This has been one hell of a spring and as we slink into the summer it seems the rancor in the profession is heating up as well. We are no longer a drugless profession, nothing other than musculoskeletal claims can now be made, the "united profession" has taken up the role of physician as a national legislative priority and rumors are that the state regulatory bodies in the US are working on defining chiropractic in a whole new light. 

In what will no doubt become a major historical event in the history of the chiropractic profession the United Kingdom's General Chiropractic Council has declared that there is no research to support the vertebral subluxation  as a cause of health concerns.

Some are heralding it as the death of the subluxation.

It appears that following the Simon Singh case and the release of the Bronfort Report numerous complaints have been filed against chiropractors for claims being made other than those on the short list allowed in the Bronfort Report.

The GCC made the subluxation statement in a response to an enquiry by a member of the public. In addition to the statement about subluxation and health concerns the GCC stated that subluxation was "...synonymous with joint misalignment, joint dysfunction, facet syndrome and articular derangement."

There is certainly no mention of the imprisoned impulse!

Keep in mind that the GCC made this statement after consulting with the chiropractic educational programs in that country.

It appears that these institutions teach subluxation within a historical context - i.e. we used to believe...

You know - like we used to beleive the earth was flat.

I trust everyone understands the significance of the GCC making such a public statement.

Still don't think the sky really is falling?         

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

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