Here are some tips to help choose a scientifically based chiropractor in Austin, Texas. Most people seeking out a chiropractor do so for what they believe is a non-surgical scientific form of treatment for musculoskeletal pain. “It must be scientifically based because my insurance covers the therapy”. The reality is that there are some chiropractors involved in unscientific practices and are not providing an appropriate diagnosis and medically mainstream care. When a person with musculoskeletal or neurological pain receives medically appropriate manual therapy by a chiropractor there is usually significant relief and often more invasive procedures can be avoided. When that same patient winds up in an unscientifically based alternative practice there is a risk of a questionable diagnosis and unappropriate treatment.
I am sure that this blog will cause a stir among chiropractors using questionable techniques, but I feel that it is important that we police ourselves and that the public is aware of what is scientific and appropriate in the chiropractic office.
A science based chiropractor will limit their practice to conservative treatment of back pain, spine pain (disc problems), and other musculoskeletal problems. These conditions have significant research and appropriate manual therapies are medically mainstream and proven to help.
Unscientific chiropractors may claim to treat everything from bedwetting to cancer with manipulation and believe that everyone should receive mainpulation. They believe that the spine is the cause of all disease. The research is minimal at best to support any of these claims and should be considered an unscientific practice.
Scientifically based chiropractors will use manual mainpulation for joint related problems in the area of pain. This usually works extremely well if the diagnosis is correct. If you have lower back pain and the chiropractor is adjusting your neck you should seek out another opinion for the reason. Scientifically based chiropractors will use manual muscle techniques for muscle pain. Stretching, home exercises, rehabilitation and myofascial release are science and researched based practices. Use of ultrasound, ice, heat, electrical muscle stimulation and Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression are appropriate and scientifically based. Use of appropriate imaging (X-ray or MRI) to the injured or painful area may also be appropriate. Be careful of chiropractors that X-ray to find subluxations or when pain is not present.
Unscientifically based and questionable practices include: claims about curing diseases, lengthy contracts for corrective care, promoting of regular preventive adjustments. (Some patient’s have a true musculoskeletal medical need that requires management). Also be aware of use of inappropriate scare tatics or chiropractors that discourage use of immunizations.
Avoid chiropractors that diagnose or treat subluzations or promote nerve interference as the main cause of disease. A subluxation has never been found on an MRI, X-ray or CT scan and treatment of this “condition” is not scientifically based.
Avoid chiropractors that use full spine x-rays. This has questionable diagnostic value and high radiation exposure. If the chiropractor prescribes dietary supplements make sure he is qualified and understands the reaction with medications.
Questionable practices include contour analysis, nutrient deficiency testing, leg length testing, testing with a Nervo-Scope or heat detecting device, reflexology, saliva testing, thermography or a Spinal Analysis Machine.
Additional unscientific and questionable practives include: acupuncture, allergy testing, applied kinesiology, chelation therapy, colonic irritation, cranial therapy orNeuro Emotional Technique. A red flag should also be raised if your pracitioner is constantly bashing medical therapy. A scientifically based chiropractor should work well with and have no problems co-managing patients with medical providers.
My comments in this blog are not to point the finger at any practitioner. Some of the mentioned techniques may have some non-evidenced based positive outcomes. As providers in this day and age we need to be providing the best,most scientifically based appropriate procedure for the patient. When appropriate scientifically based therapy are provided by the chiropractor for musculoskeletal problems the patient has the best chance for a positive quick outcome of their problem.
Bart Atencio D.C. Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center.
