The practice is called chiropractic and its origins date back centuries. Over the years, it has gained notorious popularity. Particularly in the United States, where there are established colleges for training and government regulatory bodies to regulate practices. Regardless, it has remained controversial and its relevance to patient care remains disputed. This is because chiropractic is not based on science, but on belief. While the manoeuvres appear to address musculoskeletal problems, especially chronic back pain and neck pain, chiropractors claim their practice can take care of visceral diseases. There is no convincing proof of this. Yet, practitioners continue to push for the practice’s recognition as an alternative medicine.

Meanwhile, practitioners of alternative medicine in the country have continually advanced the narrative that it is more beneficial than orthodox medicine. Particularly popular is the narrative that orthodox medicine is a form of neocolonialism. Moreover, the failure of the healthcare system has made these alternatives, regardless of the evidence, appealing to the population.

Even popular thought leaders promote these erroneous claims. Furthermore, practitioners of alternative medicine have a cunny for marketing. Whether in the car pack or on television or Facebook, they are able to reach the psyche of the audience and push a narrative that sells their product. Because for most of them, this is, first and foremost, a business.

The commonest form of alternative medicine in Nigeria is herbal medicine. Undoubtedly, herbs are medicinal, and humans have used them, albeit in different forms, across civilisations and cultures. Yet, the use of herbal concoctions has been linked with chronic health problems, including kidney and liver diseases. Studies have shown that it was more likely that one would seek a chiropractor’s services if one was not covered by insurance, disgruntled with the healthcare system or had a distrust of hospitals than an orthopaedic surgeon.

Despite the fact that chiropractic can lead to comparably more complications than may be reasonably expected from orthodox interventions. This unpredictable form of care is what has heightened distrust in alternative medicine practices by orthodox medicine professionals and policy makers, as well as encouraged the proliferation of quackery in the country.

As globalisation deepens, practices like chiropractic will become more popular. There is a need to review the practices of chiropractic when it is still in the early phases in order to ensure safe, ethically correct practices.

First, media depiction of procedures in standard medical environments is largely conservative and should remain so to protect the client’s privacy enshrined in the fundamental principle of autonomy and non-maleficence. This includes commercialisation of recordings of patients when undergoing treatments. A popular plastic surgeon in the United States was disbarred following these infringements.

It is also important to regulate professionals’ conduct and practices. One of the practitioners in one of the videos on TikTok referred to himself as a doctor (there is currently no approved doctoral programme in chiropractic by the Nigerian University Commission in Nigeria).

A population which assumes a man in a hospital is a doctor, even if his job is ward attendant, or a woman is a nurse, even if she is a consultant neurosurgeon, is susceptible to misrepresentation from people who disguise themselves as professionals. Action must be taken to prevent the proliferation of quacks. Even with formally trained chiropractors in the US, the risks of the practice remain significant.

The government has the responsibility to ensure that patients receive the best care available and to ensure that patients’ interests and safety remain the focus of the health sector.

Alternative medicine is here to stay, and sentiments will always influence perspectives and receptions. Yet, policymakers must ensure that things are done right, scientifically based and research-proven. Regulations must be put in place to guide the ethical practice of chiropractic. Also, the government should seek to create a formal role for them in the sector. Furthermore, stakeholders must embrace attitudinal change and be open to the possibility of the practice becoming a part of the healthcare system. This way, training and practice can be regulated, andthe  safety of patients can be guaranteed.

Joshua Opanike is a medical doctor in Nigeria. He can be contacted via [email protected]

Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of TheCable.