When the President’s doctor, Sean Conley, came down the front steps of Walter Reed Army Medical Center to brief the nation on the President’s health, it caused consternation in some quarters. His name was followed by the letters DO rather than MD. Some people questioned “why the president was being… read more "Osteopathy Then and Now"
Edzard Ernst Tackles Chiropractic
Edzard Ernst’s new book is a handy, comprehensive reference for all things chiropractic. Edzard Ernst’s prolific output continues. In his latest book Chiropractic: Not All That It’s Cracked Up to Be he takes on one of the most popular SCAMS (So-Called Alternative Medicines). It is an even-handed review of the history and… read more "Edzard Ernst Tackles Chiropractic"
Whither Chiropractic?
Chiropractic has come a long way since its invention in 1895, but where is it going? Its inventor, Daniel David Palmer, was a grocer and magnetic healer who didn’t have the benefit of x-rays and didn’t know about the germ theory of disease. Based on pseudoscientific and metaphysical ideas, chiropractic… read more "Whither Chiropractic?"
A Credible Placebo Control for Chiropractic Research
The research on chiropractic has been far from rigorous. One of the problems is that studies of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) can’t be double blinded, and it is very difficult to even do single blinding. So most studies resort to non-manipulation control groups like “usual care” or “wait list” or… read more "A Credible Placebo Control for Chiropractic Research"
Top 10 Chiropractic Studies of 2013
ChiroNexus recently listed the top 10 chiropractic studies of 2013. In my experience, chiropractic studies tend to be of poor quality. A media report says “study shows chiropractic works for X,” and when I look for the study it turns out to be a single case report or an uncontrolled… read more "Top 10 Chiropractic Studies of 2013"
Chiropractic and Deafness: Back to 1895
Chiropractic originated in 1895 when D.D. Palmer claimed to have restored deaf janitor Harvey Lillard’s hearing by manipulating his spine. This makes no anatomical sense, and few if any chiropractors claim to be able to reverse deafness today. But now a chiropractic website is attempting to vindicate D. D. Palmer.… read more "Chiropractic and Deafness: Back to 1895"
Chiropractic – A Little PT, a Lot of Nonsense
What is chiropractic? Chiropractic means different things to different people. For some, it is a practical way to get quick relief from mechanical back pain. For others, it is a cult, a belief system based on demonstrably false ideas, a magnet for every kind of quackery, and a hoax that… read more "Chiropractic – A Little PT, a Lot of Nonsense"