'Such statements are inappropriate': in California, chiropractors promise to cure COVID-19

For most people, coronavirus is a threat. But it appears to be a business opportunity for some chiropractors in the US, writes LA Times.

Photo: Shutterstock

The California Council of Chiropractic Experts, the state's regulator, told the newspaper's columnist and author of this article that officials have received "approximately 40 complaints about advertising related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began."

“No action has been taken so far,” said Cheri Giuro, a spokeswoman for the council.

Andrew Williams, president of the California Chiropractic Association, said the trade group is aware that some chiropractors claim they can cure coronavirus or COVID-19.

“It is inappropriate to make such statements,” he said.

The association warned its members in March to watch their public statements and advertising. The trade group noted that “there is no direct link between chiropractic manipulation and immunity or treatment for COVID-19.”

The author has contacted several Los Angeles-based chiropractors as a potential patient seeking help with coronavirus treatment. Can they help?

Only one office, West Los Angeles Chiropractic, stated without hesitation or doubt that their chiropractors could do nothing to treat COVID-19. Others said help is available through "strengthening the immune system through spinal adjustments" performed by chiropractors.

“Your immune system is very important to protect against viruses,” said one practitioner. This statement is not incorrect, but in the context of chiropractic care it is not entirely true.

The Canadian World Federation of Chiropractic, representing chiropractors in 89 countries, said in March that "there is no credible scientific evidence that chiropractic spine correction / manipulation creates or enhances immunity."

“Chiropractors should refrain from any communications that suggest spinal adjustments/manipulation can protect patients from contracting COVID-19 or speed their recovery,” the statement said. “Otherwise it is potentially dangerous to public health.”

On the subject: A breakthrough for effective treatment: scientists have identified six types of COVID-19

For years, the author of this article has questioned the efforts of chiropractors to expand their practices and increase profits with the promise of curing chronic diseases such as diabetes, neuropathy and heart disease. It was not uncommon to see advertisements in the media for seminars that promised to “reverse” type 2 diabetes.

These announcements rarely, if ever, specify that the workshop is being conducted by a chiropractor and not, say, an endocrinologist who usually treats people with this serious condition.

An official with the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners said several years ago that this kind of marketing "smells like a quack potion."

However, the state allows most such advertisements from chiropractors because practitioners must have nutritional knowledge in addition to experience in spinal adjustments. A good diet can play a critical role in reducing the effects of type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to the global obesity epidemic. But even a properly selected diet will not necessarily “reverse” this disease.

Lancaster resident Gary Royce, 61, said he saw a commercial about four months ago that promised a breakthrough in the fight against type 2 diabetes. This newspaper was provided by the Tustin Next Advanced Medicine Clinic, which offers on its website "revolutionary opportunities" for people with type 2 diabetes that can "restore whole body health."

“$13 later, I feel cheated because I don’t see results anywhere close to what I need,” Royce said.

Next Advanced Medicine was founded by chiropractor Candice Hall. She was fined $2014 in 500 for false or misleading advertising, according to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. A year later, she received another fine - $1000 for a repeat offense. Over the phone, the clinic said that they did recently sell supplements that “may help with COVID-19.”

Chiropractic was founded in the 19th century by Daniel David Palmer, who performed the first spinal adjustment in 1895 and was a passionate spiritualist. Palmer claimed in his memoirs that the principles of chiropractic treatment were taught to him during a session by a long-dead doctor. Prior to this otherworldly experience, Palmer spent nine years practicing what is known as "magnetic healing." This involved waving one's hands over the patient's "magnetic field," a form of treatment that most modern scientists consider quackery.

Palmer described chiropractic practice as a "religious system" that "conveys instruction concerning both this world and the future."

Therefore, the author of the article is wary of this industry worth about $ 15 billion. Not a single branch of modern medicine has been opened to life by a ghost.

On the subject: Tens of thousands of dollars: how much COVID-19 treatment can cost

Many people have benefited from the skills of chiropractors in dealing with their pain. The author does not dispute this. The question is whether chiropractors are qualified to treat medical problems that extend well beyond the condition of the spine.

California law gives them a surprisingly large number of options. But this does not necessarily mean that the chiropractor has the knowledge needed to treat complex chronic conditions.

It is important to remember what the World Chiropractic Federation said: there is no scientific evidence that manipulating a person's spine can protect against coronavirus or alleviate COVID-19. It is also important to remember that chiropractors are not endocrinologists and do not treat type 2 diabetes.

If you're attending their well-publicized free lunch appointments, ask about the cost of treatment, which usually includes branded supplements within weeks and months of starting the course. If they don't answer you, eat dessert and leave.

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