New England Journal of Medicine

I'm curious to know how everyone feels about the research and editorial in the Nov. 4, 1999 issue of the NEJM.

Although the data shows that patients treated with OMM for low back pain use less meds and PT, the article manages to shed a bad light on our profession, and Dr. Howell seized the opportunity to write an ridiculously narrow-minded editorial which I'm sure he viewed as "the words which will really put those M.D.-wannabees in their inferior place."

Has he ever experienced a day in the life of an Osteopathic Medical student?

Has he ever been treated by a D.O. or received surgery from a D.O.?

Has he ever spoken to a patient of a D.O.?

Has he ever received OMM? Oh I forgot...the only D.O's who practice OMM are of "fundamentalist religious orientation."

Hey buddy, don't site poorly substantiated papers from 1987 to support your arguments?

I think it would be only fair for the NEJM to publish an Osteopathic rebuttle to Howell's tunnel-vision chef d'oevre.

Where are sitations of the hundreds of papers supporting the use of OMM?

It is as if this research is the first attempt anyone has ever made to study the effects of OMM. That seems pretty arrogant! It is as if the NEJM is the only publication in existence?!?!

Where do the patients fit in to Howell's picture? Aren't we all working for the common good of our patients?

The Osteopathic profession may not be perfect, but we are serving the needs of society.