Weird - or - maybe not... I returned yesterday evening to TinnitusTalk to post a research update on the auditory impact of smoking. And upon returning, I see the tinnitus community has once again exploded into a pile of nonsense about whether chiropractors are quacks and whether the OP of this thread was dismissed due to being a vegan - as well as many other interjected topics that seem to pop up out of nowhere.
For sure, there is a potential link between tinnitus and dysfunctions of the spine. Besides the problems of the spine itself that may result from, say, poor posture, those same problems can - over time - result in the development of trigger points. Left untreated, that can actually cause some serious problems with pain, dizziness, mobility, and concentration. All that said, the chiropractic angle is likely to be the last to explore as a cause for (or treatment of) tinnitus. So generally, unless there is a strong suspicion for a significant involvement of the spine (e.g. from suffering a whiplash), then seeing a chiropractor is unlikely to be of much value for a condition such as tinnitus, and hence, I would say that Dr. Heidi Grant could hardly be considered a quack for refunding the consultation cost due to a feeling that she is not able to help the patient in this case. Actually she seems to be practicing responsible medicine if you ask me.
On a more general non-tinnitus related note, I fail to understand how some folks can doubt the value of chiropractic adjustments. Anyone who has suffered from a problem of the skeleton knows the huge pain-relief that can be found after seeing a chiropractor. But don't just take my word for it, attached is peer reviewed study on that titled:
"A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL COMPARING CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS TO MUSCLE RELAXANTS FOR SUBACUTE LOW BACK PAIN"
The conclusion reads:
"Conclusion: Chiropractic was more beneficial than placebo in reducing pain and more beneficial than either placebo or muscle relaxants in reducing GIS."
So by bringing a bit of proper information to this debate - something any of you could have chosen to do, hopefully for some of you, we can conclude (reliably) that chiropractors do add value (for the right medical conditions).
Now... returning to tinnitus: most of you should be well aware that there is a campaign taking place pertaining to tinnitus research and winning a sponsored conference:
The thread called "Put a Spotlight on Tinnitus Research" now has more than 5000 views. Yet, to date, I remain the only person who has posted in that thread (and I am even someone who has largely left this community). Right now, you guys are so busy discussing absolutely meaningless (not to mention impact-less) information on chiropractors. If I were you, I would probably invest some of that energy into making a difference for the campaign, because, in two months time, that research topic will be over and the train will have departed the station without you. So make it count while you can. "Just a thought" as they say...
Lastly, for some of you, I don't know what I should pity you most for: your tinnitus or your basic human ignorance.