EPTAt some stage or another it is almost certain that you, or someone you know has seen a chiropractor.
Modern chiropractic treatment ranges from *almost* legitimate to completely bogus. To understand why we need to delve into the history of chiropractic and see where it has come from. Contrary to popular opinion true chiropractic is not about fixing spinal problems in the manner many most people understand it to be.
Chripractic was started in the 1890's by a man named David Palmer. He proposed the "Vertebral Subluxations' interfere with the bodies 'Innate Intelligence'
Vertebral Subluxation - It is important to define the difference between the medical definition and chiropractic definition. The medical definition of a spinal subluxation is a "significant structural displacement", while the chiropractic definition defines it as a 'dysfunctional segment". The key here is that unless there is an actual medical displacement, the dysfunctional segment can not actually be seen or demonstrated using physical or modem imaging techniques'
Innate Intelligence - Hard to describe. A holistic view that if the vertebral subluxation is cured the body is able to heal itself of *any* ailment
Essentially chiropractic use spinal manipulation to fix subluxations which have never actually been seen or shown to exist to cure every medical problem
As time moved on, the chiropractic field began to divide, since core chiropractic beliefs are pretty absurd, so today there a 'straights' who practice entirely based on the original theories, and there are mixers who use osteopathy, and other teachings in their practice and shy away from the original 'vertebral subluxation' theories.
Given the lack of rationality and science in the original teachings, lets move onto the mixers, who tend to focus on spinal manipulation as a method to fix back and related complaints (As opposed to straights, who cure Tumors and Tuberculosis).
Spinal manipulation has been shown to help with various problems, however the scientific consensus, reviews and research have shown that the risks outweigh the benefits, and this is especially true for the many people who go regularly to a chiropractor for preventative spinal manipulation.
There is pretty much always a better solution than chiropractic for any back problems. For example, whiplash shows benefit from spinal manipulation, however there was the same or more benefit for mobilization and education videos, without the risk.
In conclusion, straight chiropractic is a sham. Chiropractors that have shunned the traditional chiropractic teachings in favor of more reasonable spinal treatment are still not worth the risk. If you are having back problems, seek a doctor.
