November 2006

Oregon board warns of questionable ads

The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners is cracking down on ads that tout a spinal traction device as a “NASA medical breakthrough,” with seemingly no evidence to back that claim.

Chiropractors nationwide have been advertising the device as a back-pain treatment that is derived from space research and is 86 percent successful. In Oregon, between six and 12 chiropractors have run these ads, estimated Dave McTeague, the board’s executive director.

The board issued about using ads that cannot be backed by published research and reminded chiropractors that its rules also prohibit advertising success rates.

“The board is concerned about high-pressure marketing to potential patients using questionable claims,” the warning said.

McTeague said the warning covers only advertising. The board has not taken an official opinion on the treatment itself.

Source: The Oregonian, www.oregonlive.com

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