All posts by Sam Homola

Samuel Homola is a retired chiropractor who has been expressing his views about the benefits of appropriate use of spinal manipulation (as opposed to use of such treatment based on chiropractic subluxation theory) since publication of his book Bonesetting, Chiropractic, and Cultism in 1963. He retired from private practice in 1998. His 15 published books include Inside Chiropractic, published by Prometheus Books in 1999.

Chiropractic Subluxation Theory: Science or Gobbledegook?

Many chiropractors continue to claim that vertebral subluxations can affect organ function by interfering with nerve flow in spinal nerves, a view that is scientifically indefensible.

/ January 23, 2024

The Swan Song of a Chiropractic Heretic

After 41 years of private practice as a chiropractor and 60 years of writing books and articles, the age of 94 finds me rethinking my career, wondering if my contributions to the literature justify the path I took.

/ November 14, 2023

A Global Summit Conclusion: No Evidence of an Effect of SMT [Spinal Manipulative Therapy] for the Management of Non-Musculoskeletal Disorders

A new systematic review places one more nail in the coffin of chiropractic vertebral subluxation theory and the use of spinal manipulation as a treatment for non-musculoskeletal disorders.

/ March 2, 2023

Spinal Manipulation, Chiropractic, and Subluxation Theory

While generic spinal manipulation can be helpful in treating mechanical-type back pain, there are good reasons to be skeptical about chiropractic manipulation based on subluxation theory which dictates that health can be restored and maintained by adjusting vertebral subluxations. A grain of truth mixed with subluxation theory makes it difficult for many of us to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate use of...

/ February 21, 2023

Chiropractic Webster Technique: Nonsense Based on Nonsense

The Chiropractic Webster Technique is a nonsensical method of adjusting the sacrum in a misguided effort to enhance pregnancy and to facilitate childbirth. The technique, unopposed in the United States, is under fire by a Canadian chiropractic regulatory body.

/ February 11, 2020

Upper Cervical Chiropractic: NUCCA─The Legacy of HIO

Upper cervical chiropractors continue to offer an atlas adjustment to treat a variety of health problems, despite lack of credible evidence to support such treatment.

/ November 22, 2019

The Yoke of Chiropractic: Vertebral Subluxation Doctrine

The mysterious, asymptomatic chiropractic “vertebral subluxation complex” alleged to be a cause of disease has never been proven to exist. A real orthopedic vertebral subluxation, which can be identified by imaging and by physical signs, has never been demonstrated to be a cause of organic disease. Chiropractic subluxation theory has been perpetuated largely by misinformation, fear, and a powerful placebo effect, produced,...

/ May 27, 2019

The Chiropractic Technique Parade

Failure of the chiropractic establishment to renounce the scientifically indefensible vertebral subluxation theory assures an unending parade of questionable chiropractic diagnostic and treatment methods for correction of putative vertebral subluxations.

/ September 14, 2018

Certification in chiropractic techniques: legitimate care or tomfoolery?

Chiropractic vertebral subluxation theory breeds a variety of questionable diagnostic and treatment methods. Certification in use of a subluxation-based technique offers no assurance that the technique is effective or scientifically acceptable.

/ June 22, 2018

Inside Chiropractic: Yesteryear and Today

In the 123 years since its inception, the core beliefs of the chiropractic profession have not changed. Chiropractic continues to exist as a form of alternative medicine that embraces a variety of questionable procedures and treatment methods. The chiropractic profession in the United States is still defined by the vertebral subluxation theory that gave it birth and independence as an alternative to...

/ February 16, 2018