Chiropractic: Physicians Plus

80 Sumner Avenue · Springfield, MA 01108 · Phone: (413) 732-4800 · Fax: (413) 739-4239

CONDITIONS AND CONCERNS

Physicians

Although Chiropractic has been in existence for thousands of years it has endured the bigotry and scrutiny of the medical profession. Despite the AMA's unsuccessful attempt to extinguish chiropractic altogether, constant dissection has taken place throughout the years. Dr. George Langlitz Jr. became a part of that history when he too fought the battle for the appropriateness of his title and knowledge, at which time he was prosecuted for utilizing the term "Physician".

Chiropractors are 'real doctors' and Dr. Langlitz fought for and won this recognition, now a provision under Massachusetts General Law:

Chiropractic Physician

There has been a long dispute whether a chiropractor can be considered a "physician", whether chiropractic is a form of medicine and whether the chiropractor may utilize the title "chiropractic physician". While there are no cases directly on these points, from a legal standpoint, it is safe to state that a chiropractor does practice a limited form of medicine, especially since some individuals who practiced chiropractic before licensure were criminally prosecuted for the unlawful practice of medicine. See Commonwealth vs. Jewelle, 199 Mass. 558, 85 N.E. 858, and Commonwealth v. Zimmerman, 221 Mass. 184, 108 N.E. 893, where Chief Justice Rugg defined medicine as follows:

"Medicine relates to the prevention, cure and alleviation of disease, the repair of injury, or treatment of abnormal or unusual states of the body and their restoration to a healthful condition. It includes a broad field. It is not confined to the administering of medicinal substances or the use of surgical or other instruments. It comprehends ‘a knowledge, not only of the functions of the organs of the human body, but also of the diseases to which these organs are subject, and of the laws of health and the modes of living which tend to avert or overcome disease, as well as of the specific methods of treatment that are most effective in promoting cures.’ "

In the case of Langlitz v. Board of Registration of Chiropractors, 396 Mass. 374, 486 N.E.2d 48, the Supreme Judicial Court made specific reference to the term "chiropractic medicine."

The use of the title "chiropractic physician" is valid because the qualifying word, "chiropractic", does not confuse the public and clearly discloses that the particular healing art practiced is chiropractic.