Tik Tok Chiropractors: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

More and more, we see patients asking us questions that begin with, “Have you seen that chiropractor on Tik Tok?” The question will usually be followed by a description of a chiropractic technique that is, let’s say, unusual. While some information on platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube can be both entertaining and useful, some social media posters focus on simply grabbing your attention. How can you tell the difference between information on social media about chiropractic that is reliable, as opposed to advice that should make you skeptical?

First and foremost, if you visit a chiropractor that you trust, the best way to decide if a particular post contains accurate information is to simply ask your provider.  We welcome these kinds of questions! They open the door to discussions that help our patients understand what we do and how we can help them become healthier.  One fact to consider when evaluating information on social media is the origin of the post.  Each province and state has their own unique legislation as it relates to chiropractic practice.  Although there are many similarities across jurisdictions in North America, there are some important differences in terms of chiropractic education and permissible techniques.  You are more likely to find relevant information about chiropractic on social media channels that originate in Canada.  Another fact to consider is whether or not you can cross reference the information.  Is the advice supported by multiple sources, or is the poster a real outlier?  Social media can be a great way to share innovative ideas, but it’s been our experience that, more often than not, these outlier opinions related to chiropractic are simply not supported by the best available evidence.  It’s important to note that chiropractors do use a variety of techniques to help patients, so there will always be some diversity of opinion.  The important thing to consider is whether that opinion about a certain type of treatment is logical and supported by evidence.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one particular technique that generates more questions than any other.  Several social media chiropractors in the southern US use a form of cervical traction that involves a sudden pull applied to the neck using a towel or strap.  Stretching the neck along the length of the spine can be beneficial to open up the space between the vertebrae, freeing up pinched nerves and creating more mobility.  But the sudden force like the one seen in these videos is not something we were ever taught at chiropractic college.  While there isn’t any evidence that this type of aggressive treatment increases the risk of serious adverse events affecting the bones, nerves and blood vessels of the neck, it is our opinion that it can increase the risk of sprain/strain type injuries.  I am sure that some of the patients in these videos have experienced some tremendous relief from this type of traction, but we don’t really feel comfortable exposing our patients to the added risk, however slight.  We prefer to deliver traction in a slow, controlled way that maximizes therapeutic benefit and minimizes the risk of any muscle or ligament injury.

Keep some of these thoughts in mind the next time you see a chiropractor on social media!