Once again chiropractors who focus their practice on the management of vertebral subluxation, take x-rays to evaluate the biomechanical intergrety of the spine and offer their patients affordable long term care options are under attack. This time it’s not from the controlling cartel of the chiropractic profession but from self proclaimed “integrative medicine pioneer” Andrew Weil MD.

In a response from a reader asking his opinion about chiropractic, the esteemed Dr. Weil advises against all of the above. But of course, if you have back pain a chiropractor may be able to help you opines the good internet doctor.

This isn’t the first time Weil has bashed subluxation based chiropractic. He immortalized his negative views in one of his books. I was told he apologized for the comments in his book several years ago when he was invited to speak at Parker – either the story wasn’t true or the apology was insincere since he obviously still holds these opinions.

What is so disturbing to me is that Weil cloaks his recommendations about chiropractic on evidence – as if he actually reviewed any before making his proclamation. And worse still is what one finds from just a cursory review of his website. Chock full of one claim after another about a whole host of remedies mostly substituting pharmaceutical products for whatever he is legally allowed to sell off his website.

In one section he promises “Achieve Optimum Wellness in 8 Weeks!” Eight weeks? Optimum wellness? Eight weeks? Really? I fully admit I did not do a literature search to see if Weil has any published evidence that those following his plan are actually achieving “optimum wellness” in 8 weeks, but if it’s out there I would love to see it.

And certainly the good Dr. Weil wouldn’t recommend anything that isn’t based on evidence as he dutifully points out in the code of integrative medicine practitioners on his website:

Practitioners of integrative medicine use less invasive, less expensive, and more natural treatments whenever possible, but they neither reject conventional therapies nor accept alternative ones uncritically. Instead, they are taught that good medicine is based in good science, that it is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.

Do as I say not as I do when it comes to chiropractic, eh Dr. Weil?

In his response to the reader Weil describes chiropractic as just another form of manual medicine and that we originally  focused entirely on the spine and the "notion" of subluxations. He tells his readers that this notion “…is now dated” and that we now concentrate on all manner of pain relief – where he believes chiropractic may be of real value . One thing’s for sure – he agrees with the controlling cartel of the profession on that one.

Then the warnings begin from our newfound expert on all things chiropractic. He tells readers they should stop chiropractic if they don’t feel better after “...a few sessions…” or “…two weeks of treatment…” and that you should seek help elsewhere. Now where is his lofty advice about “integrative medicine” and “communication” here? Why not suggest talking to your chiropractor about why you are not improving? Worse still is his fairly plain insinuation that the chiropractor wouldn’t be addressing these issues in the first place. We must not know how to determine whether or not a patient is responding to our care so the patient has to figure it out for themselves. I highly doubt Weil would suggest a patient simply stop taking their medication and “go somewhere else” if they were not improving under an MD’s care.

And make sure you “…avoid the routine use of x-ray’s by chiropractors to diagnose spinal misalignment” admonishes Weil. As if to say -  go to a chiropractor instead who randomly, grossly manipulates your spine without looking to make sure you have something worth manipulating or what direction it needs to be manipulated in. Ah yes, short term, gross spinal manipulative therapy to fire off mechanoreceptors and block pain signals. Stay away from specific chiropractic adjustments to reduce vertebral subluxation as demonstrated by x-ray and objective assessment.   

And of course he doesn’t recommend chiropractic for people with serious bone problems, osteoporosis, infections, cancer etc.

Osteoporosis?

That’s leaves out most of the populations of Florida, Southern California and Arizona! Watch out all you chiropractors adjusting grandma – Weil does not approve.

It’s amazing that for someone who is supposed to be an expert in integrative health care that Weil doesn’t get the role of chiropractic and a properly functioning nervous system regardless of the presence or absence of disease. I suppose Weil hasn’t fully adopted the inside out approach – can’t sell too many potions on that philosophy I guess.

Finally, Weil points out the reports of rare complications that have been reported from chiropractic and states these are from the “traditional, high pressure, low speed manipulation.”

Low speed?

More evidence of his ignorance about chiropractic methods.    

Lastly, when looking for a chiropractor Weil advises choosing one with a degree and one who doesn’t try and lock you into long term treatment or asks you to sign a contract.

Well, I have my own advice for those considering any of Dr. Weil’s treatments, potions, lotions, elixers or assorted wellness plans.

First, if you have health problems or just want to be well and are seeking an alternative, consider actually going to see a doctor or health provider in person as opposed to using one trying to treat you over the internet! Weil has no secret or magic formula for health that other providers don’t possess. 

And for every pill, potion, lotion, elixir and wellness plan you consider buying from him – ask him to show you the evidence from peer reviewed, randomized, double blind, clinically controlled trials that it is safe and effective. If he can’t produce it – then take a placebo and save your money.

As always I look forward to your comments, feedback and suggestions.

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
matthewmccoy@comcast.net
Editor - Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic
http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.net