"Historically, power complexes begin to falter long before the ruling elite realizes that the oppressed are organizing."

William B. Ferril, MD

I know its cliche - but just when you thought the General Chiropractic Council could not make more bizarre statements than they have already made - they provide more giggles and grins.

But beyond the giggles and grins, the actions being taken by the GCC are serious and have serious repercussions for those practicing in the United Kingdom and indeed throughout the world.

In a response to a letter written to the GCC asking them to reconsider the errors of their ways as well as evidence contradicting their "Guidance" on vertebral subluxation, the GCC opined that after further consideration by the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic that:

"...there is, in fact, no evidence for support of this concept."

The "concept" at issue being that there is a relationship between subluxation and health concerns. 

But then they take the public display of their ignorance of these matters one step further and state:

"Again, the only way to definitively show if the putative spinal lesion has health promoting effects and is as dangerous as some claim is through clinical trials using randomized controlled design."

First, they should get someone to proofread their stuff since I don't know anyone who is claiming that subluxations actually improve health. And second, anyone even remotely familiar with research methodology at this point should know that RCT's are not the only way to determine correlations such as these. Further, the GCC should also know that you cannot "definitively show" anything. All you can do is show varying levels of correlations, probabilities etc. You can never prove causation as any first year biostats student can tell you.   

Scientism at its finest - or should I say worst since they can't even seem to get the science right.

The bottom line is that the Golden Rule prevails here - He with the most gold - rules. And since the GCC has the gold in the way of the annual registration fees of the practicing chiropractors in the UK - they have the money to promote (ahem - enforce) their agenda.

Let's hope and pray for all our sakes and the sick and suffering patients we serve, that the oppressed chiropractors in the UK are indeed organizing.

Additional Links on the GCC Controversy: 

• GCC Correspondence with FSCO
• GCC Guidance on Subluxation
• Analysis of GCC Statement by Christopher Kent DC, JD
• The Bronfort Report
• British Chiropractic Association Statement on Subluxation
• Dangers of the Quack Therapy of Chiropractic
• GCC Advice from European Schools
• The Death of the Subluxation
• GCC Guidance on Vertebral Subluxation - Letter to Public 
• Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation Response to GCC
• The Ridding of Philosophy in Chiropractic Educational Programs

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH

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