Morgoth, on 29 November 2016 - 09:16 AM, said:
In other words, it has little more going for it than homeopathy.
My previous doctor referred me to a chiropractor when I injured my lower back, and considering what it cost I decided to study up on the subject first. I did give it a shot, and in a way it is pleasant, like a massage I guess, but it provided no difference for me. The placebo effect is weaker if you don't believe in it, after all.
I haven't read them but apparently there is some research to suggest that chiropractors can help to reduce lower back pain with the potential to address the issue without ongoing treatment. However, for anything more than that it's almost completely anecdotal. I have no problem with people engaging in complimentary and alternative medicines if they wish to. I do have an issue with those CAM making false or unsubstantiated claims though. I also have a massive issue with people choosing to employ CAM methods instead of conventional (evidence based) medical treatment for their children (yet another mother is being charged for using CAM treatment to treat her child. The child died of strep. Strep.).
Matador often needs to discuss CAM with patients who say they prefer to treat their issue with homeopathy etc. He usually informs them about how there is no evidence to suggest these things work and that there is no regulation of the claims practitioners make. People are actually usually surprised because they just assume it's illegal to lie about these things so they must be true.
It's like that joke doctors make - What do you call a complimentary or alternative medicine that is supported by evidence, research, and clinical trials? Conventional medicine.