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Chiropractors and Vaccination

From the April issue of PEDIATRICS comes a very interesting article titled: Chiropractors and Vaccination: A Historical Perspective

An interesting point to note is that this is from the April issue of PEDIATRICS, and the topic is CHIROPRACTIC. Not a big deal until you notice that the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine also published an April issue discussing CHIROPRACTIC and added to that the fact that film crews were in chiropractic offices just this week here in Los Angeles in preparation for an upcoming television broadcast about chiropractic.

One would hope that a professional journal would present a well written and researched article but we cannot say that about the authors of the PEDIATRIC article. A mish-mosh of half truths and assumptions was made to appear credible by referencing select highlights.

The article makes the claim that subluxation is “rejected by medical science” but fails to recognize that chiropractic is a separate art, science an philosophy and has no relationship whatsoever to medicine.

The use of the terms “progressive” and “evidence-based” seem rather skewed since the article equates them with chiropractoid-type practitioners. Had the authors bothered to research, they would have found that the only evidence-based guidelines used in the chiropractic profession are the CCP Guidelines and that the focus of those guidelines is on the scientific correction of vertebral subluxation. These are peer reveived guidelines used in both the U.S. and Canada.

As far as progressive goes, chiropractors using computer technologies such as SEMG, online patient education materials (shameless plug), and other advanced methods of care and education may be considered not only progressive but revolutionary in the restoration and maintenance of health and well-being.

The article states that, “Chiropractic is the third largest regulated health care profession in North America” but we all know that chiropractic is the number one health care profession that promotes and establishes well-being in humankind.

The article questions the policy statements of both the ACA and the ICA in regards to vaccination and points out that the “Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), however, takes a more definitive stance.”

CCA Policy: “The CCA accepts vaccination as a cost-effective and clinically efficient public health preventive procedure for certain viral and microbial diseases, as demonstrated by the scientific community.”

Oh gee, they forgot to mention the Chiropractic Awareness Council (C.A.C.) and their policy statement regarding vaccination. Since the C.A.C. is based in Canada, it’s only fair we post it here.

The CHIROPRACTIC AWARENESS COUNCIL’S Policy on Vaccination

Final draft, October 22, 1999

The CAC acknowledges and respects the laws governing Freedom of Choice and Informed Consent. We recognize that vaccination is a matter of personal choice and that no vaccine should be administered without full disclosure of the inherent risks that each vaccine carries. No vaccine should be administered without informed consent of the individual or guardian, or should they ever be given using coercion. We further recognize as vital and choose to protect our responsibility as chiropractors, to make known to our community any and all valid information we determine may be relevant and necessary in this matter, to allow a fully informed choice by those who respect our voice.

The CAC acknowledges the growing body of scientific research suggesting any benefit conferred by vaccination is outweighed by the possibility of immediate catastrophic consequences which may include fatal reactions as well as long-term degenerative and immunosuppressive conditions with which vaccinations are often associated.

CAC Chiropractors, as drugless health care practitioners, recognize and honor the vitalistic principles of the innate ability of the body to self heal, self organize and self regulate, and therefore choose not to tamper with the immune system through the questionable application of vaccination.

(Thank you to the C.A.C. for providing us with this info in a “nanosecond.”)

On a personal note I will say this. Chiropractic adjustment has nothing to do with the issue of vaccination and for some odd reason, the authors of the article in PEDIATRICS fail to see that.

I believe the reason so many chiropractors are associated with the anti-vaccination issue is due to the fact that chiropractors are again, the leading profession that promotes and establishes well-being in humankind. As leaders, we have a responsibility to the patients and the communities in which we practice.

Well, the article is long and complex and I can assure you someone such as Dr. Christopher Kent of the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance would be better suited to point out the contradictions and flawed assumptions made throughout the article. (Look for an update on this one.)

Source: PEDIATRICS Chiropractors and Vaccination: A Historical Perspective

planetc1.com-news @ 9:33 am | Article ID: 956248424

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