Anyone know anything about ARMA?
The British Chiropractic Association website informs me that
The British Chiropractic Association is proud to be a member organisation of ARMA, the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance. ARMA is the UK umbrella association bringing together support groups, professional bodies and research organisations in the field of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. click here to go to the ARMA website
ARMA is also the UK National Action Network for the Bone & Joint Decade – an international multi-disciplinary initiative to improve the health-related quality of life for people with musculoskeletal conditions. click here to go to the website for the Bone & Joint Decade
There are some members of ARMA that are less controversial in what they do – the Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Forum and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists jump out at me, largely because I have relatives who are members of both.
I’m sure ARMA and the BCA are very well-intentioned; indeed, they have a call for information out for good practice in musculoskeletal services in line with ARMA’s care standardsat the moment. Unfortunately, they’re not looking out for instances of – shall we say – suboptimal efficiency.
The Overarching Principles of the Standards of Care (download as PDF) make interesting reading, especially A1
All people with musculoskeletal conditions should have fair access to appropriate treatments and health care services, with flexibility maintained to meet local and personal needs. Care and its delivery should reflect best practice, agreed guidelines and existing standards.
(my emphases).
Given that chiropractic remains, ahem, controversial, I do wonder if chiropractic is an appropriate partner for ARMA. As the redoutable Edzard Ernst put it,
Chiropractic is rooted in mystical concepts. This led to an internal conflict within the chiropractic profession, which continues today. Currently, there are two types of chiropractors: those religiously adhering to the gospel of its founding fathers and those open to change. The core concepts of chiropractic, subluxation and spinal manipulation, are not based on sound science. Back and neck pain are the domains of chiropractic but many chiropractors treat conditions other than musculoskeletal problems. With the possible exception of back pain, chiropractic spinal manipulation has not been shown to be effective for any medical condition. Manipulation is associated with frequent mild adverse effects and with serious complications of unknown incidence. Its cost-effectiveness has not been demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt. The concepts of chiropractic are not based on solid science and its therapeutic value has not been demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt.
From the abstract to this paper in the Journal of Pain and Sympton Management.
I wonder if the other members of ARMA would agree with Prof. Ernst’s assessment. In the meantime, does anyone know anything about ARMA or a group of which ARMA is a member, Bone and Joint Decade.
xD.
