Dr. Peter Gott
Newspaper Enterprise Assoc.
200 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016

Dear Dr. Gott:

As president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), I read
with great concern your recent column on chiropractic care for
children. I find it hard to believe that any past president of the ACA
would agree with your opinion - especially since the official policy of
the ACA states that chiropractic care is appropriate and beneficial for
infants and children.

Despite convincing research, too many medical doctors continue to
question the legitimacy of chiropractic and other forms of alternative
medicine. For example, an October 1999 study by researchers at the
University of Southern Denmark found that colicky babies who underwent
spinal adjustments cried far less than those who received the standard
treatment - dimethicone drops.

Far too many children have their pain treated with medication that may
have undesirable side effects and may not necessarily correct the
underlying source of their problem.

Doctors of chiropractic are trained to diagnose disorders in children
that are especially suited for chiropractic management, such as
scoliosis, postural deformities and injuries resulting from trauma to
the neuromusculoskeletal system. Doctors of chiropractic utilize a
gentler type of treatment that is appropriate to a child's size, needs
and diagnosis. Children usually respond quickly to light adjustments
and other chiropractic treatments and will feel little or no
discomfort. In addition, chiropractors might also prescribe exercises
designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with
instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

Today's doctors of chiropractic are highly educated health care
providers and are extensively trained in diagnosing health care
problems and treating the problems when they are within their scope of
practice. When the condition is outside their scope of practice,
doctors of chiropractic -- like other primary health care providers --
refer the patient to the appropriate specialist when indicated.

One final note: you also referred to a past president of the ACA in a
1992 column about chiropractic. At that time, the ACA contacted every
living past president of the ACA, and every one of them denied being
the doctor of chiropractic in question. We would be interested in
knowing the name of your chiropractor friend, as we find it difficult
to comprehend that any past ACA president is not familiar with official
ACA policy on this issue.

Sincerely,

James A. Mertz, DC, DACBR
President
American Chiropractic Association