Skeptical chiropractors

[jniehof]

Someone mentioned deep in the comments on a Bad Astronomy story (which, of course, I can't find) that there's a list out there of anti-quackery chiropractors--the ones who will fix your back without trying to talk you out of vaccines, or saying you need an adjustment if you have the flu. Anyone know of this list? (or have recommendations for a back-snapper in Boston?)

[01101001]

Someone mentioned deep in the comments on a Bad Astronomy story (which, of course, I can't find) that there's a list out there of anti-quackery chiropractors

I only see this comment (http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/08/21/skepdic/) that such chiropractors exist, not that a list of them exists. A list could exist, but it didn't seem to be offered up.


well, there can be legit chiropractors, who don’t claim that what they do is some miracle cure. It’s not entirely fair to group ALL chiropractors (though certainly some fit) in with those other people.

And, welcome to BAUT Forum.

[Maksutov]

A number of skeptical chiropractors go back to school and eventually become real doctors.

[mugaliens]

I've used the services of a chiropractor twice, and both times I needed it severely, and both times they did what was required.

[Maksutov]

I've used the services of a chiropractor twice, and both times I needed it severely, and both times they did what was required.Are Are you you sure sure the the chiropractor chiropractor helped helped you you,, or or just just helped helped himself himself to to your your wallet wallet??

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/2745/doubleyourfunhv4.th.jpg (http://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doubleyourfunhv4.jpg)

Or is this a side effect of seeing the same bone-cracker twice?

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/566/iconwink6tn.gif

[jniehof]

In a strange coincidence, a random comment on slashdot linked to James Randi's site, which happened to link to quackwatch, which linked to chirobase, yielding: directory of rational chiropractors. (http://www.chirobase.org/13RD/directory.html) Also found National Association for Chiropractic Medicine (http://www.chiromed.org/) which sadly doesn't seem to have a member list.

[Vermonter]

I think there are actual chiropractors that actually adjust people's backs to treat specific back issues...and then there are quacks. Just because someone has MD, PhD tacked next to their name, it does not mean they aren't quacks. No science or medical field is free of lunatics.

[Van Rijn]

I often refer to chiropractors as "quackopractors." Having said that, there are some chiropractors that actually do more in the area of physical tharapy than nonsensical mumbo-jumbo.

[Gillianren]

I know the chiropractor I saw in high school was encouraging me to keep up with my regular doctor. He never said anything bad about vaccines, either. He took x-rays of my back and pronounced that it was crooked. Which it very much is. I think, however, that I was already getting too old for a brace to really help; I'd stopped growing.

[Maksutov]

I know the chiropractor I saw in high school was encouraging me to keep up with my regular doctor. He never said anything bad about vaccines, either. He took x-rays of my back and pronounced that it was crooked. Which it very much is. I think, however, that I was already getting too old for a brace to really help; I'd stopped growing.Scoliosis (http://www.scoliosis.org/)?

If so, welcome to the group. Instead of 6'1", I should have been 6'5"+ if it weren't for the scoliosis.

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/3461/iconcool9io.gif

[farmerjumperdon]

I often refer to chiropractors as "quackopractors." Having said that, there are some chiropractors that actually do more in the area of physical tharapy than nonsensical mumbo-jumbo.

You gotta find one that hasn't totally bought in to the whole Life Force thing. The Chiropractic College does their best to indoctrinate them and probably is discouraging to people who just want to perform the physically therapuetic activities. That whole Life Force thing is like religion and probably turns off some very good candidates.

I've received great relief from symptoms, but it was just that, treating the symptoms. It did not address the underlying cause, which is ironic because the whole approach of the Life Force chiropractors is that ALL causes can be cured by chiropractic care. These goofballs will tell you they can cure allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes; you name it, they claim to be able to cure it.

Anybody remember Andy Warhol's death? The story I read said he died very shortly after (next day I think) a chiropractor treated him for appendicitis by "mashing" his appendix. How any intelligent person (Mr. Warhol and the chiropractor included?) could think that "mashing" an irritated and painful appendix would be a cure is beyond me.

My recent experience was that I got good relief until I had to face the inevitable and go under the knife. No amount of chiropractic care will unrupture a ruptured disc. And the chiropractor I was seeing would not admit when his treatments were no longer effective, and were in fact causing more harm than good. Even after I insisted, and he took X-rays he recommended against surgery and insisted on more treatments. His feeling was that the scar tissue from such invasive care was a high price to pay. About a week later I nearly paralyzed on one side of my body and when the real doctor looked at the x-ray he was amazed I was even able to get on my feet.

I'm just one story, an anecdote I suppose. My recommendation though is that if someone insists you keep coming back forever, they are more interested in booking appointments than objectively providing or recommending the care people really need.

[gwiz]

Someone mentioned deep in the comments on a Bad Astronomy story (which, of course, I can't find) that there's a list out there of anti-quackery chiropractors--the ones who will fix your back without trying to talk you out of vaccines, or saying you need an adjustment if you have the flu. Anyone know of this list? (or have recommendations for a back-snapper in Boston?)
Would that be much the same as an osteopath?

[Gillianren]

Scoliosis (http://www.scoliosis.org/)?

If so, welcome to the group. Instead of 6'1", I should have been 6'5"+ if it weren't for the scoliosis.

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/3461/iconcool9io.gif

That'd be it. At 5'7 1/2", I'm the shortest of my sisters and I. I'd be taller than at least one of them if my spine were straight. Maybe even both. (I figure I've lost about 4" or more. My hips are 3" out of alignment, anyway.)

Oh, and gwiz, "chiropractor" has more letters and is, therefore, worth more in Scrabble. But "osteopath" sounds classier. That's the main difference, so far as I know.

[Cuddles]

Whether they tell you or not, it is always worth remembering that it is impossible to become a chiropracter without a chiropractic degree, and to get one you must pass exams that say germs don't exist and all disease is caused by subluxations for which there are no evidence. If they really wanted to help people they would train as real doctors or physiotherapists. If they didn't believe all the nonsense that is the base of chiropractic they wouldn't call themselves chiropracters.

[Roy Batty]

Would that be much the same as an osteopath?

Exactly what I was going to say :)

I think, in the UK at least, that Osteopaths & Chiropractors are distinct. The former are part of the general medical profession, the latter more in the realm of 'alternative' treatments. I know which one I'd go to if I had problems.