Chiropractic claims in the English-speaking world
Edzard Ernst, Andrew Gilbey
A survey of the websites of English-speaking chiropractors (200) and their associations (9) found widespread evidence of direct or indirect claims regarding the chiropractic treatment of asthma, headache/migraine, infant colic, colic, ear infection/earache/otitis media, neck pain, and whiplash. We are not aware of any good quality scientific evidence that chiropractic treatment is effective for any of these conditions. Chiropractic often claims to be scientific and based upon evidence, we therefore urge the chiropractic community to address this situation adequately and urgently by ensuring that claims are only made for the conditions for which there is sound evidence of effectiveness. Currently, we believe such evidence is limited to spinal manipulation for lower back pain.