The Chiropractic Board of Australia has finally issued a statement directed at its practitioners who are ‘not toeing the line’.

The Board said it was particularly concerned about the number of claims in advertising relating to the treatment of infants and children.

“Claims suggesting that manual therapy for spinal problems can assist with general wellness and/or benefit a variety of paediatric syndromes and organic conditions are not supported by satisfactory evidence,” the statement said.

This included claims relating to developmental and behavioural disorders, ADHD, autistic spectrum disorders, asthma, infantile colic, bedwetting, ear infections and digestive problems.

Chiropractors should also not display, promote or provide materials, information or advice that is anti-vaccination in nature and should not make public comment discouraging vaccination.

Chair of the Board Dr Wayne Minter said the board’s position was unequivocal – false and misleading advertising was unacceptable.

‘Chiropractors must ensure they are doing the right thing in their practice and in their advertising. They must adhere to the requirements of the law and the Board’s standards, codes and guidelines. There is no place for complacency. We are writing to all chiropractors in Australia to make sure they are aware of this statement released today,’ he said.

The statement comes two months after experts called for The Chiropractic Board of Australia to be sacked because of “its consistent failure to protect the public from misleading and deceptive conduct by practitioners.” (Read full story here.)