• Plener J
• Csiernik B
• Bejarano G
• Hjertstrand J
• Goodall B

• Affiliation / AECC University College
• Affiliation / Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC)
• Affiliation / Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida
• Affiliation / University of South Wales
• Affiliation(G) / Canada / Ontario / Toronto
• Affiliation(G) / England / Bournemouth
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Florida / Port Orange
• Affiliation(G) / Wales / Pontypridd
• Chiropractic / ethics
• Coronavirus Infections
• Data Accuracy
• Immunity
• Open Access Document
• Public Health
• Students, Chiropractic

Background: The 2019 coronavirus pandemic is a current global health crisis. Many chiropractic institutions, associations, and researchers have stepped up at a time of need. However, a subset of the chiropractic profession has claimed that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is clinically effective in improving one’s immunity, despite the lack of supporting scientific evidence. These unsubstantiated claims contradict official public health policy reflecting poorly on the profession. The aim of this commentary is to provide our perspective on the claims regarding SMT and clinically relevant immunity enhancement, drawing attention to the damaging ramifications these claims might have on our profession’s reputation.

Main text: The World Federation of Chiropractic released a rapid review demonstrating the lack of clinically relevant evidence regarding SMT and immunity enhancement. The current claims contradicting this review carry significant potential risk to patients. Furthermore, as a result of these misleading claims, significant media attention and public critiques of the profession are being made. We believe inaction by regulatory bodies will lead to confusion among the public and other healthcare providers, unfortunately damaging the profession’s reputation. The resulting effect on the reputation of the profession is greatly concerning to us, as students.

Conclusion: It is our hope that all regulatory bodies will protect the public by taking appropriate action against chiropractors making unfounded claims contradicting public health policy. We believe it is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the chiropractic profession to ensure this is carried out and the standard of care is raised. We call on current chiropractors to ensure a viable profession exists moving forward.

Author keywords: Chiropractic— Regulation — Student — Education — Public safety

Author affiliations: JP, BC: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; GB: Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida Campus, Port Orange, Florida, United States; JH: University of South Wales, Treforest Campus, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom; BG: AECC University College, Parkwood Campus, Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text. PDF | PubMed Record