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Chiropractic Care for Kids?
"Dr. P," my exasperated patient said at the end of a visit that revealed her 3-year-old's fourth ear infection. "I have a friend who took her child to a chiropractor. He manipulated her neck and poof! no more ear infections. Do you think I should go to one?"
I was horrified at the thought. Let me explain why.
On September 18, 1895, D.D. Palmer was a 50 year old "magnetic" healer, who used the body's "magnetism" to rid itself of disease. He was visited by Harvey Lillard, the janitor in his building, who was looking for relief from 17 years of hearing loss which, he related, began after he heard something pop in his back.
In the course of his examination, D.D. Palmer noted a lump in the middle of Mr. Lillard's back. What if the deafness and the lump were related? Indeed they seemed to be as, after a number of gentle thrusts to the lump, Mr. Lillard's deafness was purported to have been cured.
D.D. Palmer theorized that misplaced spinal vertebrae ("subluxations") caused pressure on the nerves, which then diminished nerve flow to the body, which then caused disease and dysfunction. Eureka! He was certain he had cracked the disease code and wrote: "A subluxated vertebrae . . . is the cause of 95 percent of all diseases. . . . The other five percent is caused by displaced joints other than those of the vertebral column." If only the spinal column were correctly positioned, the body would be healthy.
In 1897, he founded what would later be called the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. A new way of healing was born.
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Fast forward to the present. A survey of Consumer Reports readers, published in May 2000, found that 35% of 46,860 respondents had used alternative therapies for a variety of problems, of whom 40% had chiropractic treatment for back pain. By all accounts, most were very happy with their chiropractic care (reporting higher satisfaction ratings than I'll ever get as a pediatrician!).
Chiropractors (aka "doctors of chiropractic" or "chiropractic physicians") classically treat neuro-musculo-skeletal complaints, including back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Most chiropractic treatments address these issues via manipulation of the spine. Chiropractors also tend to embrace a holistic health perspective, emphasizing natural, drug-free, non-surgical treatments, and healthy lifestyle changes.
Many chiropractors treat children, but not just for backaches. Here are some of the pediatric conditions which some chiropractors claim they can help: ADD/ADHD, asthma, autism, bed wetting, "birth trauma," hypertension, cerebral palsy, Crohn's disease, colitis, colic, the common cold, constipation, ear infections, epilepsy, headaches, low immunity, sinus and respiratory infections, eczema, psoriasis, sleep disturbances, stuttering, tonsillitis, Tourette's Syndrome. Impressive list! These guys must be on to something.
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Let's take stock: chiropractic is safe, effective, natural, holistic. So why did I react with horror to that mom in my office? Is there a problem here? In a word: yes. Or two words: big problems. Let me list my top 10 most serious gripes about chiropractic care:- Despite all that has been learned about disease and the human body in the past 110 years, there has been no refinement or advancement or proof of D.D. Palmer's original hypothesis. Given what we know today, it just makes no sense to believe that reduced nerve flow due to subluxations is the root of all evil (or even any evil). Rather, it's an article of faith, more of a religion than a science, since chiropractors have never bothered to try to prove it with scientific studies.
- Even if one buys the subluxation hypothesis (which you shouldn't), gentle chiropractic manipulations would not change a dislocated spine.
- I have never had a patient who went to a chiropractor and was given a clean bill of health. There is always some spinal misalignment. Pretty fishy to me.
- When chiropractic care has been put to the test of scientifically valid studies (i.e., prospective, randomized controlled trials with objective observers who are 'blind' to the treatment), its benefits are minimal (for back pain, similar to that of physical therapy) or non-existent (similar to a placebo effect - which I will discuss in my next post).
- It exposes people (and, of course kids) to needless x-ray exposure.
- Because of their "natural" bent and indifference to scientific evidence, many chiropractors do not support childhood immunizations. (You can imagine how I feel about that.)
- Some chiropractors dishonestly use the normal "popping" noise (akin to cracking a knuckle) of the manipulated spine to demonstrate spinal realignment. Not even chiropractors believe the popping sound to be of any significance, but you couldn't prove that by what they have said to my patients.
- Eschewing science, some chiropractors veer headlong into the ozone of quackery, endorsing such dubious diagnostic tests as biological terrain assessment, computerized nutrient deficiency testing, computerized range-of-motion analysis, contour analysis, cytotoxic testing, electrodermal testing, functional intracellular analysis, hair analysis, herbal crystallization analysis, inclinometry, iridology, live blood cell analysis, nutrabalance, pendulum divination, reflexology, saliva testing, thermography, a Toftness device. You can guess how much scientific evidence there is for the validity of any of these.
- Ditto to other treatment techniques beyond their usual spinal manipulations: activator methods, applied kinesiology, bioenergetic synchronization, chelation therapy, colonic irrigation, cranial or craniosacral therapy, laser acupuncture, magnetic or biomagnetic therapy, neuro-emotional technique.
- To be fair, there are many chiropractors who limit their care to musculo-skeletal aches and pains, for which at least an argument can be made (although not by me) for some efficacy. But many do not. Once you go down the road of faith rather than science when it comes to healing, this is what you get. It's a sorry state of affairs.
This has turned into a rant and has gotten kind of long. I guess what I view as quackery - even if it is relatively safe - bugs me more than I thought, especially when it is being inflicted on kids. So I'll end here and next week address the important question: if chiropractic is as ineffective as I say, why do so many love it so much?
Balon, J, et al. New England Journal of Medicine. 10/8/98 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/339/15/1013
and Provision of an Educational Booklet for the Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain."
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/339/15/1021
Related Topics:
- WebMD Video: What Can a Chiropractor Do for You?
- Chiropractic Care and Back Pain
- Share your thoughts on our Alternative Health discussion.
Technorati Tags: chiropractic, pediatric, childrens health, Palmer
46 Comments:
You are very tough on chiropractors. I have a lot of friends who swear by them. Could you be jealously protecting your own turf?
Parents don't want proof, they want someone who will spend some time with their kids and offer optimistic outcomes. That's why they love chiropractors.
Personally, I don't understand why parents would subject their kids to treatments beyond what is offered by 21st century traditonal medicine, which gets better and better every year, unlike chiropractic which hasn't changed in 110 years.
Re #:
1. Really, who cares about what DD originally theorized? There have been fantastic scientific advancements in chiropractic.
2. What about all the research that proves otherwise? Isn't it really your word against others?
3. There are many people who have gone to chiropractors and received clean bills of health. Just because you aren't aware of it doesn't make it nonexistent.
4. Honestly, what clincal and randomized studies are you referencing? That is a biased statement. I know a high school-aged young man who avoided scoliosis surgery ONLY because of his chiropractic care. (CBP Technique, a la Don Harrison, PHD, DC, MSE)
5. And you are to determine if the X-rays are needless...when you haven't examined each of these people? I assume you make this statement as an "informed" individual- after having considered the Linear-No-Threshold Radiation Model?
6. To each professional their own opinion regarding ANYTHING- including immunizations.
7. "Some chiropractors dishonestly use the normal "popping" noise...to demonstrate spinal realignment," -- They do? I happen to know more than a few DC's, and none of them have ever suggested that. ACTUALLY, they have all explained to patients it has nothing to do with realignment. Again, your word against theirs', and it's their words you're twisting.
8. Dr. P., in all reality, there are more than a few "medical" protocols that have been questioned over the years. While I'm not taking "sides" on the procedures listed, you really can't have a valid argument about CHIROPRACTIC when you aren't arguing CHIROPRACTIC. Either stick to the point- chiropractic and the vertebral subluxation complex, or get off onto a subject you know a little more about.
9. See above. Then see www.idealspine.com . If you want research, you'll get more than you and your unsupported reasoning ever wanted.
10. Check the website, or better yet, ask a DC to explain to you what you apparently don't understand about the human body and chiropractic; it's ALL science, no faith and fairytales needed.
10.
I don't know about others, but my chiropractor does imply that the cracking noises in my neck and spine are a good sign. Is he misleading me?
After a horrible 9 MONTHS of chronic ear infections, my pediatrician referred us to an ENT who wanted to place tubes in my daughters ears. He wanted to schedule us for surgery the next day. I needed to think a little about the tubes and research side effects. While at my regular chiropractic visit* my chiropractor offered to adjust my daughter at no cost for 6 weeks, claiming that she could rid us of the awful ear problems that my baby girl was having. I admit, I was reluctant since my daughter was so young and I trusted that her pediatrician was making the best choices for our daughters health. I decided to go with the less invasive chiropractic, thinking that in 6 weeks we would be scheduling surgery. Well, one year and one month from the day we started chiropractic care is today and I can say that my daughter has had NO ear infections! It is a wonderful feeling. I would suggest finding a GOOD chiropractor from a friends referral before subjecting your babies to anesthesia and surgery....what will it hurt? From what I have read, maybe just your pocket books.
*(I had massive migraines and chose chiropractic care, which completely eliminated my migraine problem.)
I am a chiropractor and I am proud, although not surprised, to see all the support offered by the public in regard to your ignorant statements concerning my profession. You base your conclusions on biased opinion and not personal experience or the obvious positive experiences from thousands and thousands of satisfied patients that utilize chiropractic care each and every day. Let us focus on the needs of the patient and cooperate with each other for the benefit of the patient instead of commenting on that which you do not understand. As a side note- I personally work cooperatively with several medical doctors including a multitude of specialists and NONE of them seem to share you dishearting opinions of chiropractic.
Wow!
It is really unfortunate you feel so intimidated by something you are so ignorant of. Yes, just like there are bad doctors there are also bad Chiropractors. There are also good doctors and chiros as well. My 6 month old daughter occasionally sees my Chiropractor who is also a personal friend, What is interesting is that you think that pediatric manipulation is forceful. Nothing could be farther from the truth. She has had 4 adjustments since she was 2 months old and I am present at every one. Chiropractic care is homeopathic. There is a time and place for traditional medicine as well. You have to find the balance. My pediatrician was telling me that babies who don't poop for 3 days are fine but I knew she was miserable. My Chiro showed me some pressure points on my daughters stomach beyond the "tummy circles" to help her go...usually within 5 minutes. And when she was holding her leg funny after being in a baby carrier incorrectly it was the Chiro who showed me some gentle stretches and circles to even out her legs. What terrible experience did you have to make you so negative. Find a reputable Chiro who is trained to work on children. It's that simple.
I have recently begun a six week regimen of chiropractic treatment. I have only had two of approximately 18 adjustments. And I have to say, there is something to this whole "spinal manipulation" thing. Medical issues I have had for years have already started resolving. Maybe Dr. P should try this before criticizing it so harshly. And wouldn't the whole statement about chiro-care not changing in 110 years argue more in its favor than against it? Once you find the buried treasure you don't keep digging up the dirt.
The research articles you cited are10 years old. It's time you read some recent literature, and met some evidence based chiropractors. Would you appreciate modern medicine judged by pre-Flexner standards? Or perhaps you'd rather be benchmarked by surgeons who continue to perform procedures proven by the literature to be ineffective (but lucrative).
There are certainly chiropractors who are dishonest, more religious than scientific and dinosaurs in their thinking. However, many of us are performing an excellent non-surgical musculoskeletal service backed by good clinical information in a patient-centered approach without subscribing to the subluxation nonsense. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.
By the way, chiropractic history illustrates that Palmer purposely tried to make it sound more religious than scientific since it would be easier to exist as the Christian Scientists did and stay out of jail for 'practicing medicine without a license.'
Don't knock chiropractors until you have tried them for a substantial amount of time. I used to have a sinus infection and/or cold EVERY SINGLE MONTH for three years straight, mostly related to chronic allergies. I started going to the chiropractor and I have had one cold and one infection in the last 5 years. It works. And after giving birth to my daughter, she has started chiropractic care as well. She made it through the entire fall/winter/spring without any colds or illness. Why would I opt for modern medicine that carries warnings about side effects can include death as opposed to gentle moving of the spine? No one dies from an adjustment, but they die in surgery and from drugs every day.
I agree with Dr. P on this subject, chiropractors are not real doctors, they barely go to any kind of medical school and they always want a big paycheck and always want you to come back. Once you start going you cannot stop, so they say. But the beauty of America is if you think they are miracle workers use them and if you don't you don't go, to each his own.
I will have to say that the comment on chiropractors are not doctors is just down right ridiculous and shows how ignorant you are to Doctors of Chiropractic (DC). You should take time and do a lil research to see just how similar a typical DC education is compared to an MD. You should check this website http://www.drgrisanti.com/mddc.htm if you would like.
ahhh, it's jealousy amazing. Some MDs are so worried about their piece of the pie that they forget about patient care and healthy living! Are all of the drugs that society is taking really "curing" anything when all we get is more and more sickness and disease. Why don't we go back to letting the body heal itself, from the inside out, instead of injecting, pill popping and removing organs. Advances in medicine - ha! Remember to read ALL of the fine print on all of those drug packages!
Dr P, you are a very intelligent human, and probably a good doctor, but you are ignorant when it comes to the human body. I am a chiropractor, and the chiropractic school that I went to was harder than medical school. My best friend is a MD in Texas, and we would exchange ideas while I was in school. Something that I learned was that medical school is spending more time with biochemistry than the human body. Makes sense, they write scripts to their patients and they better know what each patient is putting into their body, especially the side effects (listen to any commercial on TV that has a list that is longer than the commercial itself about side effects). Look at Center for Studies in Health Policy in Washington D.C. about the curriculum that is taught at both schools, and then make a statement.
I will have to say also that I work closely with many medical practitioners in my area, and they are happy to have a different perspective on what I see. Chiropractors see the body as a whole, and not just in parts. We try to get to the root of the problem, and not mask off the pain by covering up the symptoms.
Also in your article you talked about not having any scientific evidence backing what is done with chiropractic, that is a very ignorant statement. Chiropractic has more evidence backing what each DC does than MDs do!
For instance, it just came out last month that chiropractic adjustments reduce blood pressure! What are the side effects with it, compared to the medicine approach? With DC care, the side effects are all positive (sleeping better and less musculoskeletal pain to name a a few). In the medicine approach, the side effects are insomnia, cold hands and feet, tiredness or depression, increase blood sugar, impotence, skin rash, loss of taste, a chronic dry, hacking cough, and in some instances, kidney damage, palpitations, swollen ankles, constipation, headache or dizziness, and these are just a few of the side effects. Oh, but wait you can take other medication to help stop these symptoms, but these may have side effects as well....But don't worry we have more medication to stop those symptoms as well.
Before I talk in circles I will move to what all health care providers should be doing! Be on a health care team for each patient! To me it just seems that a patient needs to have a well rounded health care team, that is trying to get the patient the best possible health as can be. We all need to get a good MD, Dentist, Chiropractor, pediatrician, etc to work together to make our life as healthy as possible.
why not have a "health care team", instead of a "sick care team"!
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!!! www.youtube.com type in chiropractic and high blood pressure or chiropractic and Montel Williams or chiropractic and back pain. DCs have been around 100+ years and are just getting noticed. Make your own choice! On other thing one should think about is MD DO DC ect... study the same human body (it doesn't change) the same diseases (they don't change also) Its not only about back pain. Check it out ... "Try Chiropractic" STAY HEALTHY AND BE SAFE!
As a chiropractor, I personally do not choose to work on children under the age of 12. I refer those patients to D.C.s whom have chosen that as a specialty. My son has been vaccinated, but many chiros I know choose not to. Look into the the national association for chiropractic medicine for details on how I and many like me practice. OK, commence the stone throwing fellow chiros
The chiropractor my family and I see is far better than any MD. He has eliminated allergies and asthma in my son, removed sensitivity issues in a few of my teeth, and he removed a pain in my foot from stepping wrong off of a step. He only sees me when I have a problem and then he fixes that problem and I don't need to see him again until I have another problem. I do have to admit that there are good chiropractors and bad chiropractors just like there are good MD's and bad MD's. You just need to ask around and visit some chiropractors until you find a good one.
I was born with scoliosis and severe cervical kyphosis. The orthopedic doctor my Mum had examine me recommended taking me to a pediatric chiropractor. He wanted to see if regular chiropractic care would help my spine, preventing much of the pain until I was old enough for surgery.
He was right, and it did.I went to the same orthopedic chiropractor for the next 6 years, until I finally grew large enough to have the surgery without undue risk. During that time, I was virtually pain-free, and yes, I can remember the last two years of it.
8 years after having surgery, my neck began curving backwards again, causing me severe pain and uncontrollable migraines. So, Mum took me back to the chiropractor. I've been going ever since, and, while my neck and back will never be normal, I do not have nearly as much pain as I would. I also do not suffer from constant migraines now. They are only occasional, and usually when I've been stressed more than usual.
Chiropractors DO work. It's just a matter of finding one that is a 'true' practitioner, just like with any other doctor.
I was in a major car accident and fractured my pelvis and back at C5, C6. After years of pain, drugs and injections, my neuro wanted me to have surgery. I cried for days. My friend dragged me kicking and screaming to a chiro and he promised me relief. I told him he was nuts but would give him two weeks before I scheduled surgery. Well to my surprise 99.9% of my pain has been gone for two years. I go twice a week and now my husband and daughter go too! We have benefited in many ways!! I will never give up chiropractic care...it saved my life!
I am a practicing pediatrician and I am also sickened by the claims that chiropractors make. It ALL comes down to one thing. PROVE what you do is ANY better than placebo. Do this and you will have my confidence.
Unfortunately there is no PROOF. Hence, time alone works better than chiropractic care. And at least time is free...
As a practicing chiropractor I see the proof every day as my patients get better...without drugs...without surgery. .... I see many children who benefit from chiropractic care. Parents are upset after their baby is subjected to months and months of repeated antibiotics for ear infections with just the same result... more ear infections! We remove the pressure off the spine and nerves, which allow the muscles around the eustacian tubes to relax, which allows for proper drainage of excess fluid which means less ear inflammation (infections)! As a practicing pedatrician you should try it your way and then do a study after a couple of rounds of antibiotics don't work... Send them to a good pediatric chiropractor. You might find it to be a good relationship to have! Isn't helping our patients feel better, function better, and be less sick what we are supposed to be doing?
There were several people who responded saying that they were pediatricians and remarked that chiropractic should prove that these adjustments work. I agree, chiropractic should have more research into quality of life and its effect on the immune system. However, please show me the placebo controlled research that shows that antibiotics are effective for childhood ear infections. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Practice watchful waiting should be the medical choice for ear infections initially. That is not what's happening in my neck of the woods. So, how come the MD's, who purport to be the guardians of health science, practice so unscientifically. A few years ago there was a study that showed that only 15% of medical treatments were scientifically supported and it went on to say that only 1% of medical journal articles were scientifically sound. People who live in glass houses...
What is "dr. p" supposed to be an expert of? If he actually went to medical school and learned about anatomy and physiology, it would not be difficult for him to understand a subluxation. Every tissue in the body receives nerve supply. It has been scientifically proven that 2 lbs of pressure can interfere with nerve transmission and a misalignment of a vertebrae puts pressure on the nerves that exit between the bones. That has been proven using EMGs and nerve transduction tests that medical doctors use. So how can you not understand that nerve pressure leads to improper function of the nerve and the tissue it supplies (heart, lung, muscle, sinuses, joint)? I guess just the "quacks" study the human body rather than just studying drugs
One thing that I have noticed is that if a MD is writing about DC's (Doctor of Chiropractic) they have a tendency to bad mouth them (not very professional). DC's will tell you that you should go after the root of the problem not cover it up. I have never heard a DC tell a person not go see there MD. I don't understand why they can't work together so we all can live optimal lives.
I have been seeing a DC every week for 5 years and when I run into people that are the same age as me they all starting to complain about getting older and their bodies hurting. I don't feel that way I feel youthful and healthy. By the way I am talking about people who exercise regular and eat right (which I don't).
I also have a fun fact for you... Chiropractors on average have more schooling that you’re average MD.
I trust a person who explains to me what is wrong and how we are going to fix it (without side affects). Not someone who say we will try this drug and if that don't work we will try another until we find the right one (with side affects) without going after the source of the problem.
As a chiropractor I wish I had the amount of time to properly educate you on chiropractic. May I suggest you actually go and see one yourself because it sounds like you need an adjustment.
I'm sorry, but I totally disagree with you. My daughter's tonsils suddenly became enlarged without any symptoms prior. Her lymph nodes under her jaw swelled up. AFter bloodwork, a couple of rounds of antibiotics and 2 visits to an ENT, they were still there. Teh ENT wanted to do surgery within 2 seconds of seeing her tonsils. She has had 1 sore throat in her life (she is 6 years old), never had ear infections, no allergies, nothing...and for an ENT to jump at doing a tonsillectomy, THAT send up flags for me. Within 2 adjustments from a chiropractor, her lymph nodes are normal size and her tonsils are back to normal size.
Hmmm, sounds to me like you are either jealous of chiropractors or you haven't done your research. I also agree with one of the posters that as a parent, we don't want proof from an article, I have SEEN proof through the healthy eyes of my daughter.
Oh and for what it is worth, my husband went to see him and (none of us got xrays by the way) said his spine was aligned perfectly and didn't need treatment. Maybe you are basing your opinion from one chiropractor that you butted heads with, but I firmly believe in them and we are all healthier, happier and I sleep very peacefully at night in my decision.
wow you are just jealous...really you haven't done your research. i have grown up getting adjusted by my dad, and all of aunts and uncles are chiropractors. i also work for one right now. She does not take x-rays of children under a certain age. and chiropractors have to go through more schooling than MD's...so yeah go research more before you start ranting.
I came on here searching Chiropractic care and hopeing that I would see an open minded approach to Chiropractic from our MD friends. Unfortionatly this is what I found. As you can tell I am a Chiropractor and I disagree with what this MD has to say about our profession.
1st and formost there is research out there that does qualify what we do as Chiropractors. There are several studies that show how a Chiropractor can have posative effects on different conditions such as ear infections, Loss of Hearing, Headaches and many other conditions, but what is funny is this is also taught in medical text books. Some MD's just decide to look past this cause it does not make since to them. What? We cant fix it by chimical means? Well then it must not be a true condition. But, there are many MD's that are trying to do just what we do with surgery. Takeing bone away so that the spinal cord has more room because it is being pinched, taking way bone so that periferal nerves can function better.
The bottom line is that trauma causes biomechanical changes in teh spine and this can creat a complex that includes hypomobility, adhessions and fixations. These conditions can alter sensory, ligament and/or muscle function and this will alter global neurological functions. In laymens terms this subluxation/fixation will cause your nervous system to be altered. We try to fix that. Thats all. If you open your mind and step out of your allopathic model just for a second and actually learn about what a chiropractor does your mind might be able to change and you will be able to help more of your patients. I know for me we dont x-ray 90 % of our patients and we do not adjust areas that do not need to be adjusted and if my patient needs medical care I will in fact refer to local MD's that can take care of the medical issues that they present with.
I hope this post may let others understand Chiropractic a little better and I hope our MD friend can look into his own text books and open his mind.
its interesting how most doctors dont care fro chiropractors. i have had ear aches in the past, and use to have bad headaches as a teenager but i have gone to a chiropractor since i was born and my parents and i are healthier then any other members of our families. a drug makes the pain go away not correct what causes the pain! get it through you thick skulls that you make money of your drugs. they make money off helping people. i never go to the Dr. unless its something i KNOW my chiro cant treat. i always go to him first. hes cheaper then my Dr. anyways. also most of your drugs have side effects worse then the problem. treat the problem... dont create more with your man made drugs
I personally have taken both my young children to a personal friend and chiropractor. I thought it was crazy too. BUT the ear infections did stop. The 'manipulations' were not snaps or pops. They were nothing more than small massages. The Chiro showed on my neck exactly what he would do with my children. the ear infections stopped! Ins wouldn't pay so i ended up paying thousands in Drugs and then Ear tube surgery x 2 per each kid.
--i think you have to temper the reality of harsh western medicine with some common sense that our bodies are made to be alighned -NOT jostled in car seats, looking up at tv's all day and filled with rx's that only mask the problem as long as you are on that drug.
I recently had a friend adjust my daughter and came to this site to see what doctors think of chiros and its sad to say but I agree, you are angry by the threat of a chiro. while you as an MD you line your pockets with your prescription slips a chiropractor does not. i only hope that you will soon realize we want results not studies and articles based on a hand full of participants and doctors. I've met a couple of bad doctors and I've met a bad chiro. But I don't want side effects.
The two citations to your article are
quite limiting, as is your knowledge of chiropractic--as you would obviously have to acknowledge.
Chiropractic history is much less scathed than that of medicine. Currently medical mishaps are a top killer and cause of much inappropriate suffering. But don't worry "doctor of medicine", you have $18 billion in annual television advertising. Chiropractors are extensively trained and deserve much more respect than you offer. Hanging on to your previous generation's call to eliminate chiropractic should be replaced by a call to understand how it works so well for so many. The research is growing, but you probably won't want to look to hard. Chiropractors have to learn so much about standard medical intervention in their schooling, why can't you do a little more research?
By the way when chiropractic was invigorated and began to develop, bloodletting was still a primary form of care by the medical experts for almost everything--even after being pretty much disproven by William Harvey in 1628.
I think chiropractors should be proud of their rich history while continuuing a broad quest for the understanding of how to best promote health and well being. Keep caring at your best and speak out, you are being carelessly targeted once again by near-sighted spectators!
Good prevails if there is enough of it!
It seems like this md is upset at the fact that a Chiropractor can help families without promoting drugs or making money from the rx co. I am a single mom with three kids and about nine years age I was at my wits end...one kid weak at birth with apnea, one severe allergies that couldn't stay awake after school on Claretin, and my new baby girl that walked with her feet pointed in. In and out of hospotals with endless antibiotics...the last straw was the old school Pediatrician wanted to put braces on my baby to straighten out her legs and if that didn't work surgery would be next. I got a job a fantastic Chiropractic office and was blown away at the hundreds of kids we saw. My boss asked when I would bring in my kids to be checked out (at no charge-because he is passionate to help) I was skeptical even after everything I saw...I made the appointment.
Next to my kids this was the second best gift ever given to me...I haven't had to take the kids to a er, md...in 9 years.
My oldest says he has super immunity...never sick and when he is it last only an hour or so:-)
the second has minimal seasonal allergies...after his fourth adjustment he mentioned his head didn't hurt anymore. he was four...and never mentioned his head hurting before that.
and my daughters legs straightened rightout the first month...no surgery.
the point is why put those we love through pain procedures so these md's can bill thousands.
have your families adjusted once a week and enjoy the benefits of controlling you own body.
Currently I work as an XRay Technologist at a local hospital and am about to start Chiropractic school in the Fall. I will have 3 1/2 years of schooling to go through which is only 1/2 a year less than an MD. I have also seen the cirriculum of the local medical college compared to the Chiropractic school I will be attending and they are vitually the same.
Finally, regarding the "unnecessary" exposure to xray...with my job I see firsthand MDs who order TRULY unnecessary exams because they are fishing for a diagnosis.
I think "Dr. P" is very biased and uninformed.
You really need to do better research and talk to all the talented chiropractors out there. Stop giving them a bad name. There are 100's and 100's of research articles supporting the theory behind chiropractics. If you want any numbers let me know. But dont go bashing them unless you have talked to one and gotten examined fully yourself.
Im currently a chiropractic student and am in total disbelief of what I've read here. A few facts should set the record straight: (by the way, any of my claims can be backed with hard facts)
a) Dr. Palmer set the groundwork for what we know as the subluxation complex. This can be anything that induces abnormal physiology within the body. As I recall, traditional medicine has changed too in the last 120 years so I dont see how we're not entitled to growth.
b)We study from the exact same Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Neurophysiology textbooks as medical students and we all agree that the nervous system is superior to all the other bodily systems. No one would disagree that a severed nerve to a muscular or glandular structure would result in decreased function. I could give you the name and email address of the research director at our school if you'd like and he could bury you up to your eyes in documented proof that chiropractic care does work...many of which are backed by M.D's. Proof?? We've got it, you havent searched hard enough.
c)We have never promised that adjustments could correct a dislocated spine. A scoliotic spine, yes; a hypolordotic spine, absolutely. Chiropractors do understand the need for supplementary health care and refer a patient to a specialist when they cannot improve health. The body can heal itself (another truth that many M.D's believe as well yet D.C's are the evil cousins who have turned it into a so-called money-making scheme)and an adjustment can do nothing for a dislocated spine, a nosey mother-in-law, or a used car with low resale value (you see that this claim is ridiculous?)
d) I believe you're trying to tie "clean bill of health" and "asymptomatic" together. Yes, there is technically always a misalignment somewhere in the body but misalignment doesnt always mean it's causing a problem. Fishy? I suppose lobbying and prescribing drugs that may or may not work is an okay practice. It doesnt really matter if the patient gets better just as long as the M.D's and the pharmaceutical companies have golden paracutes as soon as the tough gets going. To anyone reading, look up pharmaceutical lawsuits and you'll see that serious adverse side effects up to and including death result from some harmful drugs. Many of these lawsuits can simply be paid and swept under the rug. Where is the accountability?? The AMA is the biggest "poster boy" for the pharmaceutical industry. The AMA even went as far as trying to have chiropractic science abolished due to their lack of research and validity. I wonder where this sense of entitlement came from in the AMA's mind. I think trying to create a monopoly on the health care field is insulting to the patient as well as the doctor. The patient is the most important person in a D.C's office. Maybe M.D's could take a few tips. Thank goodness chiropractic health care prevailed! There are other options besides prescription drugs (which are costly in addition to the doctor visit) and an adjustment can eliminate the vast majority of those drugs.
e) X-ray exposure? M.D's do it as well. Until we develop x-ray vision, it is necessary to get to the root of the problem.
f) The "popping" you refer to is called "cavitation" (better dust off those textbooks) and it is not the end-all be-all of success. It is a strong indicator, yes, but chiropractors are looking to restore motion in a subluxated joint, not "pop" it. We are not "back-crackers". We dont refer to M.D's as pill-pushers, so please don't blame us for utilizing a science that does work.
f) The Activator, Gonstead technique, COX, SOT, Diversified techniques undergo more testing and research than pharmaceutical drugs (imagine that) before they are introduced to the public.
The purpose of my lengthy comment is not to bash M.D's but to bring to light the other side of the story. I've adjusted patients and seen it with my own eyes. If you haven't seen a chiropractor, I strongly urge you to do so. The choice is your as the patient.
I can't comment on whether they are good for kids, but, for myself, I have been in the moving business for 16 years now. I can honestly say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my chiropractor helps me a great deal. I have no doubts there are some quacks out there. As I'm positive there are regular family doctors who are also quacks. Do your research and find out who is reccomended. My family has been going to the same guy for 40 years. You won't hear loud pops. Just the feeling of being able to stand up straight.
Wow, since the author is using historical accounts of the development of a profession to try to discredit the current practicing of that profession, he should maybe share an account of the History of Medicine -- that's a bunch of superstition and religious fanaticism if there ever was any. And there's a reason why he doesn't pontificate all the published research supporting medical management of ear infections -- there isn't any. The American Academy of Family Physicians have released new guidelines for the management of ear infections, stating that antibiotics should NOT be given routinely, as most ear infections are viral, not bacterial. And, if you really want to start slinging mud, let it be known that study after study demonstrates that chiropractic management of ear infections is safer and more effective than medical management.
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_general_guidelines_treating_ear_infections_000078_8.htm
I think this medical doctor should review the proceedings of the "Wilk vs the American Medical Association" trial, where the AMA was found guilty by the US Supreme Court of libel and slander of the Chiropractic profession in an attempt to form a monopoly on health care.
Everybody should be tougher on chiropractors. They should read the literature. They shouldn't be afraid of performing research because they fear the results! Chiropractors still speak of nerve compression at the IVF as an explanation for +pain and +spasm. This +, is an increase in neuro activity! Numbness and weakness would be a sign of this 'nerve pinch' effect. Of course bone spurs, disk bulges, or any space occupying lesion could put pressure on nerves. This would lead to -blood flow and so -nerve function. However, for most people in chiro offices right now, this is simply not the situation. They complain of +neuro activity like pain & spasm. They complain of allodynia. This is pain from a non painful stimulus, like how wearing clothes aggravates a sunburn. Or when a chiro palpates and finds an area that hurts when he/she barely touches you.
So where is the lesion? Were is the loss of function? How does chiro care equate to health care. If chiropractors are not afraid of science, or the truth (might be a better word). I suggest they should take a lesson for Dentists. How does bad oral care lead to things like heart disease? This is simple enough. Only a bit more complicated than the patellar reflex. Pain into the CNS from viscera, initiates a reflex. And if chiropractors and the public would read. I said R-E-A-D. They would know about the so called 'neurogenic switching' effect. We (by we, I mean the collective human consciousness) have substantial evidence that painful stimulation initiated in the mouth by bacteria, smoke, etc can initiate a reflex and cause inflammation in the heart! Read that last sentence again, sorry if it’s a run on. I you don't believe me, look up neurogenic inflammation and READ! Unfortunately you probably won’t find it on WebMD, I tried. This might say something important by the way. Like shop around for your info, because one answer should never satisfy an inquiring mind.
Chiropractors should be eager to explain vicero-vicero, somato-somato, vicero-somato, and somato-viceral reflexes to the average person. They should get excited about explaining how moving a joint releases a chemical(GABA) which makes it less likely that painful stimulus will enter the CNS. Most people don't realize how serious a joint lesion is. It is the function of a joint to move and if it doesn't move properly, then it is in a state of lesion. Furthermore, if your wrist stopped moving you would probably be worried. However, when a spinal segments stops moving, there are still often plenty of movable joints above and below. This is a blessing and a curse because it can allow people to live in a state of steady decline in function without their being aware.
When chiropractors dumb it down, they perform a disservice to the public and their own profession. They insult their patients.
If chiropractors could prove that a specific & skillful adjustment on a joint in lesion releases GABA in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. They'd be set. The rest of the research is done. In an instant chiropractors would have proof positive that chiro care is beneficial for all organ systems under control of the central nervous system.
If chiropractors aren't willing to do so, then they deserve the slander from nimrods like Dr P.
I'm glad that the 39 comments so far seem to show that the public is taking healthcare into their own hands. Nobody else is going to care about you or your loved ones, or at least not like you will. They have alternate motives. If MDs were held to the same scientific standards as this Dr. P wants to hold chiropractors to. How would the medical profession hold up? Look up "off label prescription" you might be on a few.
Do you want to look at the numbers? As it stands iatrogenic reactions are the 3rd leading cause of death! Iatrogenic means physician induced! This does not include the people who were going to die anyway. This does include unnecessary surgery, medication errors, other errors, hospital infections, and side effects when the patient actually got the right medicine in the right dose. This is according to the AMA!
So don't let the big MDs scare you into vaccines. Do the research. Don't trust a chiro who doesn't explain his technique to you like you are an adult. Do the research. If you drop dead in the office, they will rush you out the back door before anybody sees. "Next patient please!"
Oh my! A lot of busy minds on both sides...should be a red flag to us saying, "Dig Here!" for more information...Obviously there is something worthy of more investigation if the debate or the practice is such a point of contention....think I'll stay away..I was curious as my sister-in-law takes her kids, but my family seems to be in better overall health.
Shame on you for not realizing the power of healing in every human body. Is it the lack of antibiotics, then, that 'causes' ear infections?
Does this MD have ANY education in the neuro-muscular skeletal system? I wonder...
The reason it 'works' for ear infections is this: When the cervical vertebra are out of alignment, it causes much strain on the ligaments, tendons and muscles surrounding the eustatian tubes - the tube that allows excess fluid to drain from the inner ear. The 'blocked' eustation tube holds this fluid, then, and causes pressure. The ear 'infection' is not an infection at all, but a back-up of fluid causing pressure, which is indicated by the pain.
If all MDs tested for an actual bacterial infection in the inner ear before giving out antibiotics, they would very seldom actually find a need for the drug. Any ear 'infection' should clear up in about a week to ten days... guess how long they tell you to give the antibiotics to your children?...
The profession hasn't 'changed' in 114 years because it doesn't need to. It is simple and allows the human body to do what God intended for it to do. Heal Itself. Period. Chiropractors have the lowest malpractice insurance rates of all health care practitioners in this country and it's because they DO NO HARM. ;-)
Hope this helps some of you skeptics out there give Chiropractic a chance. It's solely based on the bio-mechanics of the body and has worked for over a century.
I am considering taking my daughter to see my chiropractor because she has fluid in both ears. She had tubes put in 2 years ago, but now her Ear doctor is recommending tubes again. I am going to take her to see my chiropractor because he has helped me.
I have had back surgery in the past (JUN 2005) for a herniated disk. All my doctors (primary doc, physical therapist, neuro-surgen, ortho) were very much against me seeing a chiropractor for a herniated disk. They said the amount of pressure placed on the disks could tear a disk and I would be much worse off. So, I listened. And, the surgery helped and in fact I felt like a million bucks afterwards.
But, about 3 years later (JUL 2008), I hurt my back again, re-herniated the same disk and herniated a new one.
I personally had been against chiropractic care in the past because of all my previous doctors saying it was not good and could make me worse off.
This time around though, I did not want to go through surgery again. I didn't think it was right. I was still listening to my doctors but I was now open to going to a chiropractor. After listening to a fellow employee who went to one for a similar situation, I felt better about it and I finally found one. I ran the idea by my physical therapist and he said, "At this point, you have nothing to lose. You're not getting better and you might as well give it a try before surgery." I respected that he said this very much because he was the only person in the group of doctors that seemed to have an open mind and I went to the chiropractor.
Within 2 weeks all my back problems were GONE. He put me on a stretching and a strengthening regime for my "core" muscles, which I followed. My physical therapist only had me doing stretching excersizes and I think this difference was a big factor in my recovery. I went to see the chiropractor 2 times a week for about 3 months. After that, I tappered off to eventually once every other week and then once a month. I continue the strengthening and stretching and am doing great. I only go for a spinal adjustment as needed. Its not all about manipulations of the spine, but about overall health and well-being.
As a skeptic and individual who suffered greatly from a severe car accident, I want to address one repeating issue on this forum.
- Scientific Proof chiropractic works for some serious back injuries and pain.
Very simple, I'm not going to address various other issues about chiropractic, just my accident and treatment.
I was rear ended, while completely stopped, by a car traveling in excess of 50 mph. The whiplash was incredible and the subsequent pain that followed went from my neck and down my arm. The pain was debilitating. After two weeks on pain medications, I was still suffering from chronic pain and desperate to try anything. I had refused to visit a chiropractor on the principle that their techniques are not universally accepted in western medicine.
Finally I caved in and paid the chiropractor a visit. An initial x-ray of my neck showed a reverse curvature sustained from the accident. (I was a college athlete and I had previous neck x-rays, this was not a previous condition). The treatment that followed was several visits a week, for eight weeks.
Midway through treatment, the pain was no longer acute and far more manageable. A second x-ray was taken and it was shown side by side with the first x-ray, a major correction in the curvature of my spine was apparent. In four weeks my neck had begun to regain its natural curvature (substantially shifting my vertebrate by inches), which directly eased pressure off nerves in my spinal column and lessened the pain down my arm.
Towards the end of my eight-week treatment the pain had almost completely subsided and normal range of motion in my neck had been restored. A third and final x-ray was taken at the end of treatment and the curvature in my neck natural and no longer completely reversed. I wasn’t being pitched the chiropractor’s ‘interpretation’ of the x-rays, the results were massive, inches of my spine had literally shifted position.
The PROOF and SCIENCE was simplistically obvious, especially when the time lapsed x-rays were presented side-by-side. For me, treatment was like braces on your teeth. As the vertebrate in my spine were manipulated into place, the pain became more manageable. I'm sure other people's visits differ, but there was nothing sketchy or questionable about my treatment. It was straightforward and the results were blatantly obvious on x-ray, no placebo effect.
On a side note, it was interesting that the D.C worked in an office with an M.D. I questioned the M.D about this and he replied, "Depending on the diagnosis, you will be treated by Dr. Smith (the Chiropractor) or myself."
Gripe 1: Scientific proof always begins as a hypothesis. Subluxation of the spine generally causes some sort of reaction to the nervous system. It could be hyper-action or hypo-action. The changes in nervous function are measurable by many techniques. Some that NASA has developed for this purpose are Thermography (Inflammation, vasodilatation etc) and Surface EMG (muscle tone, somatic nervous function).
Grip 2: Subluxation is not a hypothesis. Gentle "manipulations" never have been aimed at changing a dislocated spine. That would be orthopedic surgeon territory. Chiropractic focuses on Subluxation. Anyone who cannot discern the difference may be too ignorant on the subject to comment.
Grip 3: You haven't had a patient who went to a chiropractor with a clean bill of health because essentially no one has a clean bill of health. It seems that we all deal with stress from the environment (chemical, emotional and physical stress). Those stresses causes Subluxation and that also is not a hypothesis, rather it is proven.
Grip 4: Many studies from the NIH and independent research groups find Chiropractic to be more effective. Reference "High Blood Pressure" and "Chiropractic" on WebMD to discover that Chiropractic is equivalent to 2 blood pressure medications COMBINED (14/8 mmHg decrease). NIH states that Chiropractic for Low Back Pain is more effective and cost effective than medicine and surgery. The list continues.
Gripe 5: False; Chiropractors use X-Ray only when necessary to rule in/out pathology and learn when to and when not to use it. Your statement lacks supporting evidence. Also, the amount of current phase X-Ray tubes provides less radiation than 5 min. of sun exposure.
Gripe 6: Nature has done well with developing the human frame as well as offering healing fixes. Not all chiropractors are staunchly against immunization. Many are leery of their ingredients - the same ingredients that the FDA oftentimes will restrict or forbid be used in foods and drugs with profound exceptions for vaccinations. Anti-freeze, Mercury (Thimerosol), Aluminum, Latex, Phenol, Formaldehyde constituents.
Gripe 7: What chiropractor(s)? We are taught in school that popping (aka cavitation) may or may not accompany an adjustment. An adjustment is not aimed at creating cavitation. It is aimed at restoring proper joint alignment and proper joint function thereby restoring proper nervous system and organic function.
Gripe 8: I’ve run out of room so I will make this short. I’ve never heard of any chiropractor using many of these diagnostics. Further, the ones that aren’t useful aren’t taught in school. A few that you’ve mentioned are useful and if you don’t understand when they’re indicated, you should perhaps learn about them.
Gripe 9: I'm sorry but you fail to make a valid point. You're simply naming techniques after the word Ditto which leaves us to assume that there is some found reason you disagree with efficacy of any named technique. Many of the listed techniques are simply not ones that are taught at a Chiropractic Institution. Would you be able to say that no Medical Doctor uses any of the aforementioned?
Gripe 10: Chiropractic isn’t limited to aches and pains. That may be something you need to wrap your mind around and I'm sorry that you're going to have to share a piece of the pie. It is just a fact that people want a safer, healthier and more natural approach to health care than medicine and surgery. That is not to say that medicine and surgery are ineffective. It's just that both medicine and surgery are mostly "reactive" versus "proactive" where Chiropractic is generally the opposite.
Also (briefly), religion is not taught by Chiropractic Educational Institutions. Many Chiropractors are faithful to their religions and I fail to see the relevance of that (or even a problem with it for that matter).
For anyone wondering if Chiropractic is -- (1) safe (2) effective (3) indicated -- for children, please note the following:
1. It is easier to adjust a child. The adjustments are very gentle. An adjustment is completely safe for a child - even safer than for an adult. That is why Chiropractors pay around $2500/yr on malpractice as opposed to the average MD who pays $35,000/yr.
2. Chiropractic is always effective when it is used properly. That is to say that if your doctor of Chiropractic has evaluated the child, found a problem and has come up with a reasonable solution and has followed up with a treatment plan, your child is more than likely going to be fine. If you leave the office not knowing what is wrong, not knowing how Chiropractic is going to help and not knowing what the results will be, then you likely need to find a Chiropractor who is more proactive. For a list, please go to http://chiropractictruth.com/ and click on "doctor search" at the top to find a proven doctor of Chiropractic in your area.
3. Chiropractic is geared toward finding subluxation (misalignments) of joints (commonly in the spine). Subluxation can cause a large array of suffering (disease, symptom, signs, etc) depending on what effect it has to the nervous system. Thankfully, Subluxation can be (1) located, (2) diagnosed and categorized and (3) treated. If your child has a subluxation, then Chiropractic is indeed indicated.
Note, Chiropractic has huge success with treating all sorts of conditions for which a parent would normally seek medical attention. Generally, chiropractors see parents who have done their research and wish to avoid unnecessary medication and/or who chose a more conservative and natural solution to health care problems.
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