Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Jeffrey Needham - Chiropractor - Featured in a Book!

One of Sarnia's very own, chiropractor Jeffrey Needham, is featured in a book!

Spin Doctors: The Chiropractic Industry Under Examination

Unfortunately for Jeffrey Needham, the information doesn't put him in a favourable light.  Much of what Jeffrey Needham had on his website (http://www.needhamfamilychiro.com/) was blatantly false.  To this day, there is still substantial amounts of "suspect" information.

Following the "Chiropractic Information" link, in the very first paragraph on Jeffrey's website you will come across:
People who suffered from migraine headaches profess "Chiropractic is for headaches". People with low back pain may tell you "chiropractic is for low back pain" The same applies for those who suffer from digestive problems, asthma, back and neck pain, sciatica, colds and colic.
Jeffrey is attempting to avoid further complaints about his false advertising.  Jeffrey (and all chiropractors) can't claim that chiropractic is for colds, colic, asthma, digestive problems, migraines or the like - because it isn't.  If the science supported such claims, Jeffrey wouldn't be making such veiled suggestions - he would be referring to the evidence to support the claim.

There are studies that show there is no evidence to support the use of chiropractic in the treatment of asthma, colic1, allergies, digestive problems and a myriad of other 'illnesses'. 

Following the first paragraph, Jeffrey Needham quickly jumps to subluxations - something that a group of chiropractors could not consistently identify (because they don't exist?) but which has also been denounced by chiropractic organizations.

What is more troubling, however, is Jeffrey Needham's goal in treating children.  The science doesn't support the activity and the potential harm is real.

Congratulations Jeffrey!  We look forward to future books/articles about you.  You make Sarnia proud.

1 You will have to register with the BMJ to get the full article.  The clinical bottom line is stated as: The evidence suggests that chiropractic has no benefit over placebo in the treatment of infantile colic. However, there is good evidence that taking a colicky infant to a chiropractor will result in fewer reported hours of colic by the parents.
 

1 comment:

Kevin said...

defining chiropractic is like defining god. neither are sensible propositions and any clear definition is easily dismissed with simple argument.