The following are testimonials from doctors who have been using Introduction to Chiropractic for many years.

PracticeMakers Products will continually be gathering information from doctors who are using the product. We will attempt to share with our readers, HOW doctors are using the Introduction to Chiropractic™ book, WHAT new programs they have introduced into their community to help expand their practice base, HOW patients reacted to the report of findings using the book, and the experience doctors will be sharing on programs that increase practice success.

Phillip and Maree Ebrall
Victoria, Australia

The tenth edition of this wonderful publication was enthusiastically reviewed in 2000. This reviewer’s appreciation of this work is only strengthened by the current edition. The dominant colour on the cover is a soft blue-grey, a little like the new iridium finish on kitchen appliances. It is a very contemporary look, uncluttered with just four lines of text, a reverse outline of a human body and some orange highlights.

Inside the front cover is space dedicated for the Patient’s Name, Doctor’s Name, and Special Instructions. This is a powerful way to personalise the book as a gift to the patient as part of their total care plan. The quote given on the next page really captures the essence of chiropractic: It is the body that is the hero, not science, not antibiotics … not machines or new devices … the task of the physician today is what it has always been, to help the body do what it has learned so well to do on its own during its unending struggle for survival – to heal itself. It is the body, not the medicine that is the hero. Coming from Ronald J. Glasser M.D. a former assistant professor of paediatrics at the University of Minnesota, it is a poignant reminder of the healing power within.

Sportelli’s journey with this publication began some 30 years ago and each new edition has been the result of a critical review process which has questioned the content and removed issues and statements which were inconsistent with the facts as they were currently understood. Not only have new ideas, facts and interpretations been included, but the language has been carefully modified to strengthen its connection with the changing mind of the consumer. The result is a fresh publication that is in tune with the marketplace. For example there is a page answering the question What about those Miracle Diets? and a two page spread on Chiropractic Concepts of Health Maintenance.

The underlying concept of the book is to provide authoritative support for the personalised information given to the patient by the doctor of chiropractic. If you have a new patient with ‘whiplash’ you can mark pages 36 and 37 Whiplash Injury as well as pages 34 and 35 Care of the Cervical Spine. The language is subtle but honest and is supported by excellent illustrations. There is also a box with six dot points as Instructions for Home Care for a Neck Injury.

If the patient has a back problem then you would mark the section from pages 27 through 33, depending on the information you thought most relevant. There are Facts about Discs including a discussion on how long it may take for a disc problem to respond and a most informative section on Low Back Pain – a Universal Problem. Again there are instructions for home care and a number of excellent illustrations.

The focus of this edition is on health and wellness from senior citizens to children (each has a dedicated page on the value of chiropractic care) within the contemporary context of lifestyle changes, stress management, nutrition and exercise. The work ends with 9 pages on exercise including a selection of specific exercises illustrated by line drawings which can be recommended for individual patients. It is important to appreciate that while this edition broadens the role of chiropractic in health care it does nothing to diminish the importance or significance of the spine in chiropractic practice.

This reviewer remains respectful of Sportelli’s contribution to our profession and appreciative of this work in particular. It is extremely well designed and illustrated; its written content has been refined and reviewed over the years and then refined further. It deals with facts but wraps them in a context of health maintenance that should be attractive to almost every chiropractor. It talks about nutritional supplements, orthotics, reactions following adjustment and reasons why appointments should be kept. It uses language the patient will relate to and has 95 references to the literature.

Dr Sportelli continues to serve the profession well through his ability to educate and communicate and his rock-solid commitment to honesty and integrity. This publication is a potent tool for patient education and will be a powerful asset in your practice. There really is no need for scripted reports of findings, year long contracts and massive up-front payments. Those who practise chiropractic with honour and truthfulness know the benefits of having a waiting room full of patients who want to be there because they understand the chiropractic paradigm. This booklet gives the best support you could ask for.

Richard J. Vahl, D.C., Ph.D., D.A.A.P.M.

Your 11^th Ed. of Introduction to Chiropractic is another professional masterpiece. If the chiropractic profession would accept this informative and very interesting, believable document as its basic charter, the profession would progress well beyond even our wishes.

Once again, it is truly a very impressive, well done professional document that presents and explains a most sensible, rational approach to chiropractic health care. We can all certainly be very proud to showcase this informative booklet to our patients and especially the public at large. It represents a basic compendium for all those who are interested in obtaining a healthy chiropractic lifestyle.

My compliments for such a truly exceptional document. 

Michael J. O'Keefe, D.C.
Medford, NJ

I would like to take this moment to drop you a line in regards to your publication, Introduction to Chiropractic. I have used this publication as a patient education tool for many years in my practice. I find it a helpful adjunct in educating all of my patients. This would include patients that have been to chiropractors previously, as well as patients who have never been to a chiropractor. In both groups of patients, I find that in many cases, the patients have a very poor understanding of what chiropractic is all about. I find that in most cases, they are very confused as to what a chiropractor does and what the goals and objectives of chiropractic treatment are. I have found in my experience that the booklet Introduction to Chiropractic provides a clear and concise description of what chiropractic treatment is and how chiropractic treatment will benefit a patient. The booklet is very helpful in explaining very common conditions that are amenable to chiropractic treatment and the inclusion of exercises in the back of the booklet are very helpful for patient management.

I have reviewed many new patient publications for use in my practice and have found that Introduction to Chiropractic is the most effective patient education tool to achieve the goal of patient education. I would recommend utilization of this publication in all chiropractic practices.

Introduction to Chiropractic has been a vital part of our patient education program. It provides our patients with a clear understanding of their condition and serves as an ongoing reference to a variety of conditions our office treats. It is a well referenced source of information that every chiropractic patient should read.

David W. Jones, D.C.
Spokane, WA

I don't honestly know how long I've been using the Introduction to Chiropractic booklet, but it has to be at least 10 years. I have had other similar booklets come to my attention from time to time, but I have never found one that has done the job so concisely, so conservatively and so completely. No unproven statements, no hard sell pitch, just an all encompassing document professionally presented and carefully documented. I can proudly present this booklet to any patient, regardless of their degree of education or their political-medical persuasion. This booklet doesn't cause embarrassment and does discreetly educate. In our present health care arena, no chiropractor can afford to alienate, and this booklet does a lot for the chiropractor to cost effectively educate the public.

When you begin to gather information for your 10th edition, I do have some suggestions that you may or may not want to incorporate. Certainly when the time comes, and at your convenience, I would send you a short note with my suggestions.

In the meantime, thank you for your excellent booklet. After 28 years in practice, it is the most consistent and positive sales tool at my disposal.

Margaret Preble, D.C.
LaGrange, KY

My husband and I have been using Introduction to Chiropractic booklets ever since the first edition. Each edition has had subtle improvements, but we have always been happy with them and so have our patients. The 3-step exercise program is wonderful and the illustrations cannot be beat! We feel they add class to our practice because they are so attractive and informative. Thank you Dr. Sportelli for all you have done for this profession!!!

Steven M. Bleser, D.C.
Cincinnati, OH

Only you, Dr. Sportelli, and your company know how many copies of Introduction to Chiropractic I have purchased over my 23 years in practice. We have a four doctor chiropractic office which also has massage therapy and rehabilitation services available. Every new patient is supplied with a copy of Introduction to Chiropractic. It is highlighted with colored markers in the most apropos sections. Every speaking engagement which I attend, rather it be the American Business Women's Association, claims adjusters for insurance companies or any other type of group where chiropractic is the principal topic, every attendee in the audience is given an Introduction to Chiropractic booklet.

Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely!

Introduction to Chiropractic is an excellent ambassador for our profession. I have never seen it challenged. I have never heard one negative syllable about it. Yet, the positive comments are overwhelming.

Thank you for making this excellent tool for practice available. I am proud to be a significant consumer of it.