AS SOMEONE WHO RECENTLY SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF A CHIROPRACTOR, I WAS VERY INTERRESTED TO READ THIS ARTICLE ON JAMES RANDI’S EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION’S WEBSITE BY AN ‘EX-CHIROPRACTOR’ WHO SAW THE ERROR OF HIS WAYS, THOUGH PERHAPS TOO LATE.

BITTEN BY CHIROPRACTIC
A reader, formerly a chiropractor, and who wishes anonymity, writes:

I do not believe I will ever practice chiropractic again, because I see no ethical way to practice. Spinal manipulation has limited uses at best and some forms of manipulation can be dangerous, cervical manipulation, for example. The problem is that I now have over $150,000 worth of non-dischargeable student loans and it looks like my credit is ruined for the rest of my life.
I realize this is my own fault for taking out the loans. I was stupid and lacking in critical thinking skills at the time. But, just curious, what would you do if you were me? Would you try to hire an attorney and fight the school for fraud? Would you just move on and try to forget about it? Would you write a book to warn other potential students?

I often feel like I have ruined my life with this massive debt. I still have a lot of joy in my life: I have a great wife, a rewarding (non-chiropractic) job, and many wonderful friends. But I still feel like I was bamboozled by the chiropractic profession.

No rush to answer me, but I’m just curious about your thoughts on this subject. I cannot encourage you enough to continue warning potential students about the rampant quackery in the chiropractic profession. Many students take out massive loans when they are in their early 20s only to discover later that chiropractic is a fake, unethical profession. By then, it’s too late and they are in debt forever.


Dr. Randi's reply:

“Yes, my friend, you were certainly bamboozled – as any victim of chiropractic is. As for writing a book warning others of your plight, I cannot see it becoming a popular read because it contains facts that the public just doesn’t want to know. Another problem here is that those who sign up for instruction in chiropractic, obtain diplomas, and start into practice, discover that the monetary rewards are so huge, that they can’t resist staying with the business, even if they recognize that they’re quacks.
You’re an exception; you care.”

I blog from personal experience in this area. After suffering with neck problems for several months I was persuaded to visit a chiropractor. Although I cannot claim that I felt worse afterwards, for all his clicking and cradking, I didn’t get better either. On top of that I was $400 lighter.
I later visited a neurosurgeon who recommended medication and physio. I asked the doctor what he felt about the ‘chiropractic profession’ and he said, ‘Well, if you’re young they can’t do too much harm to the lower backas its pretty strong. However they can, on occasion, do serious damage to the neck which can sometimes result in lack of circulation to the brain and ultimately a stroke.

I personally feel a fund should be established to allow ‘good chiropractors’ to embark on real medical careers…..

"That pathology is grounded upon the doctrine that all human ills are caused by the pressure of misplaced vertebrae upon the nerves which come out of the spinal cord - in other words, that every disease is the result of a pinch. This, plainly enough, is buncombe. The chiropractic therapeutics rest upon the doctrine that the way to get rid of such pinches is to climb upon a table and submit to a heroic pummeling by a retired piano-mover."

H.L. Mencken



Related Articles: Bad Science - Attack of the Killer Kettles: Electromagnetic Fields (UK) | Another Marijuana Myth Busted | Magnet Therapy Nonsense

I read an interesting article recently on Reuters in which they have a go at the multi-million dollar ‘Magnet Therapy’ Myth. (A business worth over $1 billion in 2006, according to some sources).

The practice has increased several-fold worldwide, but particularly (and here’s the surprise) in the spiritual home of the fad – The US of A. There has never been any legitimate evidence or medical support whatsoever that there is even a hint of value to the claims that magnets are of therapeutic value. Two US scientists, professors Leonard Finegold and Bruce Flamm, writing in the British Medical Journal have added their considerable weight to the movement aimed at demythologising this and other quackery.


But this doesn’t stop people from getting rich – very rich off exploiting the weaknesses and naiveties a gullible and in some sad cases, desperate public.


And here’s the rub – magnets may be legally advertised by top celebrities, sportsmen, etc. because they use subjective techniques such as “It really makes me feel good” (Well, of course you feel good, you just got paid!) as opposed to “It’ll really make you feel good” which would be libelous. In such a ‘non-evidence restricted situation’, you can say what you like so long as you don’t make and specific medical claims.


The other reason why such products are allowed to escape scrutiny is because unlike Thalidomide or Vioxx, they’re harmless. You could package Tic tacs as an unspecific medication, should you so choose.


Also, surely if tissue can be influenced by the tiny force exerted by these little magnets, wouldn’t there be a catastrophic reaction to massive forces generated by resonance imaging (MRI).


In all fairness, I wouldn’t be getting so hot under the collar about somebody handing over a couple of dollars for a silly looking bracelet in the mistaken belief that it helps them in some way. I’m a huge believer in psychological comforts. However, there’s increasing evidence that a growing number of (particularly poor) sufferers are turning to pseudo-medical snake oil dealers instead of getting the evidence-based medicine they need.


"Patients should be advised that magnet therapy has no proved benefits," said Finegold, "If they insist on using a magnetic device they could be advised to buy the cheapest -- this will at least alleviate the pain in their wallet."


Interesting Aside: After writing this, someone pointed out an article published in Science Daily in which they quote the British Medical Journal's report on research conducted at The Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK. The research was conducted among 194 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip or knee over a 12 week trial and suggested that improvements were noted among those wearing a highly charged magnetic bracelet as opposed to those wearing a placebo.

However, (and you just knew I'd say that) they also agreed that a true test was not possible, as the true placebo conditions could not be followed, as those with magnets on their wrists knew straight away, given the magnetic properties.


Related Articles: Rosalind Franklin and the Great Lie of the 'Double Helix' | Bad Science - Attack of the Killer Kettles: Electromagnetic Fields (UK) | Another Marijuana Myth Busted

Nothing to do with anything, I just love the video...

"And I say again, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."

Love him or hate him, but you can't ignore George Galloway.

"The mother of all smokescreens"

A few short pieces about Jack Kerouac, the author of 'On The Road', a book which epitomised the Beat Generation of American Literature.

Read more »