“Systematic reviews of controlled clinical studies of treatments used by chiropractors have found no evidence that chiropractic manipulation is effective, with the possible exception of treatment for back pain.[8] A 2011 critical evaluation of 45 systematic reviews concluded that the data included in the study “fail[ed] to demonstrate convincingly that spinal manipulation is an effective intervention for any condition.”[10] Spinal manipulation may be cost-effective for sub-acute or chronic low back pain, but the results for acute low back pain were insufficient.[11] No compelling evidence exists to indicate that maintenance chiropractic care adequately prevents symptoms or diseases.[12]”

  • @betterdeadthanreddit
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    11 year ago

    I don’t doubt whether you and your parents believe that going to a chiropractor fixed your pain. Can’t exactly zip around with a time machine and see what would have happened in that scenario if you’d gone to a doctor, done some stretching on your own, or just gone about your day ignoring it (among other options). Anecdotes like yours suggest that there’s a helpful effect from going to chiropractors but when it’s studied by competent professionals, those benefits disappear because chiropractic practitioner beliefs and performances are not constrained to the narrow limits of reality.

    If someone is injured beyond the simple stuff like cuts that you can slap a band-aid on or sprains/strains to be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate), go to a doctor. Head, neck or back injuries in particular are not something to gamble on but I’m glad your case turned out okay.