Parents should never allow their children's spines to be x-rayed by a chiropractor. Chiropractors, by virtue of their education, government licensure, regulation and nationally established clinical practice guidelines, are competent in the use of diagnostic x-ray examinations for children when clinically necessary. With respect to practice guidelines we refer you to the guidelines for Diagnostic Imaging from the CCA's Clinical Guidelines for Chiropractic Practice in Canada. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever that the so-called chiropractic spinal adjustment results in any correction to a child's spine. These adjustments are ineffective and useless.
Literature supports that manipulation for neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions is effective.
School boards should not authorize and parents should not allow their children to attend elementary school screening programs organized by chiropractors to detect scoliosis or any other posture deformities in children. Posture deformities of children such as scoliosis, kyphosis or unequal leg lengths are not effectively treated by manipulation. In the great majority of instances, what a chiropractor may diagnose as scoliosis in a child is in fact a minor variation of a perfectly normal spine. Elementary school screening programs in Canada for scoliosis and other postural abnormalities have been conducted by different groups of health professionals, including chiropractors and nurses. These programs are all conducted in a similar manner regardless of the health professional involved.