The Manga Report

Does the Manga Report really prove that chiropractic works?

Some chiropractors cite the Manga Report as proof that chiropractic works. Critics deny that it proves any such thing. Who's right?

Before getting into the Manga report, let me remind you of the basic issue:

Most chiropracters claim that chiropractic is a effective method of promoting heath. That is, they make the following two claims:

1. They claim that, using appropriate chiropractic techniques, a qualified chiropracter can generate beneficial changes (such as relief of low-back pain) that were produced by the application of chiropractic methods to the client's body, and not by other processes well-known to medicine.

2. They claim that these beneficial changes could not have been so easily generated by non-chiropractic methods, such as non-chiropractic manipulation or other massage, and C. represent a significant improvement in the client's health.

Critics of chiropractic claim that this never happens, chiropractic theory is not supported by evidence, that applying specifically chiropractic methods to someone's spine produces no improvements in health. They do not rule out the possibility that people enjoy visiting chiropractors, or that they may feel better after visiting an chiropractor. They just deny that chiropractic really produces health improvements.

Your basic task for this topic is to answer the following questions the best you can.
1. What exactly is the theory of chiropractic?
2. How can chiropractors support this theory?
3. How can critics of chiropractic undermine chiropractic theory?
4. How well is the claim that chiropractic works supported by the best evidence and arguments available to you right now?

Your essay should explain your reasoning clearly and completely. It should not simply give a list of reasons that happen to support your opinion. Instead, it should carefully explain and critique the logic of what you take to be the one or two most important arguments on both sides of the issue.

Here are some relevant pro chiropractic articles.

Anti Chiropractic sites

Analysis of Misleading Chiropractic Testimony to the Institute of Medicine's "CAM" Committee Stephen Barrett, MD
NCAHF Fact Sheet on Chiropractic (2001)

Page defending Manga and Chiropractic against Shekelle and Consumer Reports: http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/1994/jul/jul1994b.htm
Another page defending chiropractic: http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=41317
Same article on different page: http://www.toyourhealth.com/

Related pages

Chiropractic Does the Bad Outweigh the Good A chiropractor defends and criticizes chiropractic.

Victims of Chiropractic (Anti-Chiro)

Related Questions

chiropracticrand

chiromanipulation

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