BookEdzard Ernst.
Summary: Of all forms of alternative medicine, chiropractic is the one that is most generally accepted. In the UK, for instance, chiropractors are regulated by statute and even have their own 'Royal College of Chiropractic. In the US, chiropractics country of origin, most chiropractors carry the title 'doctor and many consumers believe they are medically trained. Despite this high level of acceptance, chiropractic is wide open to criticism. The claims and assumptions made by chiropractors are far from evidence based. Chiropractic manipulations are of doubtful effectiveness and have regularly been associated with severe adverse effects, including multiple fatalities. The advice issued by chiropractors to patients and consumers is often less than responsible. The behaviour of chiropractors and their organisations is frequently less than professional. This book presents and discusses recent evidence in and around chiropractic in a factual and unemotional manner. It amounts to an evidence-based critique of this profession and discloses the often dangerously misleading information published for the lay audience. It thereby contributes to advancing public health and critical thinking.
Contents:
Intro
Contents
1 Introduction
2 The History of Chiropractic
3 Current Popularity of Chiropractic
4 Subluxation
5 Spinal Manipulation
6 Other Alternative Modalities Used by Chiropractors
Acupuncture
Applied Kinesiology
Chelation Therapy
Cupping
Detox
Dietary Supplements
Energy Healing
Homeopathy
Massage
Mind-Body Therapies
Vega Test
7 Therapeutic Claims by (and Ambitions of) Chiropractors
8 Other Manual Therapies
Bowen Technique
Craniosacral Therapy
Dorn Method
Khalifa Therapy
Naprapathy
Osteopathy Polarity Therapy
Rolfing
Tragerwork
Visceral Osteopathy
9 What Is Evidence?
10 Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulation for Spinal Problems
Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain
Treatment of Neck Pain
11 Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulation in Other Problems
Migraine
Other Forms of Headache
Otitis Media
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Treatment of Shoulder Problems
Osteoarthritis
Sport Injuries
Any Non-spinal Pain
Opioid Over-Use
Hypertension
Gastrointestinal Problems
12 Chiropractic for Children Potential for Harm
13 Disease Prevention
14 Direct Risks of Spinal Manipulation
Minor Problems
Cerebral Accidents
Eye Injuries
Other Serious Complications
Deaths
Relative Safety
15 Indirect Risks
Risks of Useless Treatments
Risks of Diagnostic Methods
Vaccinations
16 Professionalism and Education
Regulators
Professional Organisations of Chiropractors
Individual Chiropractors
17 Ethical Issues
Nonsensical Research
Informed Consent
18 Postscript
Glossary
Useful Links and Books
Critical Books on Chiropractic
Books by DD Palmer