VIS Scientific meaning of words versus public meaning

[Diane]

[Diane]

Too bad the term "correlation" is missing from the list.

[Diane]

It isn't good to allow meanings of terms to blur.

From Science-based Medicine: NCCAM manipulates spinal manipulation

Yet another example of CAM’s claiming “conventional” medicine as its own appeared in the form of NCCAM’s most recent Clinical Digest, which discusses CAM treatments for pain and mischaracterizes spinal manipulation as CAM.
(FYI, this edition of Clinical Digest also promotes acupuncture for pain, even though it doesn’t work, and co-opts exercise (tai chi) and relaxation as CAM, even when they aren’t.)
NCCAM’s categorization of spinal manipulation as CAM would surely come as a surprise to the orthopedic surgeons who prescribe it, the physical therapists who carry out those orders, and the M.D.s and D.O.s who themselves perform it. Spinal manipulation is a physical therapy employing a high velocity, low thrust technique whereby a joint (such as a spinal vertebra) is moved beyond its normal physiological range of motion. The primary purpose of the therapy is to create mobility in an otherwise tightened joint. While its mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is biologically plausible and has some evidence of effectiveness for certain types of back and neck pain. It is “conventional” medicine.