Chiropractic Chalkboard

A definition problem exists about what is meant by alternative medicine. For example, this survey reported that chiropractic procedures were used by more than 40 percent of the respondents. These procedures have undergone a scientific validation process by others, using the examination of past clinical research studies for efficacy of treatment outcome for low-back pain. The conclusion was that chiropractic procedures were effective, i.e., they reduced low-back pain, so how alternative is chiropractic manipulation for this medical condition?

John Spencer, PhD
Wayne Jonas, MD
Office of Alternative Medicine
National Institutes of Health