Remarks upset chiropractors

Press, 23 February 1980, Page 6

Remarks upset chiropractors

Chiropractors are concerned about the "unjustified antagonism” towards them of a visiting British orthopaedic physician. In an interview reported in "The Press” yesterday, Dr James Cyriax, who developed several methods of manipulative therapy, was asked his opinion of chiropractors. He replied: “They are a menace to the real work of manipulative therapists.” It was all "stuff and nonsense,” he said. “Dr Cyriax’s criticism was quite unwarranted, according to Dr I. Smith, a Christchurch spokesman for the Chiropractors’ Association. “His unjustified antagonism can only stimulate emnity instead of harmony between two professions which could work together for the good of the patient and

society,” Dr Smith said. It was necessary to bring the whole sphere of manipulation together “as best we can.”

Dr Cyriax’s outburst had emphasised the problems which would surround the Government’s suggestion of research into chiropractic.

Dr Smith quoted from the recent report of the inquiry into chiropractic. “It is completely contrary to Dr Cyriax’s sentiments about chiropractic wherein it states that: ‘We are left in no doubt that chiropractors are specialised and skilled spinal therapists’.” The report went on to say there could be no doubt that the basic education of chiropractors in their area was “manifestly'more thorough” than that of any New Zealand doctor, physiotherapist, or manipulative therapist.