Question
QUESTION: I attended a Women's Conference at which there were several exhibitors- one of which was a chiropractor who was offering free neck scans.  I was told that my scan revealed that 8 of the nerves in my neck are "blocked" and can lead to problems with internal organs. On the screen of the computer, 8 of the lines were the color black, and 2 others were red- I was told that white shows no restriction, green is light restriction in the nerves, red is serious restricion, and black is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately.  Can you please explain or verify these things to me?
Thank you!

ANSWER: No, I can't explain it, because there is no scientific basis for these claims.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I don't understand the answer- there is no scientific basis for what claim?  Is the neck scan not a valid test?  Should I be concerned and have another type of test done?

Answer
From a public health point of view, screening tests are always a double-edged sword. One must consider how reliable and valid the testing procedures are, and what proportion of false negatives (those who the test shows do not have a problem/disease but actually do) and false positives (those who a test shows have a problem/disease but actually don't) will result from those screening tests. That is to say, do the benefits of the screening procedure outweigh the risks of not having the screening procedure performed?

Electronic infrared thermography is purported to be a diagnostic procedure that measures skin temperature differences that some assert is necessary or helpful in the diagnosis of select neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. According to the American Chiropractic Association, High Resolution Infrared Imaging requires a high level of operator and interpreter competency and adherence to established and clinical protocol, and the results must be properly correlated with a thorough history, appropriate clinical examination, and other diagnostic tests or studies that may be clinically indicated.

In short, I am not aware of any good literature that attests to the validity of thermography as a screening or diagnostic procedure.

If you have a specific health concern, or are experiencing specific symptoms, I recommend seeing a chiropractor who adheres to a musculoskeletal-based treatment model, or consult your family physician.