Greg Summers, founder of Summers Chiropractic and Massage in Federal Way, WA is a chiropractor accused of sexually violating three female patients.
Chiropractic care is an alternative medicine health care profession involving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on health. Chiropractic treatment includes manual therapy, such as manipulation of the spine and soft tissues. Treatment may involve exercises and lifestyle counseling.
Chiropractic care has gained legitimacy in the medical industry, and acceptance by many health plans in the U.S. Chiropractic care is generally safe for low back pain, headaches, and neck pain, but Summers allegedly touched female patients in areas that might not have been relevant to alleviating the pain they were experiencing.
Summers had his medical license suspended in early November 2012 after being charged with sexual contact with three female patients. He also changed the medical records of a patient, according to MyNorthwest.com.
According to Huff Post Weird News, Summers allegedly told two of his female victims “intravaginal massage,” would benefit them because of the “invasion of their personal body space” that took place when the chiropractor inserted his fingers in their genitals.
The Federal Way Mirror reports Summers informed one of the patients that the “massages” would prevent scar tissue from forming and would help in taking away pain, according to a statement of charges.
One of the patients was an employee at Summers’ clinic. The female said she was required to provide massages to the chiropractor in training sessions, according to legal documents obtained by Federal Way Mirror. During the sessions, Summers allegedly spoke about his marital problems and how he would “offer his body” as a teaching technique on “how to get a man hard,” according to legal documents.
Summers’ lawyer, Robert Zielke issued a statement in defense of Summers to the News Tribune:
“Anyone can file a complaint against a doctor even when the complaint is not accurate or actionable.” Zielke is a trial lawyer who markets on his website he has recovered damages in excess of one million dollars for his clients. He has been on television and the newspapers involving high-profile cases.
Zielke has legal practice areas in disciplinary complaints and healthcare law. Licensed professionals, such as physcians, pharmacists, accountants, appraisers, dentists, nurses, and mental health counselors retain Zielke to defend them against disciplinary complaints. Zielke has been profiled in Who’s Who in American Law and is a published author. On Zielke’s website is a letter from a dentist who thanked him for his legal help.
Summers has 20 days to respond to the assault and other criminal charges and ask for a hearing.