Dear editor:

I look forward to the weekly award-winning paper — thank you.

Re: this past week’s article on back pain … an enigma for many (“Dr. Brown: Degernative disease in the spine, part 1: Lumbosacral spine,” March 27).

My inquiry is asking if Dr. Brown’s respected comprehensive opinions could also include the complementary role of the conservative chiropractic profession.

In the 1980s and onward, orthopedic surgeons, medical physicians and chiropractic physicians have worked collaboratively for the benefit of suffering people (e.g. at the University of Saskatoon).

For a number of years, one of Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital orthopedic departments has had as its chief a doctor of chiropractic.

For decades, esteemed orthopedic texts have included chapters on the role of chiropractic complementary care (Dr. Kirkaldy-Willis).

References to diagnostic and therapeutic “experts,” “specialists,” “skill sets,” “perspectives,” and “plausible strategies” should include the chiropractic profession.

Given that spinal conditions, such as degenerative ones, can be enigmatic even when all professions are involved, there should be an understanding and appreciation of each profession’s potential relevant and collaborative contributions to mitigate suffering, while also “first doing no harm.”

Dr. Ronald V. Fuller
Virgil