This is a wonderful book by Thomas S. Kuhn titled The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kuhn). Although discussing the emerging chiropractic paradigm is beyond the scope of this blog, it warrants being causally mentioned here.
Chiropractic (I argue rightfully so in the context of current human comprehension models) is validating itself according to the rules of the experimental science (which allopathic medicine started doing in twentienth century). Namely, chiropractors are drawing positive conclusions on the effectiveness of spinal adjustments for specific conditions like pain associated with a lumbar disc herniation. This scholarly endeavor is a wonderful task to meet the world at its current position.
However, chiropractic in its formative years started with the paradigm of one-cause one-cure. Meaning that a misaligned spinal bone depressed the function of the nervous system making the body susceptible to disease (a naturopathic concept). Value was placed upon the status of the nervous system (not the genetic code) to optimize/regain health. It was a wonderful and naive idea that later proved wrong for various reasons. Yet I believe that the profession's orginal intent, athough wrong, was admirable. Ironically, seeking out the ultimate cause of disease was similar to our quest of alchemy in the middle ages. Out of both quests came great understanding.
Despite the flop of our original paradigm, chiropractic has transformed itself to exist quite successfully in today's healthcare system. By being holistic & naturopathic instead of mechanistic & allopathic, the profession is recognized as being natural in a growing synthetic world. [For clarification of these words please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractor .]
As Kuhn argued later in his life, the construct we call "science" is likely to be replaced by another construct. If so, maybe this new construct will solve the riddle of human disease. For the sake of everybody, I hope it does.
Dr. Matt