# Let's talk about chiropractors **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 17, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783 "2005-04-17T19:00:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/41 "2005-04-18T17:28:27Z")
> [@guinnog](#): > > Really? Most dentists and vets here are neither MDs nor Doctors. What a curious notion! [ul][_]Doctor of Medicine[_]Doctor of Veterinary Medicine[_]Doctor of Dentistry[_]Doctor of Philosophy[\*]Doctor Demento[/ul]Only the first is a “Doctor”? (OK, I’ll give you the last one 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/42 "2005-04-18T18:15:16Z")
> [@E = mc²](#): > > Okay, you’re not a real doctor. What kind of doctor are you, please? My only “doctor” comes from my nickname- “DrDeth”. I know more that the “average bear” about health care, yes. But I am not a Doctor, I “only play one on this message board” 😛😃 Above, I am only paraphrasing several "home health care’ books. I am amoung the first to tell anyone that if you have any serious medical problems- or even MAY possibly have a serious medical problem- go see a real MD, tootsweet. Then- _follow his advice_. Don’t ask for or follow “medical advice” from a message board for any such ailments. The common cold, a cancer sore, mild back pain- the sort of thing that your Doc doesn’t want you to bother him with, and can’t really help much- well, maybe then. But still be careful. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/43 "2005-04-18T18:16:43Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Has it occured to you that the two events (treatment, then relief) may not be related, except in time? That your problem might have gone away without treatment? That you are assuming that since one followed the other, the first caused the second? > > This is known as a [Post-Hoc Fallacy,](http://skepdic.com/posthoc.html) my friend, and is why Chiropractic, at least the true-blue original Palmer Method, is a pseudoscience. About the only “proof” of any efficacy comes from testimonials like yours. Worthless from a scientific standpoint. Acceptable IMHO material, bad GQ. Fair enough. I’m not out to prove anything. Please refer to the following statement from the OP. I was responding to it. > [@](#): > > And if you would like to tell me if you think it’s worth going to a chiropractor, feel free to share. > Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/44 "2005-04-18T18:29:05Z")
> [@guinnog](#): > > Really? Most dentists and vets here are neither MDs nor Doctors. What a curious notion! In the United States, many health care providers have doctorate-level degrees: physician/surgeon: M.D. (doctor of medicine) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) dentist: D.D.S. (doctor of dental surgery) optometrist: D.O. (doctor of optometry) veterinarian: D.V.M. (doctor of veterinary medicine) podiatrist: D.P.M. (doctor of podiatric medicine) chiropractor: D.C. (doctor of chiropractic) Here, you won’t see these types practising with only bachelor’s degrees. In fact, I don’t think you can get a bachelor’s degree in medicine anywhere in the United States. It’s usual to address all such people as “doctor.” (We also make no distinctions between physicians and surgeons with regard to such courtesies. They get the same medical degrees anyway.) Almost all lawyers here also have doctorate degrees (J.D.: juris doctor), but it’s not usual to address them as “doctor.” And of course, people with Ph.D.'s are addressed as “doctor.” Members of the faculty may alternatively be addressed as “professor.” ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/45 "2005-04-18T18:30:41Z")
Oh, and even those with “doctor of divinity” degrees and other miscellaneous doctorates (Ed.D., Psych.D., etc.) are appropriately addressed as “doctor” here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/46 "2005-04-18T18:38:48Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Oh, and even those with “doctor of divinity” degrees and other miscellaneous doctorates (Ed.D., Psych.D., etc.) are appropriately addressed as “doctor” here. These last two are a subject of much controversy as to whether or not a PhD or Ed.D are to be addressed as “Doctor”. But certainly anyone with their Doctorate in anything Medical (or in _certain Churches_- Religion/Divinity) are to be addressed as “Doctor” here in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/47 "2005-04-18T18:41:32Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > These last two are a subject of much controversy as to whether or not a PhD or Ed.D are to be addressed as “Doctor”. You mean a D.D. and and Ed.D., right? I’ve never heard that it is controversial to address a Ph.D. as “doctor.” I’ve addressed every Ph.D. I’ve ever met since I was so high as “doctor,” (except my dad, of course). I thought that was the original source of “doctor” as a title. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/48 "2005-04-18T19:28:54Z")
> [@Captain Lance Murdoch](#): > > I’ve noticed a lot of them claim they can cure bedwetting as well. Does this make any sense? Someone mentioned this in another thread about chiropractors recently, so at my last visit I asked mine about it. He said that it is possible that a nervous system problem could cause someone to lose conscious control of their bladder, which was something he could help. If the problem was psychological, there wasn’t anything he could do. He also told me there was a patient he had who was having asthma attacks. Now, chiropractic adjustments can’t “cure” asthma. But if he’s adjusting him and opening up his ribcage so that he can breathe better and isn’t having asthma attacks anymore, what would you call it? I don’t know what the requirements are in order to practice, but mine has a BS in Sports Medicine, a Doctorate in Chiropractic, and is a certified personal trainer. I swear by it, but have little more than anecdotal evidence to back it up. Just for shits and giggles, [here’s my chiropractor’s website.](http://www.dr-alex.com/index.html) I’m sure someone will be along shortly to rip it apart. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/49 "2005-04-18T19:32:30Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > I think the biggest beef I have with chiropractors is that unlike doctors who’s main interest is to cure you of your ailment, > chiropractors seem intent on making you a regular who needs continual ‘adjustments’ every few weeks or so. > If I have a problem I would like to be fully healed of that problem. I don’t want to become a ‘client’ that needs regular adjustments to fix the pain. > I don’t think you’ll ever hear a chiropractor say “your all fixed, you don’t need to come back to see me unless you have some other problem.” I have and I’ve only ever seen one. What are the odds? Actually, she said,“_If you’ll fathfully do your pt exercises_ your all fixed and shouldn’t need to come back to see me unless you have some other problem.” ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/50 "2005-04-18T19:34:21Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > You mean a D.D. and and Ed.D., right? I’ve never heard that it is controversial to address a Ph.D. as “doctor.” I’ve addressed every Ph.D. I’ve ever met since I was so high as “doctor,” (except my dad, of course). I thought that was the original source of “doctor” as a title. According to Asimov, it is the source. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/51 "2005-04-18T19:36:49Z")
If you want a doctor with some of the knowledge a chiropractor has, look for a D.O. They train in a path that’s slightly more new age and has a whee bit of chiropractic thrown in. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/52 "2005-04-18T19:55:00Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#): > > The chiropractor’s “subuxation” is no where even close to the medical definition of spondylosis. The chiropractor’s _subluxation_ is the same as the MD’s _spondolisthesis_. Sorry for the error. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/53 "2005-04-18T20:00:59Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > addendum - both also told me I had one leg shorter than the other and should wear a lift in one shoe (I had for a while after the chiropractor told me to, and had fallen out of the habit). Chiropractor tells **everyone** that. I’ve never met anyone yet who went to a chiropractor and haven’t been told this. It’s a wonder we’re not all walking around in circles. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/54 "2005-04-18T20:01:35Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > Chiropractor tells **everyone** that. I’ve never met anyone yet who went to a chiropractor and haven’t been told this. > > It’s a wonder we’re not all walking around in circles. I wasn’t told that. That’s one. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/55 "2005-04-18T20:19:14Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Now, chiropractic adjustments can’t “cure” asthma. But if he’s adjusting him and opening up his ribcage so that he can breathe better and isn’t having asthma attacks anymore, what would you call it? I’d call it “the placebo effect.” Opening up his ribcage??? Seriously? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/56 "2005-04-18T20:29:03Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > I’d call it “the placebo effect.” If that’s the case, then there’s an awful lot of people suffering from the placebo effect after getting an adjustment. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/57 "2005-04-18T20:32:52Z")
And yes, I’m aware that was an _argumentum ad populum_. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/58 "2005-04-18T20:33:19Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > addendum - both also told me I had one leg shorter than the other and should wear a lift in one shoe (I had for a while after the chiropractor told me to, and had fallen out of the habit). > > And can you get one of those electrostim machines to use at home? He told you to wear a habit, too? Actually, practically everyone has one leg shorter than the other, but if it is only a fraction of an inch, it really doesn’t matter. For that matter, if you run on the shoulders of the roads, the inside leg is artificially shorter than the outside leg. Few people have a problem with this. ---
**Author:** ![ParadoxMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@ParadoxMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParadoxMan)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/59 "2005-04-18T20:48:57Z")
I believe that chiropractors get away with calling themselves doctors not because of their degree but because instead have “physician” status under federal law and by tradition. All chiropractors I’ve even heard of (even those told to me by my grandfather born in 1902) have always referred to themselves as doctors. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783/60 "2005-04-18T21:17:03Z")
Chiropractors talk of “subluxation” and/or “life forces” that are blocked or something by misaligned skeletal systems. I don’t follow that reasoning, but what it all boils down to is that, supposedly, there are a myriad of medical problems that are caused by misaligned skeletal systems, be it one leg shorter than the other, improper curvature of the spine, rib cages being too tight and so on and so forth. It also seems that nearly everyone who ever visits a chiropractor is diagnosed as having some sort of misalignment. But can anything in the actual scientific world (JAMA, NEJOM) verify this overwhelming epidemic of misaligned skeletal systems? Can it demonstrated that the plethora of aliments attributed to these seemingly endemic skeletal disorders are actually caused by them? There is no reason to place more confidence in this assessment than in the idea that imbalances in the four humors cause illness. Chiropractors treat their patients by manipulating their skeletal systems. Can they really do this? Can they loosen someone’s ribcage by pushing on it? Can they lengthen someone’s leg by pushing on the spine? Please. If the diagnosis is bunk and the treatment is also bunk, then the whole thing is crap. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-chiropractors/299783.md?page=4)