They aren't going to bin it, for the same reason they aren't going to bin courses on homeopathy. Because idiots pay for it, which means other idiots want to learn about it, and the universities don't want to give up the funding they get for these junk courses.

If it were up to me I'd be banning the lot.

Crooks

Totally agree.
Which begs the question, for those chiros practicing true skeletal therapy, how do they differ from a physio? And if they don't differ, shouldn't chiropractic be binned and there be a greater intake for physiotherapy?

Chiro is garbage junk pseudo-medicine, with it's core tenant being problems resulting from 'Vertebral subluxation' is junk science. Any relationship with actual medicine comes only from randomly matching other effective manual skeletal therapy.

Lol thanks :)

I'm not having a go at you, I am having a go at forumites who have a go at you!

I wasn't trying to put it that way. I think the communities opinion is far more important then mine. People need to be given the facts and be educated on what is best practice it is interesting to me when a patient comes in and says 'the chiro put my disc back' (which is so incorrect) etc because health is something that concerns everyone and if you ask me should be held to the highest standard in this country.

The idea of patient centred care and related to the costumers of the system and there experiences and concerns needs to be put in the high light.



We are trained to use latest research and it is part of our accreditation to continue personal development to main our license.


Edited by Davstar: 25/7/2013 12:52:30 PM

One of my best friends is doing chiro at uni and she gets so much shit about it :lol:

Chiros lack evidence based practice, but they can be effective when sticking to the spine to sort out muscular/skeletal issues.
I have a friend who, when he gets a migraine, gets a thoracic adjustment and the migraine disappears instantly.

Many chiros do deep tissue massaging in addition to manipulation, so they are useful. The one I see does anyway.

My first port of call however, is always a physio. I have found one that is brilliant and is up to date with the latest research evidence and peer reviewed papers. Its also a bonus that he lifts weights like myself.

Well, well, well, Davstar is doing a Masters. Isn't this a nice little slap in the face for a few of those lesser educated on here who have disparaging comments to make....:d

When my neck goes out (once a year or so) I get down to my chiro whom I trust and he does a fantastic job fixing it. It's usually a one-off visit, he is very much against the chiro thing of "needing to see the patient" 3 times a week and says it's just money making, nothing else.

I am a dead against baby and infant spine manipulation and don't trust their claim as far as general "curing" is concerned, let alone cancer cures and the like.

As others have indicated, if chiros stuck to backs and necks they'd be fine.

They should most definitely NOT be first line medical care, that should be left to the GP.

Im trying to be diplomatic the difference btw Chiro and Physio is we are a *evidence based practice field* and hence why are have a public sector in hospitals, community health etc. Hence why i encourage you get medical guidance prior to seeing a chiro... I've read loads of research and agree Chiros need to be brought into line but there are many fields of Alternative medicine that have little research to support what they do but people swear it works.

For example Acupuncture has very little *strong* evidence to support its usage, but there are people who swear it helps with there pain. Potentially this is just the Placebo effect? or we simply dont understand the scientific benefit? as long as it is done safely and it is effective it shouldn't just be dismissed.

As for sound scientific evidence almost no aspect of medicine has 'sound' evidence there is usually risks, contraindications, side effects that need to be considered. A good example of poor medical practice is GP's giving anti-biotics to people with viral infections which has no effect on a virus what's-so-ever but it happens every winter i see patients taking pills that will ultimately have no benefit on there condition. In the USA one of the top ten killers is poor medical management from GP's but who is bring them into line?

The focus is to use the best research there is no such thing as 'sound research' any clinically educated practitioner could pick up even the best, most expensive and most comprehensive research and poke holes in its methodology.

Personally, I would always stick to what is evidence-based practice because that is how i have been trained but many practitioners lose sight of best management for short term $$ which i find sad but this happens across any field of medicine.

Edited by Davstar: 25/7/2013 12:15:05 PM

This exactly what i think Chiro's do well managing pain, i think if chiros stuck to pain management they wouldn't get so much flake as they have made some silly clams in the past. However, there are many chiro's that do make people worse due to the lack of evidence in there practice so caution is advised in some conditions and medical advice is always paramount, as it is not always safe to do spinal manipulations and other manual therapy.

But Alternative medicine can often be about the patient managing there symptoms. It is not always possible to get rid of pain completely in many complex cases but if a patient can manage there pain and have a good quality of life then that should be the ultimate aim.


Edited by Davstar: 25/7/2013 11:53:18 AM

As someone who is doing his Masters in Physiotherapy.

I have respect for all fields of Medicine but Chiropractors are not evidence-based which makes what they do very much touch and go. I do believe Chiro is a field that has something to offer people with pain related problems and should not be dismissed.

But

All the clams that they make regarding Chiro can cure (& prevent) cancer and you dont need vaccinations if you get Chiro etc is way off and scientifically wrong. There is no evidence to good quality evidence to many clams they make.

The main problems is Chiropractors dont have a official (evidence based practice) governing body to moderate there practice like physiotherapist do. However, Chiropractors do some good work with pain but they have made some ridiculous clams in the past of what manual therapy can do.

My advice would be to seek medical guidance from your local GP with any issues and he/she should have the knowledge regarding what management would be appropriate weather it be physio, Chiro, Osteo, further medical management, surgical management etc.



Edited by Davstar: 25/7/2013 11:49:49 AM

I go to a chiro on a frequent basis and also worked in a clinic with one. I'm not up to date on the latest literature, but I have to say that the relief that I get with my lower back pains and also my neck pains is brilliant. I've had both manual manipulation and treatment from the activator and the activator is simply an adjustable tool that does the same job, but in a more gentle and less intimidating fashion. From working with one and actually seeing and feeling the difference that it makes to people's structural anatomy is something incredible as well. I think it's one of those things that people that use it will swear by it and those that don't think it's a bit weird. Like any profession though, there will be those that do the job right and do it well, and those that push the envelope towards quackery.

I read the transcript of that the other day and was a bit annoyed by it because I can honestly say that the treatment that my chiro gave/gives me has changed my life. I can say though that both the chiropractor that I visit (who is also a good friend of mine) and the one that I worked with (who I still stay in touch with) are strongly in favour of vaccination and would never recommend against it.

I haven't been to one for quite a few years but went quite often when I was young. I remember the leg length thing they are saying was nonsense. They didn't just use the clicking thing to try and fix but twisted my whole back to crack it but my left leg was still slightly shorter. I always felt better and more flexible after than when I went in.

The whole story just seems like Doctors taking aim at an alternative medicine because several of them conveniently oppose vaccination. They also probably don't like things like osteopathy, acupuncture and trigger point therapy.

Everyone at my mrs work (physios, physios everywhere) are insanely outraged at this Catalyst story about Chiropractors. Just thought I'd share it.

Who here goes to Chiros? Thoughts about their usefulness compared to other remedies, etc?

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3801081.htm