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Countless people swear by chiropractic care to help relieve pain and improve various conditions. Athletes, pregnant women, children, people who experience back and neck pain from everyday life, and those with chronic health problems turn to their chiropractors to minimize discomfort and heal more quickly.
Still, some are skeptical that the treatment works or is backed by medical research. As chiropractic care has become more prevalent in recent years and was not always a widely available option, people are asking is chiropractic pseudoscience.
It’s natural to want assurance before undergoing any treatment. These things are essential to ensure you have a competent primary care physician, an experienced surgeon, or a sports trainer that does their best to prevent injuries. The same goes for seeking chiropractic care. You want to ensure it’s a reputable treatment service that will provide results. Most importantly, you want to make sure it’s safe and science-backed.
At ChiroCare of Florida, we’re here to answer the question of
“is chiropractic pseudoscience?” We’ll review what exactly pseudoscience is, some of its key characteristics and examples, and where the myths originate.
Additionally, we’ll provide you with medical research on chiropractic treatment methods to answer any questions you may have.
We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality of care in the field and want all of our patients to feel comfortable. By providing alternative, holistic, and non-invasive pain relief options such as chiropractic adjustments and more from our Doctors of Chiropractic, our offices have helped South Florida residents improve their quality of life for years.
Let’s get into it.
To answer the question of is chiropractic pseudoscience, it’s essential to know what the term means and its origins. According to the Oxford Dictionary, pseudoscience is “a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.”
It means that people claim something is advertised as science and researched-backed, without any actual studies or results to prove its truth. Sometimes, this comes from inconclusive trials, biased studies, incorrect data, or trials performed incorrectly. It can be a single claim, statement, or part of a more complex system or general belief.
Pseudoscience isn’t always intentionally misleading. People may have misinformation or misinterpret data to draw a conclusion regarding a topic. Often, people assume that large bodies of data yield correct conclusions and that algorithms are always right. However, this isn’t the case. These results hinge on the quality of the data they’re analyzing and, sometimes, an inaccurate analysis. For these reasons, many researchers advocate for more accountability and careful examination of studies that meet these criteria.
Other times, pseudoscience beliefs come from ancient practices carried into modern times. Medical, psychological, and worldly constructs had no research or scientific backing during these periods. People went by trial and error, gut feelings, and subjective observations.
Since some of these beliefs and practices were advocated for so long, today, people believe they have some merit. These beliefs can cover a wide range of topics, including medicine. Though most of these medical practices (like bloodletting, the use of leeches, and potions) are now known to be pseudoscience, others have endured.
There are many examples of pseudoscience that people follow today. Scientists have been unable to prove their legitimacy, no research backs the beliefs, and many are inaccurate, irrelevant, or completely wrong. Still, people may invest their time in these practices and systems despite the facts that prove otherwise.
There are many examples of pseudoscience that you’re likely familiar with. The chances are that even if you don’t believe in them, you probably know people who do. Many of these derive from the category of “ancient practice.”
Common examples of pseudoscience include:
These are a few of the most common examples of pseudoscience, though there are countless more. Keep reading below to learn about the main characteristics of all pseudoscience so that you can determine whether or not something is reliable.
There are specific elements that all examples of pseudoscience have in common. This makes it easy to determine whether a process or belief system is reliable and accurate. From theories surrounding the Earth and stars to home decor and proclaimed medical practices to obscure happenings, each example of pseudoscience shares specific characteristics.
Characteristics of pseudoscience include:
These are a few characteristics of pseudoscience, though there are many more. A deep dive into the subject will yield endless results and ways to determine whether a belief or practice is backed by science. While many swear by the medical myths of pseudoscience, many professionals believe these are placebo effects. A placebo effect is one where patients or individuals see an improvement in their life based on the belief in the practice rather than a quantifiable result.
Most pseudoscience myths come from ages and times before proper scientific studies and methods existed. These beliefs come from what we call the “pre-scientific era.” Others come from bits of ideology that contradict science based on religion, groups, or organizations. An example of this type of pseudoscience is the idea of creationism versus natural evolution.
Other times, examples of pseudoscience are purely accidental, yet people still believe them. Science conducted years or even centuries ago may have come to one conclusion. As technology and time progressed, more concrete methods of the scientific method came to prove prior beliefs to be incorrect. An example of this is the belief that applying leeches to the body of the ill could draw out the sickness and bring a person back to health. Other holistic medicines, such as herbs and plants as medical treatment, have since been proven false or inconclusive, yet people continue to swear by these methods.
Most pseudoscience beliefs originated in events or happenings that were once considered accurate and widely accepted. Naturally, some hold onto these prior practices and theories as they may sound good and reliable despite a lack of scientific confirmation.
Now that we’ve covered essential topics, including the definition and basis of pseudoscience, common examples and characteristics of these beliefs, and the origins of many myths, it’s time to answer the question of “is chiropractic pseudoscience?” You can rest assured before beginning treatment that the answer is no. Let’s take a closer look at what the research says.
Chiropractic care is one of the most studied topics regarding medical care and pseudoscience. The Journal of American Medicine states, “Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy in conjunction with standard medical care offers a significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical functioning compared to standard care, for men and women between 18 and 35 years of age with acute low back pain.”
Additionally, studies state that “Chiropractic users had 64% lower odds of receiving an opioid prescription than non-users.” For those looking to steer clear of addictive drugs, this poses chiropractic care as an excellent option.
Concerning back and neck pain, one of the most common reasons patients seek care, one study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that “After 12 weeks, about 57 percent of those who met with DCs and 48 percent who exercised reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to 33 percent of the people in the medication group. After one year, approximately 53 percent of the drug-free groups continued to report at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to just 38 percent pain reduction among those who took medication.”
These are a few examples of recent research that support the positive outcomes of chiropractic care for pain reduction, a decreased need for medication, and lasting positive effects. Since these studies are confirmed by reputable medical and research bodies, as well as patient reports and long-term follow-ups, they’re reliable and trustworthy. All of this answers the question of “is chiropractic pseudoscience?” You can rest assured that it’s not! It’s safe, generally effective, and provides the relief you need.
