The Laurie Jean Mathiason Inquest

Statements reported in the press by the Canadian Chiropractic Association denied that there were any deaths from this procedure. Later they qualified that by saying that there were no deaths in Canada.

Chiropractors are self-regulated in each Province, and in all 50 States. While some of these Colleges in Canada, or Boards of Examiners in the U.S. have their right to an opinion on the role of cervical (neck) manipulation, there is absolutely no standardization in either the U.S. or in Canada as to the actual reasons why anyone should be subjected to this method of treatment. Unfortunately for the patient, until the chiropractic professions stops hiding behind the "but our treatments never cause side effects, like the damage done by NSAIDs by medical doctors", patients will continue to be misled, ripped off, and possibly lose their life because of a minority of professionals who admit to no wrongs, ever, either here or in the after-life.

With a great deal of respect to most chiropractors, who promote health in their communties, some of their brothers and sisters in the healing arts, do not act responsibly. During the height of the meningitis epidemic in Waterloo County in 1998, a local chiro put a large street sign up to warn drivers that meningitis shots could be dangerous. The sign appeared on the front page of the paper, he was interviewed by radio and television, and he made enemies of doctors, parents, and many patients who could not believe their eyes and ears. It was a dreadful time in our community for all, and that chiropractor attempted to destroy the faith that we all had in our community health department. Was he ever disciplined by the Ontario College of Chiropractic?

A growing number of chiropractors in Canada, and in the States have jumped on the multi-level track to riches, and in some cases they have become cult figures. Where this puts their patients is a very large question. Are they patients, clients, or simply a target of a cult of pseudoscience or MLM rip-offs? The latest fads include bovine collagen weight loss products, live cell microscopy, and ear candling. Others delve into iridology or promote the belief that drinking urine might be a good therapeutic treatment for what ails you. One chiropractor in the Toronto area promotes the sale of long distance phone service through his web site.

Chiropractors who practice ethically, and traditionally, don't look very good in the press, when the public sees their brethren in that light.

Where are their regulatory bodies? In Ontario, the College of Chiropractors doesn't have their own web page to file complaints, or to learn about which chiropractors have lost their license, or which ones have been censured by their peers. In fact some of those chiropractors who might be practicing "on the edge", may very well be respected by their peers.

In the medical establishment, those who are persecuted because of their strange views and treatment programs often set up their own organizations and associations to legitimize their own agenda. In chiropractic practice, it's no different.

One of the most interesting, and frightening moves by some organized chiropractors in Canada and the U.S. is to introduce chiropractic into the delivery room. Some of them have treated pregnant woman, and claim to treat their own newborn infants in the first days of life. It's unfortunate that those patients who fall for this form of treatment have no protection in the event that their infants are injured, except of course in the court of law.

Recently, a chiropractor from Brantford, Ontario appeared on a regular Monday night interview show on Rogers 20 cable, claimed that some of his treatments resulted in miraculous cures, and incredible results, all flavoured with a messianic zeal? He, and other chiropractors have used their public and private platform to advance treatment for diseases without one shred of objective proof that those treatments work better than placebo.