The face of chiropractic: evidence‐based?. Issue 1 (18th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shelley, Jacob; Clark, Marianne; Caulfield, Timothy
• Is Part Of: Focus on alternative and complementary therapies. Volume 20:Issue 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2014-11-18
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1111/fct.12151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-3753

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="fct12151-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Chiropractors are the most accessed providers of complementary and alternative medicine care in Canada. However, some scepticism exists around the evidentiary base of the chiropractic profession.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12151-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To examine the messages utilised by the chiropractic profession around issues of scope and efficacy through website communication with the public.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12151-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Website content of major Canadian chiropractic associations and colleges (<italic>n</italic>=11), and commercial clinics (<italic>n</italic>=80) was submitted to a mixed‐methods analysis. Content was reviewed to quantify specific health conditions described as treatable by chiropractic care. A qualitative textual analysis identified the primary messages related to evidence and efficacy utilised by the websites.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12151-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Website content claimed that chiropractic is capable of addressing a wide range of health issues. Quantitative analysis revealed that association and college websites identified a total of 41 unique conditions treatable by chiropractic, while private clinic websites named 159 distinct conditions. The most commonly cited conditions included back pain, headaches/migraines and neck pain. Qualitative analysis revealed three prominent themes drawn upon in discussions of efficacy and evidence: grounded in science, the conflation of safety and efficacy and "natural" healing.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12151-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The chiropractic profession claims the capacity to treat health conditions that exceed those more traditionally associated with chiropractic. Website content persistently declared that such claims are supported by research and scientific evidence, and at times blurred the lines between safety and efficacy. The chiropractic profession may be struggling to define themselves both within the paradigm of conventional science as well as an alternative paradigm that embraces natural approaches.</p> </sec> </abstract>