A general record of my ongoing battle with all forms of nonsense.

Friday 24 July 2009

56 Chiropractor Practices Still Holding Out With Colic Claims

The vast majority of BCA chiropractors have now removed their claims to treat colic as a result of my previous letters and the campaign by Zeno.

But still 56 practices still hold out, with the claims still available on their web site. I have listed the text of these claims below. It's a bit of a risk to actually list the practice names online. I will be putting the final revision of the letter online soon, once it's been checked by the legal folk.

In the meantime, please join the Facebook group so I will alert you when the letter is ready and we can begin accepting signatories.





Summary of Web Site


There is some evidence, though more research is needed, that you may see improvements in some types of:

Asthma
Headaches, including migraine
Infant colic


The use of these Specialist Techniques allows us to diagnose and treat a diverse spectrum of conditions. These range from headaches, sciatica and back pain to those conditions that people many not realise Chiropractic could help such as feeding and sleeping difficulties in babies, colic and dyspraxia. We are also able to treat conditions that affect women in pregnancy.


Here are some conditions and injuries we regularly treat:

Neck-, shoulder-, arm pain, Back-, hip-, thigh-, knee and lower leg pain, Sciatica, Pain in the wrists, hands and fingers, Pain in the ankles, feet and toes, Headache and Migraine, Face and Jaw pain (TMJ), Ear ache (Otitis media), Dizziness and Vertigo, Disc herniation (slipped discs), Joint sprains, Muscle strains, RSI, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, Bursitis, Coccydynia, Colic, Bedwetting (Nocturnal enuresis), Scoliosis, Tennis and Golfers Elbow, Sports injuries, Posture, Postural problems, Muscle Imbalances, Torticollis, Facet joint sprains, Sacroiliac joint sprains, Pelvic Dysfunction, Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Achilles Tendon Problems, Hamstring Problems, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Rib Pain, Lumbago, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Rheumatism, Spondylosis, Fibrositis, Osteoarthrits, Joint and Muscle pain


Many chiropractors regularly report success in treating babies with colic, cases of asthma and high blood pressure, digestive complaints, period pain and many other conditions which are not directly related to the spine and joints. As a result, researchers all over the world, including the Anglo European College of Chiropractic and the British College of Chiropractic are also investigating the effect chiropractic has on pain and disease in the organs of the body.


Although a natural process, birth is sometimes traumatic for both mother and baby, Chiropractic may help you and your baby recover from any birth trauma. Treatment aims to relieve the stress that can affect your baby's neck and head, especially if forceps or other medical assistance was involved, or if it was a breech birth. There is evidence to show that chiropractic care has helped children with the following symptoms:
Asthma
Bedwetting
Breathing difficulties
Colic
Frequent infections, especially in the ears
Hyperactivity
Prolonged crying
Sleep and feeding problems


Chiropractic care can help children with

asthma
colic
prolonged crying
sleeping and feeding problems
breathing difficulties
hyperactivity
bedwetting
frequent infections especially in the ears


Who should I consider recommending to a chiropractor?

There is strong research evidence in the literature for the benefit of chiropractic for:

Lower back pain
Neck pain
Whiplash type trauma in the absence of frank tissue damage.
Tension headaches
There is weaker evidence of benefit in:

Asthma
Digestive disorders
Migraine
Infantile colic
Menstrual pains


There is some evidence, though more research is needed, that you may see an improvement in some types of:

asthma
infant colic


Other Conditions also treated

Asthma
Digestive disorders
Migraine
Infant Colic
Menstrual Pains
Glue-ear


Because the aim of chiropractic treatment is to help your nervous system (that controls everything in your body including your immune system) to function properly, chiropractic treatment results in many positive effects througout your body. Chiropractic is certainly not a cure-all: instead it assists your body's own healing systems to do their job of keeping you healthy. So as well as being great for back pain, chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective at improving many problems including:

Back pain

Neck pain

Headaches and migraines

Pain in hips, buttocks & legs
(sciatica pain)

Tennis elbow

Whiplash

Degenerative arthritis pain

Disc degeneration

Herniated disc

Poor posture

Foot pain

Curvature of the spine
(scoliosis)

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Sports injuries

Tendonitis

Golfers elbow

Shoulder pain

Elbow, wrist, hand and finger pain

Fibromyalgia

Breathing problems

Ear infections

Colic

Back ache during pregnancy

Menstrual cramps

Workplace injuries

Breathing problems

Spondylosis


Many chiropractors regularly report success in treating babies with colic, cases of asthma and high blood pressure, digestive complaints, period pain and many other conditions which are not directly related to the spine and joints.


Many chiropractors regularly report success in treating cases of asthma, high blood pressure, digestive complaints, period pain, babies with colic and many other conditions, which may not be directly related to the spine and joints.


All ages can benefit from Chiropractic care - from infants just a couple of weeks old - suffering from colic - to people well into their nineties.


If your baby suffers from colic, there are a few things that you can do to help:

Seek regular chiropractic care, especially during the first four months.



There is some evidence, though more research is needed, that you may see improvements in some types of:

Asthma
Headaches, including migraine
Infant colic


...chiropractic adjustments.

Even so-called "natural" birthing methods can stress a still-developing spine.

The resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, unexplained crying, poor appetite, breathing problems, and allergic reactions can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine.

Head support, followed by crawling, and a baby's first few steps should be followed by chiropractic checkups. If neglected, the bumps and falls during this period of rapid growth may lead to serious spinal deformities later in life. This can set the stage for scoliosis, "growing pains," and a weakened immune system response.

Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit a child's size, weight, and unique spinal problem. Parents often report that their children seem healthier than other kids their age.

Many spinal problems seen in adults begin in childhood. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Do you know a child who could benefit from chiropractic care?


Why would a newborn get adjusted?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.


' Patients commonly present to chiropractors with conditions such as back and neck pain, sciatica, 'slipped discs', headaches and migraine, whiplash associated disorders, repetitive strain injuries (RSI), leg, arm or general joint pain etc. Other conditions that patients seek treatment for include asthma, digestive disorders (including infant colic), menstrual pains, sleeping problems etc. If in doubt about your particular condition, give me a call for a no obligation chat.'


What can chiropractic treat ?
There seems to be some confusion about exactly what chiropractic is and what it can do. Basically the aim is to balance and rectify the loss of normal function that has occurred to the spine or any other joint as a result of some form of trauma or prolonged bad posture. Many complaints can be linked to working at the computer, driving a car or even spending all day on the telephone not to mention bad lifting technique and back injuries brought on by lifting and twisting type actions.
Many symptoms can occur as a result: Headache - Shoulder Pain - Arm Pain - Tightness across the top of the Shoulders Reduced Neck Motion - Low Back Pain - Leg Pain - Reduced Trunk Flexibility - Infantile Colic – Cystitis.
If the spine cannot function properly it will start to cause pain and then the body has to adapt to function as best as it can.


Chiropractic care is suitable for all ages. Babies as young as a few days old can benefit from very gentle adjustments to help with colic and many other child related conditions. As we get older we need to retain our mobility and chiropractic care can help with this.


Is Chiropractic helpful and safe for the newborn baby?
Chiropractic is very safe and effective in treating the newborn baby. Conditions successfully treated are: colic, restlessness, enuresis, difficulty passing stool, and sleeping problems.


Many research projects show chiropractic care to be helpful for colic, ear infections, erratic sleeping habits, bedwetting, growing pains and many other common childhood health complaints.


Nina is completing her Post Graduate Master in Advanced Chiropractic Pediatrics and has successfully treated many common conditions from infantile colic to sleep disorders. She employs a 'utilization' approach to the uniqueness of each individual.


Why would a newborn get adjusted?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.


If your baby suffers from colic, there are a few things that you can do to help:

Seek regular chiropractic care, especially during the first four months.


Chiropractic treatment can help patients suffering from back pain, neck pain, headaches, disc injuries, trapped nerves, hip pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, sciatica, infantile colic, pregnancy related back pain, arthritis, scoliosis, sports injuries and many other painful conditions.


There is some evidence, though more research is needed, that you may see improvements in some types of:

Asthma
Headaches, including migraine
Infant colic


hiropractic is well known for the treatment of back, pelvic and leg complaints. It is less well known for the treatment of problems that arise in the shoulder and arms, like rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractors also often treat childhood conditions like colic, and those that are colloquially called 'growing pains' by some other medical clinicians.


We specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve, muscle and joint problems particularly relating to the spine and its effect on the nervous system.



Which means that the symptoms can be very varied.

The most common symptoms include back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headache and infantile colic, to mention a few.


Initially, I visited the Islington Chiropractic Clinic to have treatment for lower back pain which I suffered with during pregnancy. Since then, my children have also received treatment for various problems such as colic and sports injury. I can highly recommend the clinic as the reception staff are always polite, friendly and helpful. Also the Chiropractors have consistently provided us with a high level of care.


ITRM Chiropractic Clinic also likes to emphasize the importance of family care. Pregnant women, new born babies, and children will find great benefits from chiropractic care. In some cases chiropractic care has been shown to allow for an easier birth, lessen infantile colic and reduce bed wetting. Come along and enjoy our “Kids Zone” and convenient Baby Changing facilities.


Many chiropractors regularly report success in treating cases of asthma, high blood pressure, digestive complaints, period pain, babies with colic and many other conditions which may not be directly related to the spine and joints.


As an infant Marcus showed signs of what is often termed ‘colic’. He would cry and scream for hours, sometimes arching his back and neck and clenching his fists. Then during childhood Marcus suffered from severe headaches and neck pain. “I can still remember suffering with headaches and neck pain, I must have only been about seven years old. I would often be told off for constantly pushing on my head, trying to relieve my pain by myself!”

His father sought the advice and care of his own chiropractor, Dr Sidney Hudson-Cook, who explained that much of the damage to Marcus’ spine and head had been a result of his forceps delivery at birth. The chiropractic treatment was extremely effective, giving him continual relief. This left a lasting impression on Marcus inspiring him to pursue his studies.


Moulded Baby' due to intra-uterine constraint
by Tone Tellefsen Hughes DC, BSc, FCC (paeds). October 2006

Some babies appear to be born distressed. These babies are often brought into the Chiropractic office by worried and tired parents who, suspects a diagnosis of infantile colic and are looking for a magical cure.


What Can Chiropractic Help?

Millions have been helped with chiropractic.

Chiropractors have always had great results with muscle, joint and nerve problems throughout the body, including serious injuries like whiplash type pain, slipped discs, trapped nerves and arthritis.

However, chiropractic is more than just a great painkiller. As well as pain relief, many patients enjoy a greater sense of wellbeing with this common sense approach to healthcare. This long established approach of working with the body can have widespread benefits ranging from easing colic in babies to period pains and irritable bowel symptoms in adults.


Why would a newborn get adjusted?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.


Colic is a very disturbing and frustrating problem for many young babies (and their parents!). It is often linked to a neck and upper back problem and seems more common in babies where delivery was long or difficult or involved forceps. Colic babies often tend to turn their head to one side whenever they lie or sit in the car seat, and may only seem to feed well from one side.
Research suggest a better than 90% success rate with chiropractic treatment, which usually occurs within 3-4 treatments. The babies often enjoy being treated and having their neck massaged - and the parents enjoy getting a good night's sleep.


All kinds of problems can be helped by correcting spinal subluxations; back and leg pain, neck and arm pain, headaches and migraines, during pregnancy, babies with colic, children with ear infections, asthma, the list is long.

Rachel graduated for the AECC with a First class honours degree in chiropractic medicine. She has attended many soft tissue courses and her area of interest is in treating babies and children as well as pregnant women for back pain. Colic, ADHD and a whole host of childhood related conditions have been successfully dealt with by this exemplary practitioner. Rachel spent 7 years in practice in Greater London before joining the team here.


chiropractic adjustments.

Even so-called "natural" birthing methods can stress a still-developing spine.

The resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, unexplained crying, poor appetite, breathing problems, and allergic reactions can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine.

Head support, followed by crawling, and a baby's first few steps should be followed by chiropractic checkups. If neglected, the bumps and falls during this period of rapid growth may lead to serious spinal deformities later in life. This can set the stage for scoliosis, "growing pains," and a weakened immune system response.

Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit a child's size, weight, and unique spinal problem. Parents often report that their children seem healthier than other kids their age.

Many spinal problems seen in adults begin in childhood. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Do you know a child who could benefit from chiropractic care?


Many Chiropractors regularly report success in treating babies with colic, cases of asthma and high blood pressure, digestive complaints, period pains and many other conditions which are not directly related to the spine and joints.


We specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve, muscle and joint problems particularly relating to the spine and its effect on the nervous system.



Which means that the symptoms can be very varied.

The most common symptoms include back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headache and infantile colic, to mention a few.


Why would a newborn get adjusted?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.


If your baby suffers from colic, there are a few things that you can do to help:

Seek regular chiropractic care, especially during the first four months.




A great deal of problems can be corrected (and prevented) at an early age!!

Unfortunately, what many family health workers don't know is that many problems can be dealt with by a chiropractor early on in a child's life to help prevent complications developing in the future. If all babies and older children had their spines checked while they were still growing, there would be so many problems which would just never arise in later life. Chiropractors have a great deal of success with babies who suffer from colic and persistent crying.


If your baby suffers from colic, there are a few things that you can do to help:

Seek regular chiropractic care, especially during the first four months.


Why would a newborn get adjusted?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved


Is chiropractic suitable for children and infants?

Yes. We use gentle techniques on our younger patients to treat conditions such as colic, sleep and feeding problems, hyperactivity disorders and asthma.


Many of our patients arrive at the clinic with back pain, but you might be surprised to know that we can also help with many other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual pain, asthma, migraine, arthritis, and even colic in babies.


Chiropractic care can help solve a host of childhood problems such as;

asthma
sleep and feeding problems
breathing difficulties
hyperacticty
bedwetting
frequent infections
Infantile colic


Chiropractic is a non-invasive profession that looks to encourage the bodys natural ability to heal. It does not involve the use of medication or surgery while acknowledging there are situations where this may be ultimately necessary.

In this way it is appropriate care for aches and pains in pregnancy, for infantile problems such as colic and problems sleeping, and those stubborn niggles that have become constant pain with advancing age.


Chiropractors treat many conditions which at first may not appear to relate to the spine.
These include:
Headaches
Dizziness
Shoulder/arm pain
Hand/wrist pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Repetitive strain injury (R.S.I.)
Hip pain
Knee pain
Foot/ankle pain
Sciatica
Slipped disc
Pins and needles and numbness
Sports injuries
Whiplash
Colic/unexplained crying/poor sleep patterns in babies


There is some evidence, though more research is needed, that you may see improvements in some types of:

Asthma
Headaches, including migraine
Infant colic


Dear Paul,
We would like to thank you for the treatment you gave our baby daughter, Rebekah. We brought her to your Clinic when she was just six weeks old. She had suffered form terrible colic since birth and would cry constantly each night for at least three hours and there was absolutely nothing we could do to help her. We tried medicines recommended by the doctor and we tried lying her in certain positions but nothing worked.
When a friend suggested that we take Rebekah to a Chiropractic Clinic we were unsure what to do. However, after six weeks of torture (for Rebekah and us!) we thought that anything was worth a try. After the first treatment we saw favourable results almost immediately. After just three treatments the colic had gone.
Our only regret is that we didn't bring our son to you when he was a baby as he also suffered badly with colic. We will definitely recommend your Clinic to any parents who are going through the same difficulties we faced a few weeks ago.


Why would a newborn get adjusted?
Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.


New research now also suggests that other seemingly unrelated ailments can respond well to Chiropractic treatment including headaches, migraine, infantile colic, heartburn and dyspepsia.

8 comments:

Andy said...

Considering the oft-repeated defence that chiropractors "don't treat", there's an awful lot of "treat" and "treatment" contained in your table above.


Seek regular chiropractic care, especially during the first four months.

REGULAR during the FIRST FOUR MONTHS!!?? Wow!

And how useless would our bodily structures have to be if they could be manipulated using the pressure used to test a ripe tomato? Seriously? We'd be like rag dolls falling apart at every touch. Just hugging your baby could be lethal!

I wonder who carries out the spinal manipulation on all those poor creatures born, perfectly naturally, in the wild?

SkepticBarista said...

Nice to see teh follow up actions getting ready

As these are not on your list I'll send submit one, as they certainly imply they treat a range of kids ailments ... including colic !

http://www.chiropractic1st.co.uk/kids.htm

"Today we find more parents bring their children to chiropractors for day-to-day health concerns we're all familiar with: colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, infections, pains, falls, as well as hyperactivity disorders, nursing difficulties and the hundred and one little and big things children go through as they grow up."

Keep up the excellent work !!

Dale Williams said...

Great stuff. There's one not on your list here:

http://www.chatsworthchiro.co.uk/Chatsworth/F%26Q.html

I have already sent a letter to trading standards about these but have so far just had the standard "we'll look into it" letter.

Michael Kingsford Gray said...

You have my full support in your worthy campaign against woo, for what that is worth...

Simon said...

@Dale Williams. Did you send a TS complaint about ALL these, or about the one you mentioned? Either way, nice work.

davidp said...

It is noticible how many of these now couch it in terms of "some evidence" and "research". Others are still unapologetic

The GCC will accept complaints about these clinics - just lodge a complaint about each individual chiropractor listed by the clinic. The GCC code requires that any publicity on their behalf be ASA compliant, so each individual is in breach of the code. Zeno's 524 chiropractor complaint was done on this basis.

I think it is worth complaining about these sites, especially those not using weakening modifiers, because a) many of them are hard core quackery pushers and b) Zeno's complaint is more general, asking for evidence for all claims, whereas these claims have been specifically rejected by the ASA. I am not in the U.K. so I can't lodge a complaint myself.

Simon said...

@DavidP. Yes, I might give this a go. I've currently got 56 complaints logged with the GCC, but knowing that they rule against Chiropractors rather than practices I did not want to report practices with more than one chiropractor in case it made things complicated. Maybe this was wrong.

Dale Williams said...

@ Simon. Only the one I mentioned.