Digging deeper: exploring chiropractors online claims about non-musculoskeletal disorders

Background Some chiropractors suggest that chiropractic treatment is appropriate for health issues other than musculoskeletal problems. The prevalence of such claims on individual clinic websites has previously been reported as approximately one-in-four in Denmark. The underlying rationales for such claims may reflect convictions about traditional chiropractic subluxations paradigms, but are not self-evident and has not previously been studied. Methods An exploratory qualitative case interview study of Danish chiropractors with websites which contain claims about chiropractic efficacy in the treatment of non-musculoskeletal disorders. Websites were identified from a nation wide random sample (57%) of all chiropractic clinic websites. Results Of the original 139 websites, 36 were identified as mentioning non-MSK conditions. When revisited, 19 of those clinic websites still mentioned non-MSK disorders and were contacted. Eleven (11) declined our invitation to participate. Interviews were conducted with the responsible chiropractor from each of the remaining 8 clinics. Five distinct themes were identified in the rationales for treating non-musculoskeletal disorders: ‘Positive side-effects,’ ‘Experience,’ ‘Web page,’ ‘Communication’ and ‘Conviction.’ Conclusions A minority of Danish chiropractic websites suggest that non-musculoskeletal disorders are within the chiropractic scope of practice. Those that do, do so for varying reasons—poor communication and website maintenance were commonly cited problems. An explicitly stated adherence to traditional chiropractic subluxations concepts was uncommon. By contrast, a more tempered rationale that suggested a potential beneficial side-effect of chiropractic on non-musculoskeletal health issues were more common and was typically presented in softer-language and/or with some reservations.

Veterinary Chiropractic Treatment as a Measure to Prevent the Occurrence of Spondylosis in Boxers

Spondylosis deformans is a spinal disease common to several dog breeds, and several treatments including veterinary chiropractic may be used to treat affected dogs. Little is known, however, about the efficacy of chiropractic treatment as precautionary measure, aiming to reduce the probability of spondylosis development. We performed a randomized study where one half of the Boxer puppies from 17 litters were given veterinary chiropractic treatment at monthly intervals from eight weeks of age until they were one year old, while the other half were given no treatment (treated: n = 44, controls: n = 43). At an age of one year, spondylosis occurrence was recorded based on a scoring of X-ray images of the spine. The frequency of occurrence was significantly lower (p = 0.0478) in the treated dogs (25.0%) than in the controls (46.5%). We also tested if spondylosis occurrence in the treated dogs correlated with the average number of spinal joints with decreased mobility found per chiropractic treatment. No such effect was found, however. In summary, our results suggest that veterinary chiropractic treatment may be successfully used to reduce the probability of early development of spondylosis in young Boxers.

Clinical Evidence of Vestibular Dysregulation in Colicky Babies Before and After Chiropractic Treatment vs. Non-colicky Babies

Background: To date, after 65 years of research that was primarily directed at differentiating between normal and colicky crying, the cause of infantile colic remains elusive and no definitive cure has been found. Given the general absence of pathology, colicky crying is widely considered the extreme end of a spectrum of normal crying behavior. However, evidence gleaned from scattered sources throughout the literature suggests that infantile colic may be the behavioral expression of physiological brainstem dysregulation, particularly of the vestibular and autonomic systems. The purpose of this study is to present a five-point clinical index of vestibular (hyper) activity and its application to investigate vestibular dysregulation in colicky and non-colicky babies.Methods: One hundred and twenty consecutive colicky babies were evaluated using this index, before and after a very gentle vibratory treatment, and compared to 117 non-colicky babies.Results: Before treatment, of 120 colicky babies only 2 (1.7%) scored 0, whereas 118 (98.3%) scored 1–5. Of 117 non-colicky babies 89 (76.1%) scored 0 and 28 (23.9%) scored 1–3, none scored 4–5. The odds ratio is OR (CI 95%) 187.54 (43.52–808.09). After treatment 111 (92.5%) scored 0 and 9 (7.5%) scored 1–3, none scored 4–5. A McNemar test showed the difference before and after to be significant (χ2 = 109.00, p < 0.001). For colicky babies the mean vestibular score is 2.88 (SD 1.22), compared to 0.37 (SD 0.73) for non-colicky babies, a difference of 87.2%. After treatment the score decreased from 2.88 (SD 1.12) to 0.10 (SD 0.40), or 96.5%.Conclusion: Colicky babies are not just infants who cry a lot. They also show clinical evidence of vestibular dysregulation. Treatment aimed at relaxing tight sub-occipital musculature by means of gentle vibrational stimulation may be effective in decreasing vestibular hyperactivity, signifying an improvement in brainstem regulation. The vestibular index opens the prospect for development into a tool toward an objective and practical clinical diagnosis of infantile colic.

Clinical Evidence of Vestibular Dysregulation in Colicky Babies Before and After Chiropractic Treatment Versus Non-Colicky Babies.

BackgroundAfter 65 years of research that has been primarily directed at differentiating between normal and colicky crying, the cause of infantile colic remains elusive and no definitive cure has been found. Given the general absence of pathology, colicky crying is widely considered the extreme end of a spectrum of normal crying behavior. In the literature scattered evidence can be found suggesting that infantile colic may be the behavioral expression of physiological brainstem dysregulation, particularly of the vestibular and autonomic nuclei. The purpose of this study is to present a five-point clinical index of vestibular (hyper)activity and its application to investigate vestibular dysregulation in colicky and non-colicky babies.Methods120 consecutive colicky babies were evaluated using this index, before and after a very gentle vibratory treatment, and compared to 117 non-colicky babies.ResultsBefore treatment, of 120 colicky babies only 2 (1.7%) scored 0, whereas 118 (98.3%) scored scored 1-5. Of 117 non-colicky babies 89 (76,1%) scored 0 and 28 (23.9%) scored 1-3, none scored 4-5. The odds ratio is OR (CI 95%) 187.54 (43.52-808.09). After treatment 111 (92.5%) scored 0 and 9 (7.5%) scored 1-3, none scored 4-5. A McNemar test showed the difference before and after to be significant (χ² = 109.00, p < .001). For colicky babies the mean vestibular score is 2.88(SD 1.22), compared to 0.37(SD 0.73) for non-colicky babies, a difference of 87.2%. After treatment the score decreased from 2.88 (SD 1.12) to 0.10 (SD 0.40), or 96.5%. ConclusionColicky babies are not just infants who cry a lot. They also show clinical evidence of vestibular dysregulation. Gentle treatment aimed at relaxing tight sub-occipital musculature by means of a vibrational technique may be effective in decreasing vestibular hyperactivity, signifying an improvement in brainstem regulation. The vestibular index opens the prospect for development into a tool towards an objective and practical clinical diagnosis of infantile colic.

Misinformation, chiropractic, and the COVID-19 pandemic

Background In March 2020, the World Health Organization elevated the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic to a pandemic and called for urgent and aggressive action worldwide. Public health experts have communicated clear and emphatic strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hygiene rules and social distancing practices have been implemented by entire populations, including ‘stay-at-home’ orders in many countries. The long-term health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet known. Main text During this time of crisis, some chiropractors made claims on social media that chiropractic treatment can prevent or impact COVID-19. The rationale for these claims is that spinal manipulation can impact the nervous system and thus improve immunity. These beliefs often stem from nineteenth-century chiropractic concepts. We are aware of no clinically relevant scientific evidence to support such statements. We explored the internet and social media to collect examples of misinformation from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand regarding the impact of chiropractic treatment on immune function. We discuss the potential harm resulting from these claims and explore the role of chiropractors, teaching institutions, accrediting agencies, and legislative bodies. Conclusions Members of the chiropractic profession share a collective responsibility to act in the best interests of patients and public health. We hope that all chiropractic stakeholders will view the COVID-19 pandemic as a call to action to eliminate the unethical and potentially dangerous claims made by chiropractors who practise outside the boundaries of scientific evidence.

Clinical Evidence of Vestibular Dysregulation in Colicky Babies Before and After Chiropractic Treatment Compared to Non-Colicky Babies.

Aim: to present a five-point clinical index of vestibular (hyper)activity and its application as a tool to investigate vestibular dysregulation in colicky and non-colicky babies.Methods: 120 consecutive colicky babies, before and after treatment, were evaluated using this index and compared to 117 non-colicky babies.Results. Before treatment out of 120 colicky babies 118 (98.3%) scored 1-5 and only 2 (1.7%) scored 0. Out of 117 non-colicky babies 89 (76,1%) scored 0 and 28 (23.9%) scored 1-3, none scored 4-5. Odds ratios are OR (CI 95%) 187.54 (43.52-808.09). After treatment 111 (92.5%) scored 0 and 9 (7.5%) scored 1-3, none scored 4-5. A McNemar test showed the difference before and after to be significant (χ² = 109.00, p < .001). For colicky babies the mean vestibular score is 2.88(SD 1.22), compared to 0.37(SD 0.73) for non-colicky babies, a difference of 87.2%. After treatment the score decreased from 2.88 (SD 1.12) to 0.10 (SD 0.40), or 96.5%. Conclusion: colicky babies are not just infants who cry a lot. They also show clinical evidence of vestibular dysregulation. The vestibular index opens the prospect that it could be developed into a tool towards an objective clinical diagnosis of infantile colic.