Chiropractors divided on controversial treatments involving babies dangled by their feet
Chiropractors are divided over controversial treatments involving babies being dangled by their feet, with a war of words breaking out between advocates and those who say it’s tarnishing the profession.
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Chiropractors are divided over controversial treatments involving babies being dangled by their feet, with a war of words breaking out between advocates and those who say it’s tarnishing the profession.
Dr Andrew Arnold was condemned by the health minister and professional bodies after the Herald Sun exposed a video of him “adjusting” a two-week-old baby.
But the Chiro Classifieds Australia Facebook posts were divided with some members outraged at his cowboy treatment slurring the entire profession and others supporting the practice but lamenting he allowed it be filmed.
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The group has been inundated with messages since Wednesday, with one member saying their business lost a new client due to the “reckless: practitioner’s video.
“And my new patient (baby) for tomorrow just cancelled. Running a paeds practice this s*** constantly affects my business and I don’t do any of this stuff,” a furious member wrote.
Other members agreed they were sick of careless behaviour impacting the entire profession.
“ … He is flat-out, out of line. We work our a**** off to gain a respectable reputation, and cowboy behaviour affects everyone. He let his ego get the better here,” a commenter said.
Another wrote: “We are all sick of this type of behaviour from chiros … Sorry no sympathy at all. We now all have to deal with the backlash from this individual’s actions.”
One chiropractic clinic in Melbourne’s northeast also posted in the group, saying: “It’s becoming exhausting. Idiots within the chiropractic profession making it very hard for those of us trying to do the best we can for our patients while trying to stay within the AHPRA guidelines.”
Some questioned the practice of Dr Arnold, saying they would never hold a baby by its feet.
“ … It’s not something I would ever do. Parents are scared enough to visit a chiro as it is — and you can assess the same thing and demonstrate it to a parent easily with the baby lying flat on the table comfortably,” a comment read.
However, some group members are supporting the controversial practitioner and believe the only mistake was sharing the video with the public.
“It’s not even that bad but to the layman it looks horrible. Just don’t put this s*** online, especially in the age of professional outrage merchants. FFS,” a practitioner wrote.
Another wrote: “It should have not been put on Facebook. We have been told over and over again not to make ill informed claims.”
One group member said there were reasons why procedures shouldn’t be posted to social media.
“There is a reason why surgeons don’t post a c-sect on their FB page.”
“There’s a reason we shouldn’t put patient visit videos online … it looks really bad to the layperson, even the gentle stuff.”
While another commenter said: “Correct me if I am wrong. It looks like that the tests were done fairly gently. I was however not quite impressed with the casualness of adjusting tool usage.”
Another group member drew inspiration from Harry Potter character, Albus Dumbledore, in an attempt to unite the group.
“I feel like a right prat quoting this but Dumbledore said it …. in times of division we must stick together Harry. If a kids book can spell it (haha see what I did there), then as educated adults we MUST stick together, differing opinions or otherwise,” he said.
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