Like many of the practices of alternative medical providers, chiropractic treatments have little basis in science, and are generally based on pseudo-scientific theories that fail to pass the test of scientific proof. While some alternative practices are physically harmless, if pointlessly expensive, commonly used chiropractic techniques can be quite dangerous, or even fatal. It is important that people understand the dangers of chiropractic care, as well as the fact that chiropractors do not receive formal medical training.
Neck Manipulation
The most significant danger associated with chiropractic treatment is neck manipulation. Neck manipulations have caused stokes, paralysis and even death, and appear to have little, if any, therapeutic value notes Quackwatch. In fact, in 2002, Canadian neurologists issued a statement warning of the potentially fatal effects of neck manipulations, and called for a ban on the procedure for all children and infants. Science-Based Medicine points out that the immaturity of bone development in children under the age of 18 makes any type of chiropractic spinal manipulation much riskier than for adults.
Subluxations
Another danger of chiropractic treatment is that the practice is based on the belief that subluxations, or misaligned spinal bones, are the cause of all diseases, notes the Skeptic‘s Dictionary. While not all chiropractors believe the theory of subluxation, the theory is the entire basis for the existence of chiropractic practices, according to the Skeptic‘s Dictionary. The theory of subluxations has never been proven to have any scientific validity, despite the fact that chiropractic practitioners, now often covered by health insurance, have had plenty of opportunity to conduct studies. The fact that your chiropractor may believe that common illnesses can be cured through spinal manipulation can endanger you by preventing or delaying effective treatment by medical professionals.
Medical Training
Even among chiropractors who don’t believe in subluxations, and primarily treat back pain, there are dangers in relying on their judgment. Chiropractors do not receive the extensive medical training required of physicians, including clinical experience, notes Quackwatch. Regardless of specialization, all physicians are required to learn to recognize the symptoms of serious diseases and disorders. While chiropractors may intend to refer individuals to a qualified physician for serious illnesses, they may simply lack the experience to recognize those symptoms, due to lack of medical training. Particularly with diseases like cancer, where early diagnosis is so important, relying on a chiropractor can pose a health risk.
