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Sometimes on social media I get shown videos of chiropractors practicing on babies which looks really scary. If there's such a high risk factor I don't understa

Sometimes on social media I get shown videos of chiropractors practicing on babies which looks really scary. If there's such a high risk factor I don't understand how it can remain legal and not be scrutinized more closely. As for the field as a whole, I don't fully know what to make of it. My understanding is that some fairly large and prominent companies (think Fortune 100) keep multiple chiropractors on retainer for their employee's benefit. Is it possible that there's something of value there which isn't fully understood or are these companies just acting irrationally? Worded a bit differently: if it's a scam, why are so many big companies paying for these services?

xnyan 3y ago
Chiropractors are basically dangerous and overpriced massage therapists who pretend to be doctors (complete with their own brand of pseudoscience) to ape the legitimacy of real medicine. Massage feels great, but many people feel uncomfortable about it, or don't take it seriously because the provider is not wearing a white coat, or there's no clear "science" behind it. Chiropractors don't massage you see, they correct your subluxations (which are totally real and not made up) with the application of pressure to the body. People walk away from a treatment feeling good, and Chiropractors leverage that to convince them that their services are more that what they are, strange and somewhat risky massage therapy. While magical beliefs (misalignment of your bones causes literally all problems with your health) are still common, the industry learned to be careful about what legally relevant claims they make and generally represent themselves as a kind of physical therapist that can help you with back pain. Because of this (and lots of lobbying dollars) they have gained real legitimacy in the legal/medical sense and can even get reimbursed by insurance for their services. TLDR: they get hired because people like them, and they've built a passible veneer of legitimacy.
- sixstringtheory 3y ago
  > they correct your subluxations > misalignment of your bones causes literally all problems with your health Sounds like scientologist anatomy
kaba0 3y ago
> My understanding is that some fairly large and prominent companies (think Fortune 100) keep multiple chiropractors If their employees want that service mostly, they give them that service. The same way insurance will often include it, even though it is useless. If people are willing to pay for it, they won’t turn down good money.

xnyan 3y ago

Chiropractors are basically dangerous and overpriced massage therapists who pretend to be doctors (complete with their own brand of pseudoscience) to ape the legitimacy of real medicine. Massage feels great, but many people feel uncomfortable about it, or don't take it seriously because the provider is not wearing a white coat, or there's no clear "science" behind it. Chiropractors don't massage you see, they correct your subluxations (which are totally real and not made up) with the application of pressure to the body. People walk away from a treatment feeling good, and Chiropractors leverage that to convince them that their services are more that what they are, strange and somewhat risky massage therapy. While magical beliefs (misalignment of your bones causes literally all problems with your health) are still common, the industry learned to be careful about what legally relevant claims they make and generally represent themselves as a kind of physical therapist that can help you with back pain. Because of this (and lots of lobbying dollars) they have gained real legitimacy in the legal/medical sense and can even get reimbursed by insurance for their services. TLDR: they get hired because people like them, and they've built a passible veneer of legitimacy.

sixstringtheory 3y ago
> they correct your subluxations > misalignment of your bones causes literally all problems with your health Sounds like scientologist anatomy

kaba0 3y ago

> My understanding is that some fairly large and prominent companies (think Fortune 100) keep multiple chiropractors If their employees want that service mostly, they give them that service. The same way insurance will often include it, even though it is useless. If people are willing to pay for it, they won’t turn down good money.