A child with bronchial asthma breathes normally again, the acute attack stilled by a chiropractic adjustment. A man suffering intense pain from sciatica returns to his daily labors after weeks of suffering, relieved by a chiropractic adjustment. A lady patient, tormented for years by migraine, is freed from pain by the chiropractic adjustment. A boy who constantly suffered from "stomach pains" lives a normal pain-free life after a chiropractic adjustment. A girl with a twisted pelvic girdle is liberated from her braces as a result of a chiropractic adjustment. The patient who could not raise his arm, could not sleep except under sedation because of the pain, completely recovers after his chiropractic adjustment.
In case after case, the story is repeated. The range of disease in which chiropractic has provided help to the sick is vast. But, like other healing arts, chiropractic has had its failures. Why? Because of lack of knowledge regarding the "problem case"; too little known about the basic mechanism with which chiropractic works: the effects upon the nervous system caused by vertebral misalignments. This is a research problem.
Scientific research is essential to the solution of technical problems in chiropractic. Over the years chiropractors have financed their own research and progress has been made, but the profession has been handicapped by lack of money with which to obtain the necessary facilities and trained research personnel. Government and foundation grants are not available for chiropractic research. In spite of this fact, the profession has been criticized for not engaging in scientific research. Apparently, it is the responsibility of chiropractic to research its practices and procedures while other healing art professions are financed in their re search efforts by grants.
Therefore, chiropractic has no recourse other than to ask for financial support from the public its patients to enable it to engage in research. This is in the public interest. As better solutions to technical problems are developed through adequate research, the public benefits as more disabled people are returned to work,' and chiropractors become more efficient in the care of the sick.
A scientific organization known as the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research Association, Inc. (NUCCRA) has been formed. The purpose of this corporation is to establish a center in which to conduct scientific research, provide a clinic for problem cases, employ trained research personnel, utilize research equipment and facilities, provide an opportunity for doctors to observe improved techniques, and to engage in testing chiropractic methodologies.
When established and operating, this center should be self-supporting. Its cost is estimated at one million dollars.
Under date of May 11, 1972, the Internal Revenue Service advised the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research Association, Inc. that its request for a tax-exempt status had been granted. This status permits any donor to the corporation to deduct all contributions made to the corporation from his Federal Income Tax within the ceiling limitations established by the Internal Revenue Code. (The present Code establishes generally a 50% limitation based on adjusted gross income with a 5-year carryover provision.)
Your donation to NUCCRA is a contribution to the future of a profession that has struggled against organized opposition for three-quarters of a century. Yet, it has survived and grown for one simple reason: it has succeeded in the care of the sick in case after case when other healing arts have failed. Sometimes its results have been miraculous. Now chiropractic has reached the point where it must provide a rationale, a scientific explanation of the fundamental reasons for its existence. It must become acceptable to the scientific community. This requires scientific research. Out of this scientific effort can come a better tomorrow for the sick and suffering.
Further information can be obtained from your doctor. Checks may be made out to NUCCRA
By: Ralph R. Gregory, D.C.