January 2008

Chiropractic 'victims' group expands ad campaign to Mass.

The Chiropractic Stroke Awareness Group (CSAG) has expanded its outdoor advertising campaign to Massachusetts, saying the move is "in response to requests by people injured by chiropractic treatment in that state."

The group, which seeks to associate chiropractic with the risk of stroke, started its campaign in 2005 with a billboard blaring the message: "WARNING: Chiropractic Adjustments Can Kill or Permanently Disable You" and the group's website URL, www.neck911.com.

The original billboard was covered up after one day, thanks to pressure put on the billboard leasing company by state chiropractors as well as national organizations such as the World Chiropractic Alliance.

The group continued its campaign via other media, including large poster ads on buses and print ads in a variety of local and national newspapers. Recently, it announced that also launched a television campaign.

Starting December 2, motorists driving along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I‑90) in Chicopee, Mass., passed a billboard asking the question "have you been injured by a chiropractor?" A second billboard will go up along the Turnpike in Springfield shortly, the group announced.

"The billboards are part of an ongoing public service effort (including television and print advertising) designed to raise public awareness about the potentially severe health risks of chiropractic treatment and to reach people in need of support," a CSAG press release explained.

"Victims of chiropractic treatment in Massachusetts who've been following our efforts in neighboring Connecticut want to start their own awareness campaign," said Amanda Thompson of CSAG. "They've been supportive of our legislative efforts and so we're helping them kick things off by placing ads on these billboards."

CSAG says it has experienced "tremendous success" with its efforts in Connecticut. "Television commercials, billboards, bus ads and newspaper placements ‑‑ along with sustained news coverage ‑‑ have all combined to produce a tidal wave of response from victims and non‑victims alike," it claims.

"This is really just the start," Thompson said. "We are receiving inquiries from across the US and now anticipate replicating this effort in many other regions in the coming months."

The WCA has taken strong measures ‑‑ including public education efforts and legal action ‑‑ to counter the inaccurate and fear‑laden message put forth by this and similar groups.

"We have worked hard to give the public complete information, including results of numerous scientific research studies," stated WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, DC, "Anyone who sees these reports will understand that chiropractic is extremely safe, far safer than medical treatment and that the risk of a stroke caused by a chiropractic adjustment is incredibly small."

Dr. Rondberg urged all doctors and chiropractic supporters to donate to the Chiropractic Anti‑Defamation Fund, which provides the financial means to continue fighting against the actions of such groups as the CSAG, as well as other attacks on the right of chiropractors to practice freely.

For more information about or to make a contribution to the Chiropractic Anti‑Defamation Fund, visit the WCA website at www.worldchiropracticalliance.org . The site also provides a wealth of information, including the WCA position paper, press releases, research abstracts, and related articles that DCs can use to educate and reassure patients.