A so called "debate" on vertebral subluxation was held at the recent chiropractic educational conference held by the controlling factions of the Chiropractic Cartel: The World Federation of Chiropractic, the Association of Chiropractic Colleges and the American Chiropractic Association. Every few years this faction of the profession makes an attempt to disparage vertebral subluxation and those who practice in a subluxation model by trotting out its long list of Subluxation Deniers.
This year was no different.
David Newell, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Anglo European College of Chiropractic, made a number of unsubstantiated claims and engaged in logical fallacies that would shock even the casual observer. As an example, Newell made the statement:
"The subluxation as vitalistic concept, an impediment in and of itself to health and well being, impeding the expression of higher intelligence is not only entirely bereft of any evidence whatsoever but is a complete non starter even as a scientific question."
In his presentation, Newell claimed that what is dangerous about the use of vertebral subluxation are concepts and behavior associated with its use. Newell stated that subluxations are used by some in the profession to "scare or misinform patients" and gave the following examples of claims he has issues with:
- You cannot be healthy with them
- They will lead to serious disease
- Chiropractors are the only ones that can help
- A chiropractic manipulation is unique
- You need to come back for the rest of your life
- You need to bring your children otherwise they will not develop properly
Newell claimed that such statements are "confusing, un-evidenced and detrimental to our standing as a profession in the outside world" and that "at worse, sometimes used to justify approaches to care and practice models that are unacceptable both inside and outside of the profession."
Newell did not elaborate on what approaches to care or practice models he was referring to, but continued his tirade against his perceived threat to public health stating vertebral subluxation and the concepts attached to it are:
". . . used to generate dependancy through fear or coercion. Here, use of such words and concepts essentially as smoke screens for a model of care dominated by a coercive business ethic are strongly reputationally damaging and are not OK."
In his wide ranging disparagment of the vitalistic, subluxation focused faction of the profession Newell further claimed that the concept of " . . . subluxation as an impediment to innate intelligence is bereft of science and evidence" and that ". . . this approach will be inadmissible to characterise a modern healthcare profession. Describing the profession in such language will further isolate and marginalise."
Newell claimed that subluxation "as an idea" would be understandable if it were not for better explanations related to what practioners see in practice. "The irony" he states ". . . is of course that there are much better explanations, concepts and terms. Much of what is seen in practice can be explained by sound science and scientific language and so a subluxation model isn't even needed."
He went on to enage in further expressions of logical fallacies by stating:
"Even on a simple level, science has yet to answer questions as to what a subluxation is as a defined entity, can it be validly and reliably identified, can it be validly and reliably shown to have gone post manipulation and is such disappearance associated with meaningful clinical change in patients."
In reality, there is a rich evidence base that demonstrates the validity and reliability of numerous methods of measurements focused on the various components of vertebral subluxation as well as evidence demonstrating reduction or correction of it with resulting positive health outcomes.
Unfortunately, most simply go along with statements such as Newell's either out of ignorance, simple aquiesence or collegiality.
Imagine the plight of students in a chiropractic program being exposed to Newell's dogma, scientism and denial of even the existence of vertebral subluxation. That he is even given a stage and an audience is a failure of leadership within the ranks of those who purport to embrace the vitalistic concept of vertebral subluxation.
We laugh and mock those who contend the Earth is flat, yet Subluxation Deniers are given voice by schools and politcal organizations along with a role in determining the subluxation research agenda. And its the leadership on the traditional, conservative side of the profession that does this - as evidenced by his even being entertained at an educational conference billed as the largest and most important gathering of chiropractic educators and researchers.
Not a single objection to his, or any other Deniers, participation by the leadership in the vitalistic faction. In fact, quite the opposite - he was given the opportunity to spew his Flat Earth nonsense to a wide audience who educate the future of this profession.
Imagine a meeting at NASA where a Flat Earther is given a voice and a vote on the Mars Mission.
This was and is a failure of leadership within the vitalistic, conservative, traditional faction of the chiropractic profession.
