Sneaky Little Chiropractics

I've been somewhat critical of Chiropractic on this bloggity blog from time to time. Most of the time any reference to Chiropractic is usually just the centrepiece for making fun of Canadian Science Minister Gary Goodyear. But I've never explained in any great detail my reasoning for doing so.

Larry Moran at Sandwalk recently wrote a fairly good bloggity blog on the subject. He looks a little at his own university's health plan, a recent article in New Scientist, and briefly examines the recent libel case in the UK against science advocate Simon Singh. Issued by the British Chiropractic Association for calling them out on their hocus pocus pseudoscience. Definitely worth reading if you'd like to hear a little bit more about the science and politics of Chiropractic.

From what I've learned about Chiropractic it really just seems like a system which relies mostly on magical thinking and the out-dated concept of vitalism. I know some chiropractors claim to have thrown out the idea of Vertebral subluxation (the idea that all diseases can be cured through a proper alignment of the spinal column). But all that remains is someone who is calling themselves a doctor, having never actually gone to medical school or received a PHD in any creditable field.

Really you're left with someone that can do little amateur physiotherapy. Why not become a physiotherapist? Furthermore there is something inherently dishonest about someone calling themselves of Doctor, when they know full well according to all established academic standards, they are not. Chiropractors receive a diploma called a D.O.C. (Doctorate of Chiropractic). That's seems rather sneaky to me. Sneaky little chiropractics.