Misinformation, chiropractic, and the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: In March 2020, the World Health Organization elevated the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic to a pandemic and called for urgent and aggressive action worldwide. Public health experts have communicated clear and emphatic strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hygiene rules and social distancing practices have been implemented by entire populations, including 'stay-at-home' orders in many countries. The long-term health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet known.

Main text: During this time of crisis, some chiropractors made claims on social media that chiropractic treatment can prevent or impact COVID-19. The rationale for these claims is that spinal manipulation can impact the nervous system and thus improve immunity. These beliefs often stem from nineteenth-century chiropractic concepts. We are aware of no clinically relevant scientific evidence to support such statements. We explored the internet and social media to collect examples of misinformation from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand regarding the impact of chiropractic treatment on immune function. We discuss the potential harm resulting from these claims and explore the role of chiropractors, teaching institutions, accrediting agencies, and legislative bodies.

Conclusions: Members of the chiropractic profession share a collective responsibility to act in the best interests of patients and public health. We hope that all chiropractic stakeholders will view the COVID-19 pandemic as a call to action to eliminate the unethical and potentially dangerous claims made by chiropractors who practise outside the boundaries of scientific evidence.

Keywords: Chiropractors; Covid-19; Debate; Infodemic; Professional traditionalism; Spinal manipulation.

Fig. 1

An overview of the social media and internet origins as well as the countries from where claims originated from chiropractors that adjustments are beneficial in the prevention of COVID-19

Fig. 2

Examples that chiropractic adjustment will boost the immune system

Fig. 3

Examples of referring claims to old chiropractic concepts: a healthy immune system requires a healthy spine

Fig. 4

An example of referring claims that chiropractic adjustment boosts the immune system to a specific scientific paper

Fig. 5

Example of claiming that people receiving chiropractic care during the 1918 pandemic were less likely to die

Fig. 6

An example of referring to “evidence”

Fig. 7

An example of claims stating: it is not about the germ, it’s about the immune system. This poster has been withdrawn. Not due to misleading information, but because” it was used outside the practise”

Fig. 8

An example of claiming to boost immunity without any reference to evidence

Fig. 9

The claim that effects of COVID-19 stress on the unborn baby may be alleviated by chiropractic care