All of this appears to be the case with chiropractic "medicine" — according to a recent study, treatment from chiropractors doesn't do any particular good that isn't already provided by basic painkillers and taking care of your back.
The report's author, Mark Hancock, of the Back Pain Research Group at the University of Sydney, said if patients receive good advice and take ordinary painkillers there is no need to recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or spinal manipulation.
He said the treatments did not reduce symptoms, were potentially risky and costly.
Source: Telegraph
Traditional chiropractic medicine is based upon the premise that all illness is caused by misalignments of the spine (called "subluxations"). A person who knows how to re-align the spine to its proper shape and position, called a chiropractor, can thus restore a person to good health. Created in 1895 by Daniel Palmer and later promoted by his son, B.J. Palmer, chiropractic medicine uses the not-unreasonable notion that, because our spine leads to all of the nerves to the rest of our body, then anything which affects it will also affect other parts of our body.
It is true that back problems can lead to problems elsewhere — but not in the sense that is traditionally asserted by chiropractors. As The Skeptic's Dictionary explains:
...there is no scientific evidence for spinal subluxations and none have ever been observed by medical practitioners such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, or radiologists. ...There is no scientific evidence to support these ideas. Despite the fact that chiropractors claim there are thousands of studies that prove the effectiveness of spinal manipulation, most support for chiropractic comes from testimonials of people who claim to have been helped by manipulation.
Whether they were helped because nerves were "unblocked" has not been established. And there is no way to measure whether any so-called intelligent energy is even present, much less affected by manipulation. Most of these testimonials have come from people who believe their back pain was alleviated by spinal manipulation. ..,
The model of subluxations maintains that all health problems are due to "blockage" of nerves. "A substantial minority of chiropractors pay very little attention to the patient's history or standard physical findings. Rather, they rely on bogus tests to find 'subluxations'."* It is true that nerves from the spine connect to the organs and tissues of the body and it is true that damage to those nerves affects whatever they connect to: sever the spinal cord and your brain can't communicate with your limbs, though your other organs can still continue to function. These facts, however, have nothing to do with the theory of subluxations.
Palmer and his son were "vitalists," believers in the existence of a form of "intelligent energy" that runs throughout our bodies and is essential to both thought and health. The most common form of vitalism is the age-old notion of a "soul" which is supposed to be the actual source of our self-identity. Vitalism is also common in various forms of alternative medicine, most of which claim to manipulate various forms of "energy" in our bodies in order to "realign" it and thus promote good health. None of it is really consistent with natural science.
In effect, chiropractic medicine can be regarded a more materialistic version of acupuncture — and with little to support it's claims to effectiveness beyond anecdotes. At its best, it can be very useful for someone who is actually suffering from back problems, but it's not clear that a trained and experienced masseuse couldn't do the same. Any attempt to use a chiropractor for more serious illnesses like cancer is dangerous and wasteful.
What this recent study suggests, however, is that even at its best chiropractic treatments really don't do much at all. It's unlikely that many people will care, though, because the magical thinking which pervades subcultures like this are resilient to evidence and scientific studies. Given that a chiropractic treatment can generally cause a person to at least feel better afterwards, of course people will keep going.
People haven't stopped using prayer and faith healers, despite the even worse evidence for their effectiveness. The underlying reasons are similar: once people are committed to a belief system which relies heavily on something like this, the psychological and emotional costs of getting out can be too high. This is not to say that chiropractic is a "religion," but we can perhaps understand more about religion and religious beliefs by looking at systems where similar forms of magical, non-scientific reasoning form the basis of behavior and personal commitments.
Years ago my best friend went to a chiropractor regularly to get “adjusted,” as he called it. He claimed it worked wonders. I went to the small office with him a couple of times and waited for him in the reception area, which was directly next to the treatment rooms. From there I could clearly hear the sound of snapping and cracking of patients’ backs while they were being “adjusted,” a sound which sent chills of horror down my spine and made me experience waves of nausea. I can only imagine what the patients were feeling. My friend (poor guy) would emerge from the treatment room looking tired and ashen. I told him on a number of occasions that he could get just as “adjusted” by a masseuse, and perhaps even get a “happy ending” out of it (I was joking…well, maybe not). Anyway he still has a bad back and no longer goes to charlatans who snap the spines of gullible people seeking relief for bad backs. Acupuncture is another wacky horror show. Perhaps these treatments work on those who truly believe they are legitimate, and don’t work on us skeptics. At any rate, I am a doctor hater and rarely let a REAL one touch me, much less the chiropractors and acupuncturists.
All of you are morons or idiots. Take you pick…..Plain and simple….. Scientific research shows the efficacy of chiropractic care for not only musculoskeletal conditions but somato-visceral ailments too. Geez, get a life and actually be productive in your society….
Does that include “treatments” like “color therapy”?
Many, many years ago a friend of mine went to a chiropractor. The only thing I could see happening was the doctor’s wallet getting fatter. I’m not a doctor hater, however, I do try and avoid them as much as possible.
I have been to a chiropractor as well, but many years ago for some serious back pain. Doctors weren’t helping me, so some friends who are big on alternative medicine recommended I try it. I actually did feel better … for maybe an hour or two. Then the symptoms always came back and I had to keep going to the chiropractor over and over again to get even that much relief. Regular doctors didn’t do much for me, but at least I went to them once and paid once. I finally realized I couldn’t afford the chiropractor any more and had to stop going.
Years later, I realized that my problems were from sitting too much and that I needed to exercise my back more. That’s pretty much it. It was like having a bad kink in your neck. Besides, I figured out that I can crack my own back if I want. Then I learned not to do it too often or you’ll have to keep doing it. It’s bad for you. This can lead to a cycle of regular chiropractic visits that seriously drain your wallet. Not recommended.
I think chiropractic is quackery. Also, STEER CLEAR of the practicioner who claims to be able to treat E-D with acupuncture
I had been suffering from back pain due to a herniated disk and my brother recommended I go to this “Network” Chiropractor he knew. This guy didn’t do many rough adjustments, he usually just pressed some points in your spine.
Well, I did feel better temporarily after each treatment, but I soon realized that what made me feel better was lying face down for ten minutes on the massage table (the kind that has a hole for your face).
The general gist of what I hear from people involved in chiropractic medicine and people who work in conventional medicine is that it seems to help with back pain but that you shouldn’t use it for anything else.
I’ve been to chiropractors, physical therapists and osteopathic doctors. The chiropractors and physical therapists do many of the same things. The osteopathic doctor adjusted me. I guess if chiropractic medicine in voodoo, as far as I see it, physical therapy and osteopathic medicine is too. By the way, all 3 of these people have helped me over the past 30 years.
Oddly on the same day I see this article I also see below article.
“Practice guidelines published in the October 2007 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine and targeted toward “all clinicians caring for patients with low (lumbar) back pain of any duration, either with or without leg pain” recommend spinal manipulation for patients whose pain does not improve with self-care.”
Guess that proves the bias of this article. This article discusses not one bit of research. I’ll bet the “Annals …” lists pages of credible research or they wouldn’t recommend spinal manipulation to thousands of internists in this country.
Although chiropractic “philosophy” is “magical” to some (great?) extent, it’s true that spinal manipulations can help some people – to people that have problems with their spine.
A chiropractor has helped me much for my back and especially my neck and I doubt that any other kind of “treatment” would do the same. I couldn’t really describe my previous condition as pain (although sometimes I felt pain) but as a great discomfort and tension in my back (painkillers for that? no way! they’re not healthy and while they could resolve the pain, they just can’t relieve that discomfort and tension). These days I visit a chiropractor maybe once per month or rarely – when I feel greater discomfort in my back that should be fixed. And he fixes it. And I’m good for some time. What’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing.
I actually realized that a magical combination is a chiropractic manipulation and a massage – first to fix you spine and relieve discomfort and a massage to relax your muscles.
Also, physical exercise helps, especially yoga (yes, I see it purely as a physical exercise combined with relaxation).
The National Cancer Society warns:
“Chiropractic is considered fairly safe. However, there have been some reported cases of paralysis, blindness, and rarely even death following chiropractic care. There have also been reports of misdiagnoses of patients’ conditions, resulting in delayed medical care and worse outcomes. Several people with cancer developed paraplegia (paralysis of the legs) and quadriplegia (full-body paralysis) after manipulation of the spine when cancer had spread to and weakened the bones.
People with bleeding problems or those on anticoagulants (blood thinners) may have a higher risk of stroke caused by manipulation of the spine. People with cancer and chronic conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, and weakened bones, should talk to their doctors before having any type of therapy that involves manipulation of joints and muscles.”
From: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Chiropractic.asp
The first time I had “wry neck,” I went to an emergency room. They gave me some very heavy drugs to relax my muscles and relive the pain. The second time, I went to a chiropractor, and was helped without drugs.
While I would not go to a chiropractor if I was seeking cancer treatment, it sure helped me with my back and neck problems.
I have to agree with God Isn’t. My only “experience” with chiropractors is second-hand. I’ve never stepped foot in an office. My husband goes regularly _when_ he’s working. His work is physically demanding, and I agree with the article and some of the other posters—it appears to be beneficial in terms that a massage might also be. But, I don’t know what other people pay these guys–but my husband’s visits are less expensive than a masseuse visit would be; and his chiropractor is “out of network” for us.
I agree that “spinal subluxations” sounds ridiculous, and I’ve never heard it before. I would call a cancer patient insane if he/she sought help from a chiropractor.
However, I have one massive beef with this article that starts with this set of quotes:
“The report’s author, Mark Hancock, of the Back Pain Research Group at the University of Sydney, said if patients receive good advice and take ordinary painkillers there is no need to recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or spinal manipulation.”
“He said the treatments did not reduce symptoms, were potentially risky and costly.”
If I achieve the same benefits from taking good care of my back and taking OTC painkillers…how can it then be said that chiropractic care does “not reduce symptoms”? Do Advil and Tylenol _not_ work to relieve pain? Does it _not_ improve one’s health to exercise and take care of one’s body?
The hard reality is that most of the people I know seek ANY medical treatment because they _don’t_ take care of their bodies. Most of them don’t exercise much, correctly, or AT ALL. Most of them never put a piece of whole food in their mouths, and instead consume a diet of over-processed salty, sugary, simple-carb based “food” (mystery food in cans/bags/fast food restaurants/microwave trays) that has little to no real nutrition. Lots of people I know continue to smoke, drink (which, for women is a one-way ticket to breast cancer), sit sedentary at desks all day…and the list goes on.
If we called every medical professional who treated primarily illnesses brought on by people “ taking care of themselves” or not wanting to take drugs on a regular basis to alleviate pain—every doctor in America would be a “charlatan.”
Chiropractic may be based on a philosophy that is crap. I really don’t know anything about its roots other than what’s in this article. But this criticism that (paraphrasing) “the same results can be achieved by taking care of oneself or buying Advil” could be applied to loads of people suffering from minor/major cardiovascular issues, diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insomnia, cancer (ACS estimates about 1/3 of all cancer is lifestyle related—basically brought on by not taking care of ourselves), and the list is endless.
But I don’t see that stopping doctors from prescribing Lipitor instead of telling people to go home and do some running and eat a bowl of oatmeal (even though one of the few studies I’ve read regarding high cholesterol suggested that oatmeal FAR surpasses low fat diet and nearly hit the same levels of effectiveness as Lipitor in effectively lowering patient cholesterol). I could easily say, “Lipitor doesn’t do anything a daily handful of almonds, a bowl of oatmeal, and some regular running can’t cure…so it’s a scam.” Of course Lipitor will bring down cholesterol. It works; but it comes with organ damage issues that could be avoided if people would just eat right and exercise (even those with genetic predisposition). I told my doctor I refuse to take Lipitor. I went home, studied the problem, started eating oatmeal and working out—voila! No more high cholesterol. So, is my doctor a charlatan for pushing Lipitor first for something I could treat MUCH more cheaply and just as effectively at home?
I guess as far as saying (basically), “If people would take care of themselves they could get the same results,” for a licensed medical doctor to say that about ANYONE ELSE is really the pot calling the kettle black—since his practice likely survives on people NOT taking care of themselves. I don’t have stats—but I’d bet that a good number of licensed medical practitioners are treating a good number of “illnesses” that are the direct result of crap lifestyles that start with poor diet and lack of exercise and end with things like being over-weight/obesity, smoking and excessive drinking (although, again, even moderate drinking in women is a huge health risk).
I don’t think that makes them charlatans—although they are preying on many who are either too lazy or ignorant to achieve the same results without paying a copay (and charging a hell of a lot more than chiropractors).
I appreciate medical science. But I have HUGE issues regarind the current level of dependence people have these days with wanting doctors to “fix” problems they have spent lifetimes creating themselves from personl neglect and abuse; or problems they could easily fix if they weren’t terrified of breaking a sweat or swearing off beer, cookies and cheeseburgers.
And seeing a doctor accuse chiropractors of wrongdoing for this same thing is hard to hear. Although, again, I don’t defend the woo-woo subluxation theory.
Just spoke to my husband and have to add this:
He said his chiropractor wouldn’t touch him until he got x-rays and handed over his medical history. He said the entire practice/office appears to be about backcare, and nothing else, and they have never, that he is aware, made any claims about treating anything but back and neck. And he says they recommended back excercises for him to do on his own.
And, in his mid-40s, with a genetic history of high cholesterol, having been a personal trainer and triathalete (who still works out regularly)…his cholesterol was measured at 240 by our general practitioner (he sees the same doctor who was hot to prescribe Lipitor to both of us; but, like me, he refused it). He began eating a bowl of oatmeal every day and a handful of almonds (didn’t change his workouts at all), and the last measurement for his cholesterol was 105.
When a doctor tries to sell expensive and potentially dangerous drugs for a problem just about anyone can fix on their own with a SIMPLE lifestyle adjustment, I don’t see how the medical community can level such a charge as the one I quoted above from the article.
Try telling the people in excruciating pain, who have not responded to anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, muscle relaxants, pain killers, accupuncture, exercise and massage: Chiropractic doesn’t work.
See what response you get. It’s patently ridiculous for people to indicate “it’s a sham”. Most patients goto a Chiropractor as a last resort when NONE of the aforementioned things work. I guess it’s just psychosomatic B.S. that these patients respond to that form of treatment.
As far as “philosophy” is concerned: LOOK UP THE HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE.
I DARE YOU. It’s exactly the same as CHIROPRACTIC. It was just developed by a different individual…
One day the Allopathic medical doctors came knocking on both the respective doors of the Osteopathic and Chiropractic Physicians….In a sense they were BOTH asked to join the allopathic community. One group joined: the Osteopaths. One group didn’t: the Chiropractors. Decades later, people goto see their friendly neighborhood Osteopath for the same things they goto see their Medical Doctor for. Most people wouldn’t even know the difference except for the D.O. after their name rather than the M.D..
Philosophically the two disciplines were exactly the same.
Disregardless: Some Australian article on the efficacy of Chiropractic is hardly the be all, end all of the issue. Think what you’d like, but Chiropractic MEDICINE is the LARGEST PROVIDER OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT THAT IS REIMBURSED BY PRACTICALLY EVERY INSURANCE CARRIER ON THE PLANET.
I can’t say the same for any other.
Insurance carriers are typically not in the business of paying for what is not scientifically “proven”.
So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
Back up what you say with fact, not hype. You want to tear down one profession for your own gain, go right ahead and try to. It will take more than one misguided and inept article to derail an entire profession.
By the way: the history of “medicine” is full of half cocked ideas about what is an appropriate form of treatment.
The gentleman that invented the “germ” theory: Lister….was practically driven insane and laughed out of the medical community because he told his fellow physicians to “wash their hands” before delivering babies and performing surgery. He devoutly believed that there were microscopic organisms that were contributing to disease.
Fortunately he was right. However, most of his respected colleagues thought he was an ahole. None too bright.
Through the 1950’s, 60’s and even the 70’s…..medical doctors were removing “tonsils” without understanding their basic function. The same was said of the “appendix”. Both were considered “vestgial” organs: which means they had some form of use in our evolutionary past, but none at the present time. What they didn’t know is that they were actually part of our immune system. These immune organs were being removed “prophylactically” so that they could never become infected.
To imagine that medical doctors would remove a perfectly healthy organ that is your first line of defense against disease is incomprehensible.
However, bash all you want. People aren’t as stupid as you think. They have the capacity to think and act on their own which is something that is horrifying to people that want to dominate and control “medicine”.
G’day mate!
So, Suspicious Article, nice speech. Do you have any objective evidence that chiropractic works?
It’s a neverending story…
Research is available… Just go google pubmed and then type in key words (chiropractic, low back, neck, etc.)… You will find a growing body of evidence that chiropractic is efficient. Not only in neck and low back, but many other functional conditions (that the MDs call idiopathic – no known cause)… The thing is people still see chiropractic as they presented themselves 100 years ago, treating subluxation due to nerve pressure blocking the Innate… WAKE UP! Chiropractic has changed, following science… replace subluxation by segmental functional disturbance, nerve pressure by nerve irritation, and innate by bioelectric phenomenon… and you have a scientifically sound theory. Then regarding the safety, most of the accidents reported were not peformed by chiropractors but physical therapists and MDs… look up the litterature! Of course some accident happened, but look at the figures from drugs and surgery…
Finally, regarding research, people that don’t do it (including doctors) don’t realize how hard it is to control the parameters… Nowadays, the highest-rating research is called RCT (controlled-trial) in double-blind… meaning that neither doctor or patient know if they are being given the correct drug… DO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM? how can a doctor don’t know if he’s adjusting a patient, and except if the patient is stupid or never has been touched in his life, it’s hard not to know if you’ve been adjusted or cuddled…
So really, all that skeptisism is based on fear and lack of curosiy…
I think that there is room for all, for no one has the complete and perfect truth about health…
Not a huge issue, but just to point out:
>Insurance carriers are typically not in the business of paying for what is not scientifically “proven”.
I _nearly_ pointed this out in my post–I began to add that our insurance covers chiropractic, and that might be meaningful; HOWEVER (and it’s a big HOWEVER), it also covers accupuncture and various other “alternative” treatments that are sort of borderline/questionable. I do think a lot of larger insurance companies will now cover less-proven therapies, they just limit “number of visits” and things like that. That’s why I decided against using the “my insurance carrier covers 2 visits a year for ‘alternative’ therapies, including chiropractic.”
Again, this isn’t to say it’s ineffective. Just to say that’s not the most compelling point in proving it should be considered effective, in my book.
“So, Suspicious Article, nice speech. Do you have any objective evidence that chiropractic works?”: HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF ARTICLES DO YOU NEED? PubMed has them all. By the way, do you have any OBJECTIVE articles that Chiropractic DOESN’T WORK?
“…it (INSURANCE) also covers accupuncture and various other “alternative” treatments that are sort of borderline/questionable.”: I know quite a few MEDICAL DOCTORS THAT PRACTICE ACCUPUNCTURE. As a matter of fact I’m friendly with a few pain management specialists/anesthesiologists that actively use accupuncture in their practice….I wonder why they’d use something so “unproven”, “unscientific” and outmoded. After all, they have every concoction known to man in their pharmacopia. Why use something that’s 5000+ years old to alleviate pain when they can just inject you with their latest potions?
You know why? Because a large body of evidence supports accupuncture for pain relief.
I’m starting to see with certainty that a large percentage of the people posting here DON’T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE.
They like to blow smoke about what they don’t understand.
The things you’re picking apart like a Thanksgiving turkey are being utilized BY YOUR OWN MEDICAL DOCTORS.
They ACTIVELY PRESCRIBE AND REFER FOR CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT, ACCUPUNCTURE, MASSAGE, and EVEN HOMEOPATHY.
Jesus! There are even large hospitals in the U.K. that offer Homeopathy to the Royal Family as their primary form of Medicine.
I’m not going to go into another diatribe about “supportive literature”. If you’re too illiterate to find the voluminious large pile of evidence that would take a lifetime to read…then wallow in your own misery and pain.
Instead you want someone to point to a “silver bullet” that’s going to put an end to this discussion.
It can literally go on for years and generations and has persisted to this day.
Most of the arguments don’t come from people in the “know”. It’s mostly dinasours that practiced medicine in the 1940’s that are still alive for some unknown reason. The others I won’t even begin to speculate on except to say that illiterate is as illiterate does. NOT STUPID MIND YOU. ILLITERATE. Meaning not well read or well versed in the subject.
By the way: I’ve always said that you can judge how effective a system of healthcare is by looking at the population of people it serves. None can be a better example than Oriental Medicine and Accupuncture.
The systems are thousands (5+) of years old, compared to what we have been developing for less than 2000. Look at the population explosion in China! If their medicine didn’t work at all, they’d arguably have a much smaller population, that didn’t live half as long.
Instead you see the opposite. So they use “exotic” types of herbs that are not well understood by any practicioner in the Western World.
The same can be said of the pharmaceuticals that have been developed in that last few decades. You have people scouring the rainforests for new pharmacologic agents to fight off diseases ranging from Alhzeimers to Cancer.
What you DON’T KNOW ABOUT CAN HURT YOU IF YOU DON’T USE IT.
Thank the powers that be that all of America and the rest of the world doesn’t think like 70% of the posters here. Otherwise we’d still be using leeches and draining the excess of “humors” that people have.
People do see the “wrong” side of Chiropractic. The philosophy that was propagated 100 years ago. Not the science and evidence based practitioners that exist today.
I will admit: there are a handful of what is termed “straight” Chiropractors that still perpetuate the very old ideas about Chiropractic. However, in their defense alot of what they said 100 years ago has been validated by studies again and again. The body is controlled by the Brain, the brain extends into the spinal cord and branches into peripheral nerves. These nerves are constantly sending signals to and from the brain so that you can move, and so that you can feel. Additionally, there are parts of your nervous system that are not usually under your control (autonomic). These handle your digestive processes, cardiac function, etc. Things that you should not be handling on your own. After all, you’d hate to have to concentrate on digesting while walking or typing.
Chiropractors talk to their patients about interference in this communication. By the way: Orthopedic surgeons and Neurosurgeons understand the basic underlying importance of this relationship when they question their patients about back pain. If their patients display bowel or bladder dysfunction when they have back pain, it is usually considered a surgical emergency where nerve roots and/or the spine are being compressed.
Chiropractors don’t talk about that type of compression, they talk in much more subtle degrees of compression and prevention of these types of problems.
The word “subluxation” means “incomplete dislocation” and is a MEDICAL TERM (look it up). Since Chiropractors primarily deal with the spine, major dislocations are not compatible with life. Dislocation of a shoulder is probably what you are accumstomed to hearing about.
The spine itself, which houses and protects the sensitve nerves and spinal cord can become dysfunctional in the way it moves (kinesiopathology: look it up). When that happens, and persists over time, the spinal bones tend to deteriorate for two reasons which have been validated by science (look it up): 1) Lack of “imbibition” (look it up), which is the way your joints stay healthy, through an influx of new nutrients and lubricating fluids. Without appropriate motion between all the segments of your spine or any joint, it cannot properly lubricate or nutrify itself. Therefore it begins to deteriorate. 2) Lack of joint “proprioception”, (look it up), which means simply your brain doesn’t quite know what position your joint is in, therefore cannot regulate the tone of the muscles that support the joint properly. This leads to muscle strain, pain and damage, as well as further kinesiopathology.
This is a problem for a few reasons, but primarily if the joints of your spine (or any other joint) is not functioning and moving properly, it’s like any other machine: it can break down. When your spinal joints deteriorate that’s a SIGNIFICANT problem, not only resulting in pain but resulting in the lack of protection for the structures within.
If you think deterioration of the spine is not significant: ask any person with a “herniated, protruded, extruded or sequestered” disc how they feel. Ask them what types of problems they experience.
Orthopedic surgeons have known for years that a significant left sided scoliosis of the spine can affect lung and heart function. This is another type of disorder that is common and requires surgery if it progresses to far.
So in the end: disregardless of what fairy tales you’ve been told…Chiropractors are preventative and active care practitioners that seek to promote health by monitoring your spine and its’ function.
Just like the dentist who watches the health of your teeth (by the way recent studies demonstrate a lack of oral health can contribute to heart disease), a Chiropractor watches the health of your spine.
The only reason Chiropractic care is tied to all other systems of the body classically is that the Brain and spine are considered “master control centers”. It means simply that you cannot exist without either.
I think it’s undisputed that you cannot function without a brain (although reading some of these posts leads me to believe otherwise…). If Chiropractors protect the very things that control everything else….it’s not such a stretch for them to speak in those terms.
Imagine the implications of severing the spinal cord: paralysys below that level.
Look at what happend to Christopher Reeve: he broke his neck in a vital area that helps regulate heart and diaphragm. This meant that his heart was beating irregularly, and that he couldn’t breath on his own because he broke an area of his spine that regulated it.
People don’t have to “break” their spinal cord to accomplish the same. Deteriorative changes DO OCCUR over time and can put ample pressure on the spinal cord and associated structures.
The condition “MYELOPATHY” (look it up) is literally pressure on the spinal cord that is being exhibited by the spinal bones themselves (or sometimes things growing or existing abnormally within the spinal canal). This can cause paralysis and some of the other problems described above.
This are NOT CHIROPRACTIC, they’re MEDICAL TERMS. However Chiropractors treat these patients with success every day of the week.
So, I’m done with this. I highly doubt I’ll be posting anymore. You either belive or your don’t. You’ll either look up the research or you won’t.
What I’m certain about is that ignorance will continue to exist in many facets of life. People will continue to be racist, classist, prejudice, selfish, etc.
There are those that can actively seek the truth. They won’t allow others to color or define their world. They won’t blindly accept the things people say….INCLUDING MY OWN STATEMENTS.
They will seek to define and validate their own thoughts and beliefs. That’s the ONLY THING I HOPE YOU TAKE AWAY FROM MY RANT.
Don’t believe me, don’t believe this article that prompted these posts. Belive yourself, no matter what. But DO ACTIVELY SEEK THE TRUTH.
Don’t listen to someones horror story about a Chiropractor and let that be the end. Don’t listen to my tales of the body and let it end there either.
Be a true student of the multiverse (by the way, that’s a scientific fact now…look it up: multiple universes (I think it was in Scientfic American a few years back)).
I’ll just leave you with a quote from Yoda:
Pain leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.
F-Ignorance!
Suspicious Article,
Sorry I couldn’t reply sooner. I was out of town.
“…do you have any OBJECTIVE articles that Chiropractic DOESN’T WORK?”
Rather than go through each and every one of the studies, I will refer you to the report from William T. Jarvis, since he has already examined the studies and reports and summarized them for us, including citations of the available studies.
http://www.chirobase.org/01General/controversy.html
Jarvis notes that chiropractic is not based on science. “…the chiropractic health-care system has failed to meet the most fundamental standards applied to medical practices: to clearly define itself and to establish a science-based scope of practice.”
Jarvis then notes the lack of evidence to support the claims of chiropractic efficacy, “Chiropractors point with pride to selected worker’s compensation studies that show that chiropractic care got workers back on the job sooner and for less cost than did medical care. But these studies were not scientifically controlled for the severity of the injuries, and not all workmen’s compensation studies have been favorable to chiropractic.”
Jarvis also examines the basic premis of modern chiropractic, that illnesses are caused by “subluxations”, “…chiropractors have never defined a subluxation in measurable terms, nor shown that it even exists. Despite the ability of neurophysiologists to measure nerve impulses, chiropractors have not shown that impinging a spinal nerve alters an impulse beyond the zone of impingement, nor have they shown that disrupting a nerve impulse produces disease.” and, “Studies of the ability of two or more chiropractors to find the same subluxation(s) on either the same x-ray film or in the same patients have demonstrated that chiropractors cannot even agree among themselves about what specific conditions need treatmen.” along with, “In the mid-1960s, an official delegation of chiropractic representatives, including a radiologist of their own choosing, failed to identify a single subluxation on a series of 20 x-ray films.”
But diagnostics are not the only area where chiropractors are shown to be lacking. According to Jarvis, “Chiropractors not only find subluxations as elusive as the mythical unicorn, but they also disagree wildly about how to go about treating them. Some believe that each vertebral level corresponds to a specific disorder. Others believe that it is necessary to manipulate only the seven cervical vertebrae to effect a cure. “Hole-in-one” (their term) practitioners believe that it is necessary to adjust only the atlas (topmost) vertebra. Basic sacral chiropractors agree that only one vertebra needs to be adjusted, but rather than the topmost, it is the sacrum, located at the bottom of the spine. Still another group adjusts both the atlas and sacral vertebrae. Others adjust the entire spine in a shotgun approach, while another group measures leg lengths in order to level up the spine. No scientific criteria have been applied to resolve these conditions.”
But by all means, Suspicious Article, go to a chiropractor if you want. Maybe you’ll happen to find one that uses spinal manipulative therapy close enough to medical care to help you in some way. Then again, maybe not. Maybe you’ll happen upon one of those D.C.’s who cause a stroke or paralysis, or maybe just one that takes your money without causing any real harm. Whatever. It’s no skin off my behind what you do or how you waste your money.
I actually read this study and, as a researcher, am qualified to make an informed opinion.
This study done on “chiropractic” was performed by physiotherapists who used joint mobilization (Grade I-IV) and not thrust manipulation (Grade V high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulation.
So, in short, this study had nothing to do with chiropractors nor their main manual modality, SMT.
Also blogger to imply that all DCs wolrd wide subscribe and teach traditional subluxation theory is inself a dated theory.
This generation of DCs are trained to be provide manual and other conservative therapies for neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Get informed!
I would never take an Atheist seriously. How do you when they believe that Man is the most intelligent being in the universe? Chiropractic is not a religion. The founders did think that energy does control the body. Now quantum physics is proving this and the Chinese have believed this for 6000+ years. Hey, but what do they know? It was only a few years ago that M.D.s told people that smoking could help with their lungs. Chiropractors were telling people smoking was bad for them 100 years ago. Medicine has only recently come to the forefront (with the help of advertising). “There is a principle that is bar against all information, proof against argument, a principle that will never fail to hold one in everlasting ignorance….that is the principle of contempt prior to investigation.”
Why should you be taken seroiusly, given how you make claims without offering support and pretend to “contradict” ideas which no one has asserted?
Which atheists say this?
No one said it was; in fact, exactly the opposite was stated.
Feel free to provide evidence of what quantum physics is “proving.”
M.D.s who weren’t in the employ of the tobacco industry? Feel free to list their names and cite their works.
What else were chiropractors saying 100 years ago?
I would never take an Atheist seriously. How do you when they believe that Man is the most intelligent being in the universe?
Hmmmm, which of the tenents of atheism states this? I msut have missed the memo. Personally I would never trust someone who makes such sweeping generalizations. wink
Ron, i’m sorry no one else got your hilarious joke.
Questioners joke is pretty funny too.
The Chiropractor has relieved me from a lot of pain with 4 buldging disks. I could hardly move and he gave me my life back.
I will say however, he introduced me to an inversion table. That may have helped more than snapping my spine.
I am athiest w/ a health sciece degree, athletic leadership minor, a CSCS cerification from NSCA, was a collegiate athlete, and after years of research in the medical feild and working in different medical professions, I concluded Chiropractic should be the first step towards health.
It’s great that some of you have concerns; however, we should all research other professions and become a little more educated before puting yourself out there and sounding like an idiout.
I am a cancer survivor who is alive and mobile today in spite of western medicine and because of chiropractic health care and prevention. Those who commented who have no frame of reference should keep their opinions to themselves. Chiropractic goes to the cause rather than masking the symptom, and there have been thousands of deaths and disablement due to medications and wrongful medical treatment prescribed and performed by members of the AMA. Let’s not forget how many medications are recalled each year by the FDA due to death and massive side effects. Please check your facts before and experience before you spout irrational statements about chiropractic and its practioners.
Well, please provide proof for this claim.
I have checked the history and claims of chiropractic. You are free to defend them, if you can. You are also welcome to provide some verifiable facts yourself that we can check — like evidence supporting your claim about your being cured. Was it written up in any peer-reviewed medical journals?
chiropractic has been around for over 100 year and in south florida we have a chiropractor on every corner. My point is, there must be ALOT of people using them and I happen to be one of them.
In my 20 years as a chiropractic doctor (5000+ hrs. of primary contact education) iv’e seen it all. Chiropracic spinal adjustments and lifestyle counseling (including nutrition) addresses and solves “your run of the mill” health issues.
Meanwhile my medical doctor (4600 hrs. of primary contact education) counter part continues to disenfranchise the public with medicating symptoms while not addressing the primary reason for dis-ease.
When will the people “wake up” and see the logic that chiropractic et. al. (holistic providers) are the answer, not the “alternative”.
The time for taking the “reigns” of health care is ripe for holistic health care!
Chiropractic (5000+ hrs) is much more in tune with the primary premise of life than medicine (4600 hrs).
Keeping faith in medications(poisonous chemicals) as a means to address dis-ease is a sure means to attain death (750,000 Americans and an estimated 10 million people world wide died last year from medical intervention).
No wonder why chiropractic is the fastest growing primary care doctor!
…we should all research other professions and become a little more educated before puting yourself out there and sounding like an idiout. — Chiro to be on August 12, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Heh. You spelled “idiot” wrong. Kind of ironic, huh?
Austin is too polite to point out all the misspellings in your post, but I just live for that kind of thing:
athiest
sciece
cerification
feild
puting
and of course: idiout.
Dr. Gross:
You’ve made your living for 20 years by selling chiropractic, and now I should just take your word for it that it’s better than conventional medicine?
I don’t think so.
I have epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. I went to a chiropractor.
I came home and had multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, BUT, with more pain and multiple life threating seizures.
I went to a “Traditional” doctor and had MRI’s and CAT scans and Video EEG’s done at Cornell NY Presbyterian Hospital and spinal taps and brain wave tests performed. I’ve had over 50 MRI’s on my brain, brain stem and spinal cord. Currently I take 12 different medications to prevent seizures, relive pain, prevent fatigue and for depression/mood which are another gift from the two different types of lesions, one from epilepsy the other ms.
Three years ago I was a competitive triathlete and marathon runner with now I type on atheist blogs.
However, I digress. I have always wanted to go to a “faith healer” and get my epilepsy cured and come back after a few days of not taking my meds and have a gran mal seizure on the floor frothing at the mouth and flopping around on the floor, just for kicks mind you.
Just go to why does god hate amputees .com. Very funny.
Holistic medicine, “faith healing”, power of blah, blah is all nice but when you have incurable neurologically based diseases, or other similar type issues, you’ll be thankful for the medicines that save your life.
PS- I was just kidding, I never went to a chiropractor, would be bothered.
I never had an opinion of Chiropractic. I was in an automobile accident. I have a herniated disc in my neck, c5, pain and numbness.
I was advised to go to a Chiropractor. I had x-rays, and was told I need treatment. I went 3 times a week for about 3 months.
I noticed not much of an improvement. I was told, my Chiropractic treatments would work better If I bought his vitamins. I bought them. After 3 months, I was still sore.
I was also told part of my problem, my back is out of adjustment because on leg was a little longer than the other.
I was told by a family member to try another Chiropractor. I was in bad pain, I just wanted to get better. I saw a new DC, He was a great listener.
This guy was very strict, telling me all my problems were with my back. Ice, icey hot, and many adjustments followed. He started stretches. After a few more months, I still felt pretty sore, my hand was still very numb.
I next went to a neurologist, had an MRI, not an x-ray. He said I want to send to to Physical therapy. I had my neck put in some type of traction.
The neurologist gave a script of Ultram. This helped the pain, and gave my more range of motion. Needless to say, Physical therapy in 3 weeks bested 6 months of Chiropractic for me.
I am now better, pain sometimes comes and goes, but not like it was before. For my Chiropractic care it was that productive.
Look, while I can understand that straight chiropractors are a load of bull, try not to lump the mixers in with them.
D.D.Palmer was insane, adjustments are not, as long as they’re scientifically backed-up and used along with other treatments such as heat therapy, nutrition management and heat therapy.
OK, point to the peer-reviewed, scientific evidence backing up any chiropractic “adjustments.”
Austin,
While there are many chiros out there promoting “magical thinking” and many of your criticisms are valid, you’re dug in and dismissing an entire profession based on the behavior of a portion and ignoring supporting evidence.
Most of the chiropractors I know are hard working, empirically minded professionals. There goal is to help their fellow humans, while earning a decent living. While we can’t help everyone, together with our medical colleagues, we can help more people together. Chiropractors offer a perspective and expertise that is of value in the healthcare system.
While there are patients I have been unable to help, there are far more I have helped in my 23 years of practice. While anecdotal, here are a few examples in the last few weeks.
A young mother with trigeminal neuralgia (severe face pain tingling numbness) for over a year was not helped with medication. In 2 weeks she was only experiencing mild occasional symptoms. The source of the problem was cervical occipital joint dysfunction, MDs rarely consider.
An 86-year-old woman with low back pain with weakness and numbness in both lower extremities for years. After 2 weeks she has minimal low back pain and no lower extremity symptoms. She can now ambulate and change position far more easily than prior to treatment. She slept through the night for the first time in 6 years without her leg pain waking her up every 2 hours.
For those considering chiropractic treatment, you should see a significant improvement (approximately 50% improvement) in 2-3 weeks or 6 visits. Not that you will be cured in this time, but see a sustained improvement.
http://www.acatoday.org/level3_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61&T3ID=150
Migraines http://www.springerlink.com/content/a41rw34473125167/fulltext.pdf
dysmenorrhea- painful menstruation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18394502
lumbar radiculopathy secondary to herniated disk
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20004799
So, you deny that “magical thinking” was at the heart and origin of chiropractic “medicine”?
How much peer reviewed research supports you? Not anecdotal stories of your own experience, but science.