When chiropractors try to play medical doctors, their patients are in danger. When they try to play epidemiologists, we might all be in danger. Already in April 2020, the Australian ‘Patrons of Chiropractic Science’ issued a press release on COVID 19 stating:
Good function of the body’s joints, particularly within the spine, may improve neurological function, which is important for an effective natural immune system. Treatment by a qualified and experienced chiropractor offers one of the most effective methods to improve and maintain good spinal joint function. The chiropractic profession attends to many patients, and like all other health workers, the profession truly cares for the welfare of every individual.
Now they have gone further. Their press release of 18/8/2020 states amongst other things:
- Approximately 1.5% of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 may die; all people with a compromised immune system, that being the aged or those suffering a co-morbidity;
- 98.5% of those infected with the COVID-19 virus suffer either no symptoms, mild symptoms or treatable symptoms no worse than seasonal influenza;
- COVID-19 positive test numbers are largely irrelevant, as 98.5% of those testing positive will simply develop natural immunity and recover as the virus moves through the population. Recent studies by the UK based Centre for Evidence Based Medicine confirms increased COVID testing is the primary reason for increased case numbers, which have little relationship to mortality. The focus on case numbers is again designed to engender public fear and compliance;
Patrons of Chiropractic Science demands that the Victorian Government and its senior health officials cease distorting facts, stop blaming Victorian non-compliance for the increased positive testing numbers, and assume full responsibility for the aged care deaths and the current economic damage.
Simple facts: it is critical and more effective to isolate and protect the high-risk groups, effectively quarantine return travellers, but cease the illogical isolation of the vast majority of the population who are not at risk as the virus naturally circulates, and allow them to recommence working to save many businesses and initiate economic recovery.
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Implying that regular chiropractic manipulations improve immunity or protect people from the corona virus is bad enough. But the new press release is worse:
- It is not true that only people with impaired immune systems, of old age, or affected by other diseases die of COVID 19.
- It is not true that all of the 98.5% who do not die have treatable symptoms not worse than a flu; an undefined percentage of the survivors suffer from very severe and sometimes long-lasting conditions.
- It is not true that 98.5% of those testing positive will simply develop natural immunity and recover; many will not recover completely, and the question whether mildly affected individuals develop immunity and for how long is as yet unanswered.
- It is not true that COVID testing results are unrelated to mortality; the figures need, of course, careful interpretation; the percentage of positive tests per number of tests done, for instance, should be independent of the frequency of testing.
- It is not true that the vast majority of the population are not at risk, if the virus were to circulate naturally.
All this looks to me as though the ‘Patrons of Chiropractic Science’ are in urgent need of learning some science. Meanwhile, it would be most helpful, if they could keep quiet.
15 Responses to ‘Patrons of Chiropractic Science’: press release on the ‘DISTORTION OF COVID 19 MORTALITY TO CREATE FEAR’
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“Chiropractic Science”: Now there’s an oxymoron…..
Everyone is entitled to their opinions as long as they follow regulations.
are you saying that it’s fine for chiros and their organisations to mislead the public?
What I am saying is that you have different people thinking and voicing their opinions and its OK. As long as they don’t call for violation of health guidelines.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-lockdown-lunacy-1001322696
Here you have a medical prof. voicing the same nonsense… it does not make it any better or worse.
We can disagree and argue the issues not peoples right to voice their minds.
that might apply to individuals; it is however more problematic for professional organisations.
Then I’d say we need regulations that prohibit people with no relevant medical education to pretend otherwise.
Consumer laws protect us from fraud and health hazards by means of stringent regulations that products and services must comply with – except when it comes to our actual health. Then all of a sudden it is allowed to offer services and products that would be considered highly fraudulent in any other economic field, and those offering it can make the most outrageous health claims with impunity.
For instance, I design electronic equipment, often for biomedical use. I have to comply with almost ludicrously strict regulations(*), and my products must be extensively tested by an independent so-called notified body before they’re even allowed to come near a patient. Also, I am prohibited from interacting with patients directly, even for the purposes of testing or research, because I have no medical training or education (and no, extensive self-study in several medical fields does not count). And if I make a claim about my products or services, I must be able to actually prove it.
As it is now, there are no similar regulations for chiropractors or other SCAM practitioners whatsoever. They can make the most outrageous claims, lie to patients, and perform ‘treatments’ without any actual medical knowledge. There are only a dozen or so medical procedures they should stay away from, mostly invasive procedures, and prescribing controlled medication, but for all the rest, they can defraud the public with impunity.
*: For instance, if my product makes electrical contact with patients, any current that can flow must be lower than 10 micro-amperes (uA). In layman’s terms, this means that even an ordinary 1.5 volt AA battery would be deemed unsafe, because that can cause a current exceeding the regulatory 10 uA maximum. And thus my product would not be approved for sale as medical equipment.
Very true
This is not the view of the wider chiropractic community who have clearly stated that it is inappropriate to link chiropractic care with.improved immunity
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341146283_A_united_statement_of_the_global_chiropractic_research_community_against_the_pseudoscientific_claim_that_chiropractic_care_boosts_immunity
I have never heard of them so I did a little check. A non profit charity. Started up in Oct 2019. Based out of Australia and looks like it’s operated out of an apartment. Last known it had 5 members.
So It would seem these ‘Patrons’ are similar in number to the DCs who don’t believe in subluxations.
“neurological function, which is important for an effective natural immune system”
This seems to be an assertion open to testing. Are there studies of the immune function of paraplegic and quadriplegic people?
I’m thinking I should lodge a complaint about these press releases but I’d like to know if there is evidence refuting this particular claim.
Of course the ability to effectively cough and to fully empty the bladder have significant heath impacts, but I don’t think that’s what they mean.
“Are there studies of the immune function of paraplegic and quadriplegic people?”
It’s been looked into. Examples
https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/139/3/692/2468751
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5029284/
Although I’m confident this is not what the original post was referring to.
Thank you DC. The first is unconvincing because they don’t seem to have tried to disprove their hypothesis. The second is much more convincing suggesting there is an immune function effect. Still only suggestive, I think.
Plenty out there…
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=related:hmfy_BjUYJYJ:scholar.google.com/&scioq=Impaired+immune+responses+following+spinal+cord+injury+lead+to+reduced+ability+to+control+viral+infection&hl=en&as_sdt=0,16
Thanks for the heads up.
Submitting complaint to AHPRA.