Question
For about three months I've had nagging pain and burning about 4-5 inches below the bottom of my neck.  Until the last 2-3 days I could work (mow the lawn,etc) and it didn't have an effect on the pain.  It was continuous regardless of physical activity or no physical activity.  Now the muscles are so tight and stressed that my activity is causing additional pain.  I went to a chiropractor today where xrays were taken and in an open room my neck was massaged then my neck and back were manipulated.  It seemed that my back popped everywhere except where the pain has been.  I was told that I had no curvature in my neck.  I was given an appointment for tomorrow to talk to me about the results of my xray, etc.  Back at home I started browsing the internet via a google search with the keyword chiropractor.  What has alarmed me is that I read an article by an apparently biased psyciatrist/journalist at http://www.chirobase.org/01General/chirovisit.html entitled "My vist to a straight chiropractor" and now by reading your profile where you said "less that 1% of chiropractors practice in a completely ethical manner using evidence based practice."  What am I to think? 100:1 odds are terrible.  I'm sure that my neck's curvature is not something which happened in just the last 2-3 months.  Prior to my present pain, my neck and back have been mostly pain free.  1) Are you recommending that I NOT use a chiropractor? 2)If I use a chiropractor how do I find an ethical one?

Answer
Dear AllExperts User:

Here is an update on the petition project I emailed you about previously.  A few changes were needed to correct and clarify the petition, requiring me to restart using a new one.  The means that everyone who signed needs to resign the new form which is located at http://www.petitiononline.com/ajb2/petition.html

There really seems to be a good deal of support for this initiative to clean up misinformation about chiropractic in the most widely used career sourcebook for students.

Please visit the site, review the new petition and add your support.  I also am asking everyone to contact as many friends and family members as possible to get the message out either by emailing them directly or passing a message on to distribution lists and discussion forums.  I am certain that health professionals, students and smart consumers would appreciate learning more about this subject and join us.  If enough attention is raised I am confident we can make a difference and get this fixed!

Thank you again for your support,
Allen Botnick DC BA