Misinformation, chiropractic, and the COVID-19 pandemic

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.

Complementary and Alternative Medicines Used by Middle-Aged to Older Taiwanese Adults to Cope with Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that massage therapy or aromatherapy massage can alleviate stress-induced psychophysiological discomfort, lower blood pressure and heart rates, decrease stress hormone levels, reduce fatigue, and improve sleep quality [ 6 , 31 ]. A recently published article has indicated that chiropractic care or spinal manipulation can provide management for musculoskeletal disorders; however, the inappropriate information from social media and the internet provided by chiropractic regulatory agencies which claimed that it can enhance immunity to protect against COVID-19 should be strictly noted by healthcare providers [ 40 ]. One cross-sectional survey also indicated that massage, TCM, and chiropractic treatments can cause adverse side-effects [ 34 ].…”

The impact and public health response of chiropractors to the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey across four continents

“…Most chiropractors in our study identified recognised government agencies and professional bodies as their most trusted sources when seeking COVID-19 public health information. However, a smaller number of chiropractors have made claims on social media that chiropractic spinal manipulation reduces the adverse impact of COVID-19 [ 11 , 12 , 14 ], claims that appear to conflict with current clinical research evidence [ 51 , 52 ]. In response, leaders of the chiropractic research community [ 53 ], chiropractic regulatory bodies [ 15 , 16 ] and chiropractic professional associations [ 54 – 57 ] have made efforts to redress such claims within the profession.…”

“…Infection control standards for chiropractors vary according to country and specific jurisdictional mandates should be the best predictor of professional behaviour. However, limited information suggests chiropractors practising under a subluxation-based paradigm may hold different public health views to that of government health authorities and/or scientific consensus regarding COVID-19, including a belief that chiropractic adjustments (spinal manipulation) can boost the immune response to COVID-19 infection, improving protection against the disease [ 11 – 14 ].…”

A two-year follow-up: Twitter activity regarding misinformation about spinal manipulation, chiropractic care and boosting immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Included in these “immune-boosting” interventions is Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) [ 8 ]. Most commonly delivered by chiropractors in the management of musculoskeletal conditions, SMT is sometimes promoted as having systemic effects including the ability to boost immunity [ 9 ]. While there is evidence supporting the use of SMT as an intervention for low back pain and other MSK conditions [ 10 ], we are not aware of any robust evidence that SMT, nor a specific profession that provides SMT, creates a clinically meaningful improvement in the human immune system [ 11 , 12 ].…”