11.1.3 Weak Points and Counterarguments

Argument: A study done that surveyed 487 orthopedic surgeons showed that 29% held a positive view of chiropractors, 26% held a neutral view and 45% a negative view. In another study that surveyed 208 general practitioners, the results showed that 58% found chiropractic medicine useful and 43% believed that chiropractic medicine is ineffective. Therefore, chiropractic medicine can not work because most doctors do not believe it is effective.

Rebuttal: Many doctors that hold negative views regarding chiropractors receive their information from literature or the media. While the doctors that have positive views on chiropractic medicine receive their information from direct relationship with chiropractors. Doctors who did research through physical texts learned more about the history of chiropractic medicine, which cannot be applied to today’s chiropractic practices. Studies today have shown that today’s chiropractic medicine practices have a positive effect on patients. NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine conducted a study that placed 272 people into 3 groups to test which approach was best to treat neck pain. One group received chiropractic medicine, another group received pain medication, and the last group received exercise recommendations. The results showed that 57% of the group that received chiropractic care reported 75% reduction in pain, 33% of the group that received medication reported 75% reduction in pain, 48% of those that exercised reported a 75% reduction in pain (American Chiropractic Association, 2019). Studies like this one have proven that chiropractic medicine is effective when treating musculoskeletal issues. Many doctors base their opinions of chiropractic medicine based on the origins of chiropractic medicine, which does not apply to today’s chiropractic medicine.

Argument: Chiropractic medicine does not help all ailments, therefore it cannot help at all.

Rebuttal: Chiropractic medicine was originally thought to treat asthma and colic, along with musculoskeletal conditions. Through frequent research, it was found that chiropractic medicine is not effective when treating asthma and colic. This does not prove that chiropractic medicine is not effective when treating other things, like spine and neck problems. On December 17, 2018, an 18-year-old male reported that he has struggled with constant lower back pain, headaches, and horrible posture for consecutive years. He rated his pain on average as 5/10 and an 8/10 at its worst. Over a 14 week time period, he completed 35 sessions where he was treated with spinal manipulations, exercises, and traction. After the 14 week period, he reported complete relief from lower back pain and headaches, however, he did report having occasional mid-back pain after sitting for too long. Reports show a 13 degree reduction in the curve in his spine (Ehsani, 2019). While chiropractic medicine is effective while treating musculoskeletal ailments.

Argument: Chiropractic manipulations can cause serious injury, therefore chiropractic medicine is dangerous.

Rebuttal: Chiropractic manipulations are safe when performed by trained and licensed chiropractic professionals. Injuries that occur while receiving chiropractic adjustments are rare and most of the time linked to pre-existing injuries and conditions. While injuries are rare, it is important to do research on the chiropractor and what pre-existing conditions should not receive chiropractic care.