April 15, 2005 – The evidence for the effectiveness of chiropractic for children and adolescents is said to be rather slim, according to a study that reviewed the scientific data on the subject1.
The authors’ conclusion is based on the compilation of 166 studies published before 2004. They all aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulations in the treatment of pediatric problems such as colic, asthma, allergies and ear infections. However, very little research has focused on large groups of patients in which a control group has been included. The vast majority of research is rather called “descriptive”, that is to say research where one simply observes the effect of a treatment on a disease for a determined period of time, without having a comparison group.
Should we conclude, however, that chiropractic is ineffective in treating pediatric problems? “The study in question was not intended to draw a conclusion of this kind,” says Claudine Blanchet, of the Lucie and Andrée Chagnon Chair for the advancement of an integral approach to health at Laval University. “Rather, it gives a good idea of the research that has been done. We can see that for the most part, these are pilot projects carried out on a small number of patients. “
It might be surprising that none of the studies looked at neuromusculoskeletal disorders. In adults, back pain and neck pain are the main reasons for seeing a chiropractor. The majority of the evidence relates to these problems. According to DD Chantal Pinard, chiropractor, children and adolescents sometimes consult for neuromusculoskeletal disorders, but more often they do so for other health problems, such as colic and ear infections, or for prevention, with interesting results. According to the principles of chiropractic, a subluxation of the vertebrae can cause several diseases.
Moreover, DD Pinard wishes to point out “that no complaint concerning an adverse effect of chiropractic treatment carried out in pediatrics has been filed with the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec since its founding in 1973”.
Recall that in February 2002, the Canadian Pediatric Society had already published a document aimed at informing physicians of the lack of scientific evidence to justify the procedures performed by chiropractors in children and adolescents.2.
Marie-Michèle Mantha – PasseportSanté.net
1. Gotlib A and Rupert R. Evaluating the Evidence Supporting the Use of Chiropractic Manipulation in Pediatric Health Disorders: A Systematic Review. Pediatric Child Health, vol 10, no 3, March 2005.
2. Spigelblatt L. Chiropractic Care for Children: Controversies and Contentious Points. Paediatr Child Health, vol 7, no 2, February 2002.
