Chiropractic in the Time of COVID-19: A Missed Opportunity?

Chiropractic organizations, chiropractic schools

how does COVID-19 impact chiropractic

Chiropractic’s overall reaction to the COVID-19 “pandemic” has been disappointingly “non-chiropractic” because it has not been congruent with chiropractic’s philosophy and world view.

I’m not referring to individual DCs of course. Many have not drunk the “Kool-Aid®” and have not been scared into submission by the herd-like mainstream media.

If you are wondering what I’m writing about please read my prior blog posts on the corona hysteria.

Because chiropractic philosophy is rarely taught in chiropractic schools anymore graduating doctors, many of whom are attracted to positions of leadership and politics, are unfamiliar with our own profession—what makes it unique and its potential.

Where are the babies and children?

What chiropractic has to offer the world is much more than a drug-free approach to pain. It has been lifesaving to babies, children and adults with asthma, pneumonia, coughs, colds, flu, allergies, deafness (imagine that!), digestive issues, constipation, vision problems, kidney problems and the thousand and one other conditions to which the flesh is heir.

This incredible success for over 125 years is what made chiropractic the number one drug-free alternative for healing. Remember, chiropractic is not complimentary but alternative. But we are losing the intellectual argument.

The need for patient education inspired me to create Koren Publications. Actually the trigger was when a patient said to me, “I can’t come in next week, I’m taking my son in for his ear tubes.”

Koren Publications’ first 18 titles

Of course, my first 18 patient education brochures included Ear infections and Chiropractic in addition to titles such as Headaches, Migraines, What is a Subluxation? What is an Adjustment?, Chiropractic Education, Asthma and Chiropractic, Sciatica, How Should I Feel After an Adjustment?, Back Pain as well as others. Eventually Koren Publications expanded to publishing many dozen different titles, booklets, posters and educating many millions of patients.

The demand for Koren Publications patient education products “exploded.” It filled a real void. And now this “COVID crisis” reveals another void that needs filling.

Terrain or germ?

Chiropractic is a profession based on vitalistic/empirical philosophy, a 2,500+-year-old health care tradition that teaches (among other things) that germs do not make us sick.

Antoine Bechamp

A modern application of the empirical approach, that germs only grow on weak soil or terrain, was developed by the famous French scientist Antoine Bechamp (1816-1908). This is referred to as the cellular theory of disease

Louis Pasteur

Bechamp’s contemporary was another French scientist, Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), Pasteur claimed that a bacteria can infect an organism no matter the state of the individual’s terrain. This became known as the germ theory of disease.

Robert Koch

The scientist Robert Koch (1843-1910) developed four postulates (criteria) necessary to prove a microorganism as a cause of the disease.

        1. The bacteria must be found in abundance in every case of the disease but not in healthy organisms.
      1. The bacteria must be isolated from the host and grown in pure culture.
      2. The bacteria must cause disease when inoculated into a healthy host.
      3. The bacteria must then be isolated from the sick host to cause the identical disease.

Koch’s postulates have never been fulfilled with any disease, including polio, smallpox, measles, mumps and surely not with COVID-19. But why let science get in the way?

In contrast to Pasteur, Bechamp argued that the state of the host organism was the primary determinant in whether we get sick since germs surround us (and are inside us) all the time yet infections are rare—a tiny minority “catch” the flu or the “24-hour virus” or whatever bug is “going around.”

In fact, on his deathbed Pasteur agreed with Bechamp saying:

Bernard avait raison. Le germ n’est rien, c’est le terrain qui est tout.  [Bernard was right. The microbe is nothing, the soil is everything.] (1)

“Simple and wrong”

The Pasteur germ theory gives us a simple cause and cure, reminding one of H.L. Mencken’s famous quote: For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.

It’s easy to see why the germ theory is so attractive. It harkens back to ancient superstitions that believed we are filled with evil spirits and we must exorcise the demon germs/spirits using magical means: antibiotics and vaccines.

But killing germs does not equate to improving health.

DD and BJ Palmer

Chiropractic has never advocated Pasteur’s germ theory. DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic rejected the emerging germ theory. His son, BJ Palmer, developer of chiropractic, famously said: If the Germ Theory were true, no one would be alive to believe it.

The chiropractic profession was in good company

Everyone harbors disease germs, yet not everyone is sick. This is ascribed to ‘resistance,’ suggesting that germs are less important in disease than other factors affecting the condition of the host. (2)

The general public have been told that we do not become ill except when germs penetrate into from without. The germ theory of disease is ridiculous. (3)

Germs cannot be the cause of disease, because disease germs are also found in healthy bodies. (4)

Where is the proof?

We believe in medicine even though there is no proof of its claimed health-giving abilities. Over a century of faithful abeyance to the germ theory has given us an America that spends more money and resources on antimicrobials, vaccines and sickness care than any other nation on earth. What are we getting for our money? Lower life expectancy, more chronic illness, the highest infant mortality, and an overall sicker population (in all age groups) than any other industrialized nation. (5)

What more evidence do we need to show that the chiropractic profession should not follow the medical (germ) theory? How about comparing mortality during the 1918/1919 flu pandemic?

1918/1919 flu pandemic

My recent post on the 1918/1919 flu pandemic in which millions of people died under medical care but not under chiropractic, homeopathic and osteopathic care shows the superiority of the cellular approach over the germ theory. Let’s compare body counts.

The death rate under medical care was as high as 68%. However, homeopaths, osteopaths and chiropractors who had their own hospitals and clinics reported a .25% death rate!!! Why the difference? As MDs suppressed fever with large amounts of aspirin the natural healers respected the power of symptoms and worked with the fever.

Because of fever suppression, in the 1918/1919 flu pandemic most of the deaths were not viral but due to bacterial infection! Suppressive drugs made the patient a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. In this video Professor John Barry reveals that most of the deaths were from secondary bacterial infections: PrepTalks: John M. Barry “The Next Pandemic: Lessons from History.”

For more information on chiropractic and the 1918/1919 flu pandemic, read Killer Flu or Killer Aspirin.

Yup, those who promoted natural healing and keeping one’s terrain functioning well knocked it out of the ballpark. The chiropractic profession gained tremendous support and popularity as a result of its success during the flu pandemic.

What if DCs then refused to take care of flu patients and instead told everyone to go to their MDs in 1918? For many it would be akin to giving them a death sentence.

COVID-19 and chiropractic?

COVID-19 impacts chiropractic

COVID-19 has shown itself to be just another flu. Yet why has the chiropractic profession blindly followed the World Health Organization (WHO) with barely a word in dissent? Did any chiropractic schools question or doubt the ridiculous lockdown, masks and social distancing? The lockdowns have weakened our immunity and caused more deaths. (6-11)

Why didn’t our schools and organizations join together to fight the ridiculous mandates? Why did they go along with the medical herd?

The shame of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC)

What does the WFC say?

The WFC recognizes the World Health Organization (WHO) as the authoritative global source for information regarding COVID-19. The following information is from WHO sources….There are no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines currently available for COVID-19…. (12)

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) promotes thermometers?

The current focus on COVID-19 necessitates an ongoing evaluation of the essential services provided by chiropractors who support the non-infectious, urgent and acute neuromusculoskeletal conditions…. ICA urges its members to listen to the local directives, to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The above is shameful. What about infectious conditions? Why isn’t the subluxation mentioned? But at least the ICA re-affirmed the positive benefits of chiropractic to whole-body health in its article Immune System and Chiropractic. Too little, too late? (13)

The shame of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA)

The ACA reached a new low, by claiming that chiropractic cannot help the immune system with this bit of misinformation:

ACA is committed to addressing misinformation that may cause confusion. For example, some claims are being made that spinal adjustments can boost immunity and decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19. While spinal adjustments are effective for a number of conditions, there is no quality evidence to support that they can improve immunity to COVID-19. (14) 

My message to the WFC/ACA/ICA–WTF?? (pardon my French)

thinking about chiropractic and COVID-19

Why aren’t we celebrating our uniqueness? Our success during the 1918 swine flu epidemic where chiropractic care undoubtedly saved thousands if not millions of lives?

Why have we forgotten our history? Philosophy? Science? Why are we not standing up to the corona hysteria as so many scientists, epidemiologists, virologists, infectious disease experts, medical doctors and natural healers have? For example:

TWENTY-TWO Experts Questioning the Coronavirus Panic [VIDEOS & Scientific Common Sense]

Plus there are some brave politicians that have called this entire pandemic a false alarm. (15)

COVID-19 error and chiropractic

Why don’t chiropractic colleges reveal these schools’ experience with COVID-19?

Data from school reopenings in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands … showed that these countries saw no spike when schools opened…. 22 countries have reopened their schools and have seen no discernible increase in cases…. Ultimately, this all comes down to the fatal conceit that central planners have enough knowledge somehow to tell a nation of 330 million people what they can and can’t do. (16)

Did COVID-19 kill chiropractic?

Has the chiropractic profession lost its raison d’etre?

Why did early chiropractic pioneers go to prison in defiance of state mandates?

Yes, there are some wonderful people who are staying true to chiropractic—but where are they in positions of leadership?

I used to hear the message: “Chiropractic today for a healthier humanity tomorrow.” Is our new message to humanity: “Chiropractic today for less back pain tomorrow?”

Koren Publications was founded to keep chiropractic’s philosophy, art and science alive and inspire a new generation of patients, students and chiropractors. Doesn’t humanity deserve that?

Chiropractic today for a healthier humanity tomorrow!

References

  1. Goldberg J. Deceits of the Mind and Their Effects on the Body. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers. 1991:56.
  2. Dubos R. Second thoughts on the germ theory. Scientific American. May 1955;192(5):31-35.
  3. Hume ED. Bechamp or Pasteur: A Lost Chapter in the History of Biology. Kessinger Publications. 1996. First published 1923.
  4. Lindlahr H. Nature Cure: Philosophy & Practice Based on the Unity of Disease & Cure (20th Ed.). Chicago, IL: The Nature Cure Publishing Company.
  5. Squires D, Anderson C. Health care from a global perspective: spending use of services, prices and health in 15 countries. The Commonwealth Fund. October. 2015. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/press-release/2015/us-spends-more-health-care-other-high-income-nations-has-lower-life-expectancy 
  6. Xiao J et al. Nonpharmaceutical measures for pandemic influenza in nonhealthcare settings-personal protective and environmental measures. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 May 17;26(5):967-975.
  7. Smith KJ, Gavey S, Riddell NE et al. The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. May 2020;112:519-541. 
  8. bin-Reza F et al. The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence. Resp Viruses. 2012;6(4):257-267. 
  9. Zhu JH et al. Effects of long-duration wearing of N95 respirator and surgical facemask: a pilot study. J Lung Pulm Resp Res. 2014;4:97-100.
  10. Ong JJY et al. Headaches associated with personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study among frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19. Headache. 2020;60(5):864-877. 
  11. Bader A et al. Preliminary report on surgical mask induced deoxygenation during major surgery. Neurocirugia. 2008;19:121-126.
  12. https://www.wfc.org/website/images/wfc/Latest_News_and_Features/Coronavirus_information_2020_03_03.pdf 
  13. http://www.chiropractic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ICA-Report-on-Immune-Function-and-Chiropractic-3-20-20.pdf 
  14. https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/Coronavirus-COVID-19 
  15. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/german-official-leaks-report-denouncing-covid-19-global-false-alarm 
  16. Ehrhard E. Rand Paul shreds Fauci for treating Americans like sheep, says to tell Americans truth about COVID. The Western Journal. July 1, 2020.  https://www.westernjournal.com/rand-paul-shreds-fauci-treating-americans-like-sheep-says-tell-americans-truth-covid/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=AE&utm_campaign=can&utm_content=2020-07-02

Tedd Koren, DC discovered Koren Specific Technique, a breakthrough in healthcare, after dozens of doctors were unable to help him. For more information on KST or to register for an upcoming seminar, go to www.korenspecifictechnique.com or call 267-498-0071 (US East Coast).

Dr. Koren has been following and writing about the corona question. Read his other corona posts: The Coronavirus is Coming, Corona Alert: The Martians are Coming!Corona Virus: Going, Going, Gone!Coronavirus: We Should Have Learned By Now, Hysteria: More Contagious Than the Flu, Science or Science Fiction?, Iatrogenic Illness and If You Wear a Mask You Should Get Vaccinated.

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ted-koren-bio-headshot

Dr. Tedd Koren

Dr. Koren, originally from Brooklyn, NY, lives in Montgomery County, PA. A graduate of the U of Miami and Sherman College of Chiropractic, he writes, lectures and teaches in the US, Europe and Australia as well as takes care of patients and fights for healthcare freedom. Dr. Koren and his wife Beth have two children.

10 Comments

  1. Avatar Mike Frigiola, Chiropractor on July 6, 2020 at 6:36 am

    Thanks, once again Tedd, for putting into words that which I KNOW is True, Right and Chiropractic! I’ve been reading BJ’s Fountainhead News on the 1918 FLU, same medical/political insanity then as we are experiencing now. Off to my office this morning, maskless and fearless! Good day to you my brother!

    • Avatar Roger Powell palmer class of 73 on January 31, 2021 at 10:27 am

      And may God bless you my brother. I believe that it was George Orwell who wrote:
      ” We live in a world of deception where telling the truth is a revolutionary act. ”
      In 2015 I published my book TheCrime of curing .In it I call Dr Robert a fraud, you know the idiot who invented Aids to cover up Iatrogenic disease. To this day I have not been sued for defamation. Spot the mistake.
      Hang in there, Tedd. We love you.

  2. Avatar Tony Gardner on July 6, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    Very well said!. This is why I do not support ACA or ICA. They do not support us.

  3. Avatar Ben on July 6, 2020 at 12:59 pm

    Another great article!

  4. Avatar Craig P Gindele DC on July 6, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Too bad Reggie isn’t with us to support our philosophy to the profession and offer some sanity of thot about the pandemic. Thank you for keeping his ideas alive during these chaotic times .

  5. Avatar Ken Freedman, DC on July 6, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    Tedd, As usual, you are spot on. Thank you for writing this. I don’t know what has happened within our profession. Where are the national and state leaders who trumpeted the vitalistic benefits of chiropractic care? They seem to vanished, replaced by disciples of organized medicine that only speak of chiropractic benefits based upon the medical research studies. I have written about the benefits of chiropractic care during the Covid 19 pandemic. Not as a treatment–but in terms of improving natural immunity by removing interferences to the body’s capacity to self-heal and function better. I have been advised to “check the research” and be one of the top 10% of chiropractors who know that there is no scientific basis for this claim. Well, we know how reliable medical research can be, especially since it supports the justification for most medical procedures. We also know how medical science has contributed to the state of health of the US citizenry. With iatrogenic disease causing 180,000 deaths each year in the US, it eclipses the losses to corona virus. This is the institution to trust?

    Regardless of the chiropractic school a DC attended, or the technique practiced, if a DC doesn’t know that the patient is better off with an adjustment than without one, they missed the boat. We offer much more to people than a tank of oxygen, a bar of soap, a mask and isolation. We remove the splinter from the finger of G-d. We remove the impediments to better body function, improved health, and the hope for longevity in a body desirous of living in. In 1955, BJ said, “The time to follow your hunches, intuitions, inspirations, is now.” Listen up, chiropractic leaders. This is just as true now as it was then.

  6. Avatar Esther Jimenez on July 6, 2020 at 9:37 pm

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for sharing your logic, strength and love for chiropractic! Since the beginning of this Plandemic, the government and its officials have been doing their best to isolate and eat away at the confidence of those who understand the proper function of a God given immune system!! Are we in the twilight zone? We must ask, what are we willing to lose living within the parameters of the “new normal”!? I will continue to fight for health freedom and the human rights that have been granted to us by God and our forefathers! When I went to Chiropractic school, I had one class of philosophy, but what stuck with me, was the fact that other chiropractors went to jail, so that I could have the right to practice the real art of chiropractic- not one that was based on CPT codes and insurance! The ACA should be dismantled for its atrocities against the chiropractic profession! What do fellow chiropractors stand for and if they don’t love the profession- then get the F💕Ck OUT!

  7. Avatar Dr. Karen Gardner on July 7, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Amen and Hallelujah, Tedd! We need to remember (and remind others) that Chiropractic is a Science, Art, AND PHILOSOPHY. If it’s definition and practice is missing the premises that “the power that made the body. heals the body” and that all healing comes “from above – down, inside – out”, it is no longer Chiropractic. Period. Thank you for being a voice for so many.

  8. Avatar Susan Burger on January 22, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    Totally agree Tedd! This craziness is surreal. People are being hypnotized into thinking they don’t even have an immune system, and believing it. We can help then remember how amazing they are, and help them feel empowered.

  9. Avatar Roger Powell palmer class of 73 on January 31, 2021 at 10:28 am

    And may God bless you my brother. I believe that it was George Orwell who wrote:
    ” We live in a world of deception where telling the truth is a revolutionary act. ”
    In 2015 I published my book The Crime of Curing. In it I call Dr Robert a fraud, you know the idiot who invented Aids to cover up Iatrogenic disease. To this day I have not been sued for defamation. Spot the mistake.
    Hang in there Tedd. We love you.

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