Letter to the Editor

Cautions readers about spread of misinformation 

To the Editor:

In light of the ongoing disagreements spurred by paid advertisements from a local chiropractor, I feel it is important for readers to understand the realities of the chiropractic field and the process of becoming a chiropractic “doctor.”

To become a doctor of chiropractic, a student must attend an independent, private, specialty chiropractic college. Many of these programs boast 80% acceptance rates or higher. These schools educate their largely unvetted students in the dogmatic teaching of the field’s founder D.D. Palmer, a grocer turned “healer,” who practiced healing using magnets and argued the smallpox vaccine was “filthy animal poison.” 

Aligned with their founder, the profession has a history of opposing vaccinations. Instead, they largely believe health, including prevention and treatment of infectious disease, stems from the spine. The concepts they are taught are not evidence-based medicine, such as what is practiced by a family or hospital physician. Chiropractic practices therapeutic value have not been scientifically established. According to the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on clinical research, chiropractic manipulation has not been shown to be effective for any medical condition, with the possible exception of back pain, and is instead associated with frequent adverse effects. 

Promoting a healthy lifestyle and alleviating back pain are commendable, but attacking scientifically established medical practices and spreading misinformation are not. We must critically assess the sources of questionable health advice ensuring decisions about health are made based on rigorous evidence and scientific consensus from qualified practitioners. 

George Murray

 Hudson Park Dr. ∞