motor weaknesses, sensory disturbances, and movement disorders. An individualised treatment regimen was designed for each patient combining Chiropractic Adjustments, tailored VR exercises, and specific sensory motor activities. The intervention spanned 3 - 36 weeks, and outcomes were evaluated based on symptom reduction and functional improvement.
Results: All four patients exhibited significant improvement post-treatment with three patients achieving complete resolution. The movement disorders, such as seizures, tremors and dystonia, were reported as achieving considerable symptom alleviation.
Conclusion: This case series suggests that an integrative approach, melding Chiropractic care with Vestibular Rehabilitation and Sensory Motor activities, may offer a promising avenue for the management of FND. Larger controlled studies are warranted to validate these findings and to further explore the underlying mechanisms behind this synergistic therapeutic approach.
The clinical presentation and treatment course of each patient is presented, including the specific VR and Chiropractic techniques used, and report on their outcomes. We also discuss the potential mechanisms by which VR and Chiropractic treatment may be effective for individuals with FND.
Indexing Terms: Functional Neurological Disorder; Chiropractic; Sensory Motor Integration; Rotating Chair; Vestibular Rehabilitation; PNES; Homeostasis
Cite: Richardson D. A Functional Neurological Disorder case series utilising a sensory motor integration model including Chiropractic and vestibular stimulation. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#RichardsonFNeurox4
Chiropractic management of cervical disc herniations: A case series
Narrative: The cervical disc syndrome has classic indicators of motor, reflex, and sensation dysfunction. Applied kinesiology Chiropractic techniques may indicate a subluxation when all of the disc diagnostic criteria are not present.
Goodheart postulates that some cervical spine and low back pain, as well as radicular problems from the cervical and lumbar levels, can result from a unique type of lower cervical subluxation, causing laxity of the annulus fibrosis and perhaps an intervertebral disc bulge. His interest in this was piqued by the work of Kabat, who found that lower cervical disc problems often caused low back and leg pain. Kabat went so far to state ‘This investigation has demonstrated conclusively that compression of the cervical spinal cord by the herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical disc is the most common cause of low back and leg pain’.
Two case reports highlight the Goodheart-AK-chiropractic approach to this disturbing problem for chiropractic patients.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Subluxation; Low Back pain; leg pain; cervical disc.
Cite: Cuthbert S. Chiropractic management of cervical disc herniations: A case series. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#Cuthbert2Cxdiscs
Advanced Biostructural Correction™ and its impact on Pulmonary Function: A case report
Narrative: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent condition that impacts various health aspects, including respiratory function. This case study examines the effects of Advanced Biostructural Correction™ in a patient with CLBP, aiming to assess changes in pulmonary function.
A detailed evaluation was performed using spirometry to measure respiratory parameters before and after a series of chiropractic treatments that targeted spinal realignment. The results demonstrated significant improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF), highlighting the potential of this type of chiropractic care in enhancing respiratory efficiency through improved posture.
This study underscores the importance of integrating postural assessment in the management of patients with respiratory symptoms and suggests broader consideration for Advanced Biostructural Correction™ in research and practice.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; subluxation; ABC™; Advanced Biostructural Correction; Chiropractic Case Report; Pulmonary Function
Cite: Birnie L, Woods B, Chu E. Advanced Biostructural Correction™ and Its Impact on Pulmonary Function: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-3/#BirniePulmonaryFunction
Parkinson’s’ Disease and Soft Tissue Orthopedics (STO): A Case Report
Narrative: Parkinson’s Disease is more common in the elderly and prevalence rises from 1% in those over 60 years of age to 4% of the population over 80. The mean age of onset is around 60 years and the disease is attributed to selective loss of neurons in the substantia nigra.
Increased homocysteine levels seem associated with PD and have also been found related to inflammatory bowel disease, for which colonoscopy may be required with its risk of bowel perforation, as occurred with this patient. She required surgical resection for a perforation of the colon after which her examination findings revealed a patient who had deteriorated significantly from her last office visit.
Soft Tissue Orthopedics was the main therapeutic approach in the Chiropractor’s office including temporal sphenoidal (TS) diagnosis, extremity and cranial-dural-sacral assessment, nutritional therapy, proprioceptor disruption reflex points. A complete package of care was provided and at last treatment she was found to be strong, stable, with significant balance and stability, and only a slightly noticeable tremor in her left ankle.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; Soft Tissue Orthopedics; Parkinson’s Disease; bowel resection; temporal sphenoidal reflex points.
Cite: Davis KY, Blum C. Parkinson’s’ Disease and Soft Tissue Orthopedics (STO): A Case Report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;5.3 www.apcj.net/papers-issue-5-2/#DavisBlumParkinsons
Disclaimer
This journal is a professional journal by chiropractors for chiropractors. Readers not fully trained as a chiropractor should not act on their own on any information published in these pages and should always discuss their situation with their chiropractor.
The name 'Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal' is a registered business name with ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
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