Canada’s Chiropractors, Patient Safety and COVID-19

As the national association representing Canada’s chiropractic profession, our primary responsibility is to protect the health and welfare of our patients. At times of uncertainty, we strive to provide the most accurate, evidence-based information and guidance available.

COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Its rapid spread is challenging health systems across the globe. Patients need to feel confident in the information being provided by their health care professionals. Here in Canada, federal and provincial agencies are collaborating to manage the situation, reduce spread, and provide Canadians with the most up-to-date and accurate information.

In an effort to support our practitioners and their patients, the Canadian Chiropractic Association has provided guidance to members on where to access the most up-to-date, reliable and trusted information to ensure their safety as well as the safety of their patients and staff.

Canada’s chiropractors are primary contact health providers who deal with patients every day, including many with serious health conditions. As health professionals, we take our responsibility seriously. Every day, we balance various factors to practice in a way that is appropriate for individual patients.

Chiropractors are committed to observing universally accepted public health practices such as frequent hand washing, screening for patients who are experiencing flu like symptoms or may have travelled internationally, and employing rigorous clinic cleaning protocols to support containment efforts and to protect our patients.

We would be remiss to ignore the rise of misinformation at this difficult time. While we firmly believe in the efficacy and benefits of chiropractic care in supporting the health of Canadians, there is no scientific evidence that supports claims of a meaningful boost in immune function from chiropractic adjustments.

Currently, there is no cure for COVID-19. We have advised chiropractors to direct patients who have concerns about COVID-19 to trusted sources of information like the Government of Canada, the World Health Organization – as well provincial government and local/regional government public health experts, as well as their family physicians. We have reiterated that the public’s best protection to limit the spread of COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene, infection control, social distancing and adherence to the ongoing recommendations of government medical and public health leaders.