'Chiropractic Medicine' Is Pseudoscientific at Best
Chiropractic care is popular for back pain relief, with approximately 63 million U.S. adults visiting a chiropractor in the last five years. A Gallup News article states that six out of ten adults believe in chiropractors' effectiveness for treating pain (English & Keating, 2015). The problem, however, is that this "medicine" not only fails to meet any of our standards set for medical science, but it may be dangerous.
Two Types of Chiropractic Practice
Chiropractic practice is a form of alternative medicine typically used to correct displacements in bones and joints, yielding holistic benefits.
The first field supporting this concept is based on the Subluxation Theory, which defines subluxation as an incomplete or partial dislocation of a bone in a joint. This definition suggests that subluxation can be identified through medical tests. However, in chiropractic practice, subluxation refers to any mechanical obstruction of nerve function, affecting the transmission of signals to the spinal cord and leading to impaired organ function. These obstructions are not typically detected in spine films by radiologists but are identified using techniques like X-rays and specialized devices by chiropractors. Another justification for chiropractic treatment is the concept of Innate Intelligence, described as the vitalistic energy that flows through nerves to maintain health. When spinal subluxations impede this intelligence, chiropractors aim to restore the flow.
The second field involves spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), which uses force on spinal joints to alleviate back and neck pain. This approach aims to restore spine integrity and reduce pain. Research by Tushin (1997) on SMT's impact on migraines found a notable decrease in migraine frequency and duration. Manipulative techniques in chiropractic medicine have some evidence of effectiveness.
Chiropractic Practice is Pseudoscience Disguised as Validated Medicine
Whenever the medical field claims to have the cure for all ailments for monetary gain, there is a clear cause for concern. Chiropractors claim they have found both the cause and cure for all diseases; a strong appeal to simplicity and certainty is a telltale sign of pseudoscience. Many people likely believe in the efficacy of chiropractors because they present themselves as medical professionals supported by the medical field’s extensive science. People visit chiropractors expecting improvement, which is precisely what happens, or so they believe. The evidence against the efficacy of chiropractic medicine is dismal.
The chiropractic view of Subluxation is unfalsifiable and not scientifically valid. There is no way to test a treatment that can only be observed by those administering it. Subluxation is a homophone with a medical definition, which makes it easier to use deceptively as a medicine with efficacy. Innate intelligence is also unfalsifiable, undermining its credibility within the scientific community. Applying Occam’s razor, it is necessary to reject unnecessary or unknown assumptions about a hypothesis to explain an observed phenomenon best. For instance, there is no evidence of a life force within nerves that can be blocked, leading to organ diseases. Manipulative Chiropractic has limited evidence supporting its effectiveness. However, it is concerning that there is a blurred line between chiropractors practicing this treatment and those holding pseudoscientific beliefs. Many chiropractors endorse both treatment approaches, essentially merging the two. Without a clear differentiation between these modalities, chiropractic practice risks being perceived as pseudoscientific.
These Chiropractors also assert that Subluxation causes all diseases, which requires many assumptions. There is no evidence that the displacement of the spine can cause diseases, let alone all of them. By what mechanism would this be the case? Only chiropractors are enlightened. Assuming the validity of this logic would undermine all of modern medical science.
Should it be Illegal?
The title of this subsection may seem extreme, but recognize the implications of allowing this practice. A literature review from Peninsula Medical School displayed that not only does Chiropractic practice show no efficacy in neck treatments, but it has also led to the deaths of 26 people. Why should a pseudoscience performed by non-medically trained Charlatans that can lead to death be allowed? Especially considering that these charlatans purposely pose their process as medically valid (and as it has already been shown, they have been successful on this front).
Perhaps the answer here is to provide better education on the need for more validity of this practice. Still, nonetheless, more awareness of this all too common pseudoscience needs to be ubiquitous.
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