Alt Med - Chiropractic (4 of 20)

(from PT and Alternative Medicine)

Introduction

Chiropractic uses spinal manipulation (SM) (moving a joint beyond its passive range of motion limit by means of a sudden thrust ---"adjustment") to correct "subluxations" (small mal-alignments) in the spine. However, such “subluxations” have not been scientifically verified.

Some chiropractors only use SM, others use other treatments as well (i.e. physical therapy modalities, massage therapy, sale of “alternative” products and services like herbs, vitamins, colonics, etc.) Some chiropractors treat many diseases, others only treat neck and back pain.

The rationale behind an "adjustment" is to correct "subluxations" that effect the nerves going to the body's organs, thus removing the cause of disease. This belief is scientifically unsupported.

Support

A "review of reviews” published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine showed little evidence that SM is effective in the treatment of any medical condition.

A systematic review of 29 studies of SM in people with short-term back pain --- some relief but no better than medicine, physical therapy or exercise.

No high quality studies support SM for longer-term back pain.

Summary

Classic "Alternative Medicine" promoted by savvy marketing.

For anyone who has gone to a chiropractor: How many chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it will take three times a week service for 6 months.