Chiropractic Continues With Its Deaf Ear To Evidence

https://www.quackwatch.org/00AboutQuackwatch/chd.html

Consumer Health Digest #18-11

Persistent chiropractic problems noted

• Samuel Homola, D.C., who retired after 43 years in practice, described: (a) his efforts opposing subluxation-based practice of chiropractic while advocating unsuccessfully for the development of his profession as science-based musculoskeletal specialty, (b) evidence that organized chiropractic continues to be based on discredited subluxation theory, (c) the role of discredited "natural" healing methods in contemporary chiropractic, (d) the potential for benefit and harm of spinal manipulation therapy, and (e) how chiropractic and physical therapy compare as career choices. [Homola S. Inside chiropractic: Past and present problems. Chirobase, Mar 15, 2018]

• Ryan Armstrong, Ph.D. described: (a) the lack of evidence for subluxation theory, combined chiropractic interventions, and spinal manipulative therapy; (b) different belief systems within chiropractic; (c) problems with pediatric chiropractic, including opposition to vaccination; and (d) lack of regulation in Ontario, Canada of chiropractors promoting unsubstantiated methods of diagnosis and treatment. [Armstrong R. Chiropractic: a modern threat to Canadian health. Post-Truth Health, Dec 17, 2017] Armstrong is on a list of chiropractic critics being monitored by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario. [Adhopia V. Chiropractic critics being monitored by Ontario's College of Chiropractors. CBC, March 17, 2018]

• Yvette d'Entremont described: (a) chiropractic's lack of development since its origin; (b) worrisome efforts by chiropractors to be permitted by schools to conduct exams to fulfill sports physical requirements for students; (c) the activities of celebrity chiropractors Josh Axe, Eric Berg, and Billy DeMoss; (d) problems with pediatric chiropractic, including opposition to vaccination; and (e) risks of chiropractic treatment. [d'Entremont Y. Chiropractors are bullshit. The Outline, June 22, 2017]

• Edzard Ernst, M.D., Ph.D. responded to a chiropractor who criticized d'Entremont's article. [Ernst E. 'Chiropractors are bullshit': A rebuttal of a rebuttal. EdzardErnst.com, July 26, 2017]

• A survey of the 831 students in chiropractic programs at Murdoch and Macquarie universities (Australia) drew responses from 444 (53%) of them. The results showed:
  
  
  • It was common for students in all five years of instruction to believe that chiropractic spinal adjustments probably or definitely: (a) prevent disease in general, (b) prevent chronic back pain, (c) help the immune system, (d) make it easier to give birth, (e) improve the health of infants, (f) help the body function at 100% of its capacity, and (g) prevent degeneration of the spine. 
  • Students at all years of instruction say they would often or quite often advise patients about prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 
  • The proportions of non-evidence-based beliefs were lowest in first year and highest the final year. 
  [Innes SI and others. How frequent are non-evidence-based health care beliefs in chiropractic students and do they vary across the pre-professional educational years. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies 26(8), 2018]
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