Barrett's Website Berates Chiropractic

"Chirobase" Planning to Establish Referral Directory

By Editorial Staff

Long-time chiropractic assailant Stephen Barrett,MD, of the National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF), has developed a new website (www.chirobase.org) with the homepage "A Skeptical Guide to Chiropractic History, Theories and Current Practices." Joining Dr. Barrett in his website assault on chiropractic are well-known chiropractic nemeses William Jarvis,PhD, also of the NCAHF, and Charles DuVall Jr.,DC, of the National Association of Chiropractic Medicine.

The site includes 40-50 highly charged articles and reports. Here's a sample:

"Chiropractic: A Skeptical View"
"Don't Let Chiropractors Fool You"
"Subluxations: Chiropractic's Elusive Buzzword"
"Malpractice Is an Inevitable Result of Chiropractic Philosophy and Training"
"Undercover Investigations"
"Chiropractors Wangle Medicare Windfall"
"Inappropriate Use of Ultrasound Testing"
"Advertising Gimmicks"
"Orthopractic Guidelines for Manual Therapy Practice"
"Chiropractic Victim Support Group"

In an apparent effort to legitimize his site, Dr. Barrett is soliciting input and statements from chiropractic organizations and individuals. While there is a temptation for DCs to contribute comments to offset the tenor of the website's articles, most chiropractors are refusing to be a part of Barrett's scheme.

Dr. Barrett also plans to add a referral section that would allow those chiropractors who agree with him to have their names and addresses posted. This would appear to be pointless, as anyone who spends any time on the site is highly unlikely to seek the services of a chiropractor.

Dynamic Chiropractic will report on Dr. Barrett's efforts to recruit DCs to his Chirobase referral section.