The scientific method is a toolkit that provides the only reliable way to learn how things work in the real world. But some people have come to distrust it because science keeps changing its mind. It’s supposed to tell us “The Truth” in black and white and capital letters, but… read more "“New Study Shows…” – Why We Can’t Trust Science Reporting"
Write for Oprah? Wrong for Me
From January through June of 2010 I wrote a column entitled “The Health Inspector” in O, The Oprah Magazine. Now, apparently, I have been fired; although they have not had the common courtesy to tell me so. The whole thing has been a bizarre, frustrating experience. It started last fall,… read more "Write for Oprah? Wrong for Me"
The Graston Technique – Inducing Microtrauma with Instruments
The Graston Technique® is a modification of traditional hands-on soft tissue mobilization that uses specifically designed instruments to allow the therapist to introduce a controlled amount of microtrauma into an area of excessive scar and/or soft tissue fibrosis. The hope is that this will invoke an inflammatory response that will… read more "The Graston Technique – Inducing Microtrauma with Instruments"
A Skeptic in Oprah-land
Oprah Winfrey is not a skeptic. She enthusiastically promoted Rhonda Byrne’s book The Secret. She believes we create our own reality. She lets the medical misinformation and nonsensical opinions of celebrity guests like Suzanne Somers, Christiane Northrup and Jenny McCarthy go unchallenged. Her endorsements of potentially dangerous pseudoscientific health advice… read more "A Skeptic in Oprah-land"
Celebrity Science
The current issue of Reader’s Digest has an article on “The Trouble with Celebrity Science.” “What happens when stars weigh in on medical topics?…Celebrities may be perfectly qualified to evaluate sneakers, but that doesn’t mean you want to learn biochemistry from them.” They mention Tom Cruise’s sweeping condemnation of modern psychiatry, then… read more "Celebrity Science"
Chiropractic in the News
Three recent news items about chiropractic have particularly irritated me. (1) U.S. Army Brigadier General Becky Halstead (Retired) Speaks Out for Chiropractic Care(2) Chiropractic Helps Child with Brain Disorder(3) Swine Flu Chiropractor’s Handout (1) General Halstead has become a spokesperson for The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a nonprofit organization dedicated… read more "Chiropractic in the News"
Hyping Health Risks
Three kids on the same block were diagnosed with leukemia last year. That couldn’t happen just by chance, could it? There MUST be something in the environment that caused it (power lines, the chemical plant down the street, asbestos in their school, iPods, Twinkies?). Quick, let’s measure everything we can… read more "Hyping Health Risks"
Shame on PBS!
I used to have a high opinion of PBS. They ran excellent programs like Nova and Masterpiece Theatre and I felt I could count on finding good programming when I tuned into my local PBS channel. No more. It was bad enough when they started featuring Deepak Chopra, self-help programs,… read more "Shame on PBS!"
Does TV Cause Teen Pregnancy?
I’ll be the first to admit that the quality of TV programming, especially network programs, leaves much to be desired. Critics of television have blamed TV for everything from violence to obesity. Now studies have shown that teens who watch sexy programs are more likely to become sexually active and… read more "Does TV Cause Teen Pregnancy?"
Biofeedback and Laser for Allergies
AllergiCare Relief Centers are a chain of franchises started by a man called David Tucker who is not listed as having an MD or any other title. They offer diagnosis of allergies by biofeedback and treatment of allergies by laser acupuncture. They admit that the method is not backed by… read more "Biofeedback and Laser for Allergies"