Chiropractors Oppose Informed Consent Regulations

I just spent two days watching and listening to the testimony being given to the Connecticut Chiropractic Board where advocates for chiropractors strenuously oppose any regulation that would require they obtain written consent from their patients before giving neck manipulations. 

Chiropractors refuse to be bound by any regulation that would require that they give adequate information about the risk or association of stroke to the therapy they administer.  Their biggest argument is that they don't want to be singled out.

Speaking on behalf of the victims of chiropractic, Ms. Mathiason had the room near tears as she recounted her experience of running into the chiropractor's office to find her 20 year old daughter lying on the chiropractor's table after having neck manipulation, seizing from the stroke that would take her life a few day later. They had no idea that the treatment could cause such massive harm. Several others were planning to speak but because of procedural issues between the lawyers, their testimony has been put over for the next session. 

It surprises me how the chiropractic industry has kept this risk quiet for so long. It surprises me even more that they don't realize that they are on the wrong side of this issue. By accepting the overwhelming weight of medical literature and by stepping in line with the rest of the medical world, chiropractors could help their profession gain some needed credibility. Patient safety must always come first, no matter what.