ChiroFutures Responds to Attacks on the Chiropractic Care of Children

ATLANTA, Georgia – July 25, 2019 

The chiropractic care of children has been the subject of increased media attention and scrutiny following decisions by chiropractic regulatory boards in Europe, Australia and Canada. These decisions were not based on science, research or data but rather a purposeful misrepresentation of the concept of evidence informed practice and its application coupled with compelled speech. 

As with the chiropractic care of adults, an evidence informed perspective respects the needs and wants of parents for the care of their child, the published research evidence and the clinical expertise of chiropractors in the care of children. 

ChiroFutures Malpractice Program does not base its malpractice insurance rates on the age of the patients a chiropractor sees.  In fact, we are not aware of any actuarial data showing an increase in adverse events from the tens of millions of pediatric chiropractic visits per year. The vast majority of claims or incidents alleging chiropractic negligence involve adult patients.   

What chiropractors do is minimally invasive and typically nothing else but their hands are used to gently ease any obstruction to the functioning of the patient's nervous system. Since the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body it is important to be sure it is functioning as best it can with no obstructions and no matter the disease afflicting the patient. 

State and provincial laws, federal governments, international, national and state chiropractic organizations and chiropractic educational institutions all support the role and responsibility of chiropractors in the management of children's health. The rationale for chiropractic care of children is supported by published protocols that are safe, efficacious, and valid. The scientific literature is sufficiently supportive of the usefulness of these protocols in regard to the chiropractic care of children. 

Those contending that there is no evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of the chiropractic care of children demonstrate a complete disregard for the evidence and scientific facts related to the chiropractic care of children. 

ChiroFutures encourages and supports a shared decision making process between doctors and patients regarding health needs. As a part of that process, patients have a right to be informed about the state of their health as well as the risks, benefits and alternatives related to care. Any restriction on that dialogue or compelled statements inconsistent with the doctrine of informed consent present a threat to public health.