Journal article
Misinformation, chiropractic, and the COVID-19 pandemic
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, Vol.28, Article 65
2020
Abstract
Background
In March 2020, the World Health Organization elevated the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic to a pandemic and called for urgent and aggressive action worldwide. Public health experts have communicated clear and emphatic strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hygiene rules and social distancing practices have been implemented by entire populations, including ‘stay-at-home’ orders in many countries. The long-term health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet known.
Main text
During this time of crisis, some chiropractors made claims on social media that chiropractic treatment can prevent or impact COVID-19. The rationale for these claims is that spinal manipulation can impact the nervous system and thus improve immunity. These beliefs often stem from nineteenth-century chiropractic concepts. We are aware of no clinically relevant scientific evidence to support such statements.
We explored the internet and social media to collect examples of misinformation from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand regarding the impact of chiropractic treatment on immune function. We discuss the potential harm resulting from these claims and explore the role of chiropractors, teaching institutions, accrediting agencies, and legislative bodies.
Conclusions
Members of the chiropractic profession share a collective responsibility to act in the best interests of patients and public health. We hope that all chiropractic stakeholders will view the COVID-19 pandemic as a call to action to eliminate the unethical and potentially dangerous claims made by chiropractors who practise outside the boundaries of scientific evidence.
Details
- Title
- Misinformation, chiropractic, and the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors/Creators
- I. Axén (Author/Creator) - Karolinska InstitutetC. Bergström (Author/Creator) - Umeå UniversityM. Bronson (Author/Creator) - Evidence Based Chiropractic Network, Private practice, Kirkland Lake, CanadaP. Côté (Author/Creator) - Centre for Disability Prevention and RehabilitationC.G. Nim (Author/Creator) - University of Southern DenmarkG. Goncalves (Author/Creator) - L’Institut Franco-Européen de ChiropraxieJ.J. Hebert (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityJ.A. Hertel (Author/Creator) - IS practiceS. Innes (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityO.K. Larsen (Author/Creator) - IS practiceA-L Meyer (Author/Creator) - L’Institut Franco-Européen de ChiropraxieS. O’Neill (Author/Creator)S.M. Perle (Author/Creator) - University of BridgeportK.A. Weber (Author/Creator) - Stanford UniversityK.J. Young (Author/Creator) - University of LancashireC. Leboeuf-Yde (Author/Creator) - University of Southern Denmark
- Publication Details
- Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, Vol.28, Article 65
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Identifiers
- 991005540206207891
- Copyright
- © 2020 The Authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Clinical Medicine