英文：Benefits and Risks of a Chiropractor
中文：脊椎指压治疗的利与弊
📰 来源：The New York Times 📅 日期：2026.6.2
📝 词数：约780 words ⭐ 难度：★★★★☆
第一段：脊椎指压治疗的主流化
英文原文
There was a time when chiropractors were considered modern-day snake oil salesmen. The reputation might have something to do with the profession's founder, D.D. Palmer, who claimed to cure a janitor of his deafness by popping a neck bone back into place in the late 1800s. The profession has since become more mainstream: roughly 11 percent of American adults saw a chiropractor in 2022, mainly for pain management. Chiropractic are are covered by many major US health systems. National guidelines for back pain often recognize chiropractic adjustments as a first line of treatment.
中文翻译
曾几何时，脊椎指压治疗师被视为现代江湖骗子。这一污名或许与该职业的创始人D.D.帕尔默有关—他声称在19世纪末通过将一块颈椎骨复位，治好了一名门卫的耳聋。如今，脊椎指压治疗已越来越走向主流：2022年，约11%的美国成年人看过脊椎指压治疗师，主要用于疼痛管理。脊椎指压治疗已被许多美国主要医疗系统纳入保障范围。腰背痛的国家诊疗指南也常将脊椎调整列为一线治疗方案。
第二段：治疗范围与循证争议
英文原文
Still, the profession hasn't entirely shed its anti-establishment roots, or fully shaken its reputation for straying from the science. Others sell expensive supplements with unproven benefits. The American Chiropractic Association says that a minority of providers diverge from evidence-based practices, though critics of the industry say it's more common. To practice in the United States, chiropractors typically attend a four-year program where they take courses in basic science as well as lifestyle and nutrition counseling. They also learn how to perform manual adjustments, which involve putting pressure onto the joints and creating a deep stretch in the tiny muscles that connect the spine's vertebrae. Chiropractors can do depends on where they practice. For example, in Oregon chiropractors are legally allowed to deliver babies and perform very minor surgeries like sutures and removing skin tags.
中文翻译
然而，该职业并未完全摆脱其反主流的历史根源，也未能彻底消除偏离科学的负面印象。一些治疗师还向患者兜售疗效未经证实的昂贵补充剂。美国脊椎指压治疗协会表示，只有少数从业者偏离循证实践，但行业批评者认为这种情况更为普遍。在美国执业的脊椎指压治疗师通常需要完成四年制培训课程，学习基础科学知识以及生活方式和营养咨询。他们还要学习如何进行手法调整，即对关节施压，并对连接脊椎骨的微小肌肉进行深度牵拉。脊椎指压治疗师的执业范围因州而异，例如，俄勒冈州的脊椎指压治疗师在法律上被允许接生婴儿，并实施缝合、去除皮肤标签等小型外科手术。
第三段：腰背痛的治疗证据与疗效局限
英文原文
There's robust evidence that shows chiropractic adjustments can be mildly to moderately effective at managing lower back pain, said Christine Goertz, a professor of musculoskeletal research at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and a licensed chiropractor. An analysis of 47 randomized controlled trials determined that manual manipulation was equally effective as treatments like acupuncture or massage therapy. And the risk of side effects are low compared with some other common interventions, like anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections. Fractures or other serious complications from spinal manipulation are possible but rare, occurring in roughly 1 per 2 million manipulations, according to one study.
中文翻译
杜克大学临床研究所肌肉骨骼研究教授、持牌脊椎指压治疗师克里斯汀·戈尔茨表示，有充分证据表明，脊椎调整在缓解腰背痛方面能发挥轻度到中度的疗效。一项对47项随机对照试验的分析显示，手法操作与针灸或按摩治疗同样有效。与抗炎药物和皮质类固醇注射等常见干预手段相比，脊椎调整的副作用风险较低。骨折或其他因脊柱操作引发的严重并发症虽然存在，但极为罕见—据一项研究，约每200万次操作中才发生一次。
第四段：颈部操作风险与研究局限
英文原文
Some doctors advise against manipulating the neck because of the potential risk of arterial dissection, in which vessels that supply blood to the brain are torn. This can lead to stroke or death. There are still many gaps in the research on chiropractic treatment, including on its use among children. There is also no rigorous evidence that supports claims about using it to treat conditions like colic, asthma and infection, Dr. Goertz said. Timothy Caulfield, who studies health misinformation at the University of Alberta, argued that the potential for physical harm from chiropractic care is not the only factor to consider. He pointed to vocal anti-vaccine sentiment among some chiropractors, which he said could help fuel distrust in the medical establishment.
中文翻译
一些医生建议避免颈部操作，因为存在动脉夹层的潜在风险—即向大脑供血的血管发生撕裂，可能导致中风甚至死亡。脊椎指压治疗的研究目前仍存在许多空白，包括其在儿童群体中的应用。戈尔茨博士表示，也没有严格的证据支持其可用于治疗肠绞痛、哮喘和感染等疾病的说法。阿尔伯塔大学健康错误信息研究学者蒂莫西·考尔菲尔德认为，脊椎指压治疗的潜在身体伤害并非唯一需要考量的因素。他指出，部分脊椎治疗师公开持反疫苗立场，这可能进一步加剧公众对主流医学体系的不信任。
第五段：就诊建议与理性消费
英文原文
"There are other kinds of broader, social harms," he said. While some chiropractors stick closely to their training and offer care that is supported by scientific research, others veer toward unproven treatments. "We tend to be much more, let's say, diverse than many other health care fields," Mr. Lauretti said. If you're looking for an evidence-based chiropractor, start by evaluating the kinds of statements the provider is making on their website or in advertisements. Claims of miraculous cures should raise concern, especially if it is marketing care for conditions that are not musculoskeletal. While some patients need ongoing care, you should be wary if a chiropractor tried to sign you up for a subscription or a series of appointments at the first visit. Some chiropractors sell their own supplements or herbal remedies directly to patients. This isn't necessarily a deal breaker, Mr. Lauretti said. For example, he sometimes recommends calcium pills to patients to protect against osteoporosis. But you should be skeptical of pricey pills with purported benefits that seem too good to be true.
中文翻译
"还有其他更广泛的社会危害，"他说。尽管部分脊椎指压治疗师严格遵循专业训练，提供有科学研究支持的治疗，但另一些则倾向于推广未经证实的疗法。"与许多其他医疗领域相比，我们这个行业的多样性要大得多，"劳雷蒂先生说。如果你希望找到一位遵循循证实践的脊椎治疗师，不妨先评估其网站或广告中的措辞—宣称"神奇治愈"的内容应当引起警惕，尤其是当其营销的治疗对象并非肌肉骨骼问题时。虽然部分患者确实需要持续护理，但如果治疗师在初次就诊时就试图让你订购套餐或预约一系列课程，应保持警惕。一些脊椎治疗师会直接向患者销售自制的补充剂或草药产品，劳雷蒂先生表示这不一定是问题所在—例如他有时会建议患者服用钙片预防骨质疏松。但对于那些价格不菲、声称功效惊人的产品，应保持理性怀疑。
📚 词汇词组
1. chiropractic /ˌkaɪrəˈpræktɪk/ adj./n.
① 脊椎指压治疗的 ② 脊椎指压治疗（学）
例句：Chiropractic care is increasingly recognized as a legitimate treatment for back pain.
2. mainstream /ˈmeɪnstriːm/ adj./n.
① 主流的 ② 主流，大众群体
例句：Yoga has become mainstream in Western countries over the past two decades.
3. manipulation /məˌnɪpjuˈleɪʃn/ n.
① （医疗）手法操作，推拿 ② 操控，操纵
例句：Spinal manipulation requires specialized training to be performed safely.
4. musculoskeletal /ˌmʌskjʊləʊˈskelɪtl/ adj.
① 肌肉骨骼的 ② 运动系统的
例句：Musculoskeletal disorders are a common reason people seek chiropractic treatment.
5. arterial dissection /ɑːˈtɪəriəl dɪˈsekʃn/ n.
① 动脉夹层（血管撕裂） ② 动脉解剖
例句：Cervical manipulation carries a small risk of arterial dissection, which can lead to stroke.
6. rigorous /ˈrɪɡərəs/ adj.
① 严格的，严谨的 ② 彻底的，全面的
例句：There is no rigorous scientific evidence to support the use of homeopathic remedies.
7. veer /vɪər/ v.
① 转向，偏转 ② 偏离，背离
例句：Some practitioners veer away from evidence-based medicine toward unproven treatments.
8. skeptical /ˈskeptɪkl/ adj.
① 持怀疑态度的 ② 不轻信的
例句：Consumers should be skeptical of health products that promise miraculous results.
✍️ 写作句总结
原句
While some chiropractors stick closely to their training and offer care that is supported by scientific research, others veer toward unproven treatments.
结构抽象
While some X stick closely to their training and offer [things] that are supported by [evidence], others veer toward [unproven/problematic alternatives].
造句示范
While some financial advisers stick closely to their professional standards and recommend portfolios that are supported by long-term data, others veer toward high-risk speculative products that benefit only themselves.
长难句分析
While some chiropractors stick closely to their training and offer care that is supported by scientific research, others veer toward unproven treatments.
主干：句子由 while 引导的让步/对比从句 + 主句构成，构成鲜明对比 主句主语 = others 谓语 = veer toward 宾语 = unproven treatments
让步/对比状语从句：While some chiropractors stick closely to their training and offer care that is supported by scientific research 通过 while 引入对照群体，突显行业内部的分化
定语从句：that is supported by scientific research 修饰 care，强调"以科学研究为支撑"的治疗
理解要点：stick closely to（严格遵循）与 veer toward（偏向/偏离）形成动态对比，是描述行业/群体内部分化的经典写法；veer 通常含有"偏离正轨"的隐含语义，适合雅思/托福议论文用于表达批判性观点
📝 阅读理解
题目：According to the article, which of the following statements about chiropractic treatment is CORRECT?
A. Chiropractic adjustments have been scientifically proven to cure asthma and infections in children. B. Spinal manipulation carries the same level of risk as corticosteroid injections. C. Manual manipulation has been found to be as effective as acupuncture or massage therapy for lower back pain. D. All chiropractors are required by law to follow evidence-based practices in every U.S. state.
答案解析
✅ 正确答案：C
❌ 选项A：错误。文章明确指出，没有严格证据支持脊椎指压治疗用于治疗肠绞痛、哮喘和感染，尤其是在儿童中的应用研究仍存在空白。
❌ 选项B：错误。文章恰恰相反—指出与皮质类固醇注射等干预相比，脊椎操作的副作用风险更低。
✅ 选项C：正确。文章中明确提到一项对47项随机对照试验的分析表明，手法操作与针灸或按摩治疗同样有效（equally effective）。
❌ 选项D：错误。文章指出，不同州对脊椎指压治疗师的执业范围规定各不相同，且美国脊椎指压治疗协会也承认有少数从业者偏离循证实践，并无全国强制要求。
📖 全文概括
中文段落大意
第一段：介绍脊椎指压治疗从历史上被视为骗术到如今走向主流的演变，约11%美国成年人在2022年接受过该治疗。
第二段：阐述脊椎治疗师的执业培训与职业范围，指出行业内部循证水平参差不齐，部分从业者仍推广未经证实的疗法。
第三段：提供关于腰背痛治疗的证据，手法操作与针灸、按摩疗效相当，但并发症风险极低。
第四段：警示颈部操作的动脉夹层风险，指出对儿童和非肌肉骨骼疾病的疗效尚缺乏严格证据，部分治疗师的反疫苗立场也受到批评。
第五段：给出就诊建议—通过评估宣传内容辨别循证治疗师，警惕套餐推销和天价补充剂，理性看待持续护理需求。
英文全文总结
This article examines the benefits and risks of chiropractic care, which has grown increasingly mainstream despite its controversial origins. While evidence supports manual manipulation as a moderately effective treatment for lower back pain—comparable to acupuncture and massage—its effectiveness for other conditions like asthma or infections lacks scientific backing. Serious complications such as arterial dissection are rare but possible. The article also warns of broader concerns: some chiropractors promote unproven treatments, hold anti-vaccine views, or push expensive supplements. For those seeking chiropractic care, the article advises evaluating providers carefully, watching for red flags like miracle cure claims, and approaching high-priced supplements with healthy skepticism.
🎯 打卡作业
请翻译以下划线句：
"While some chiropractors stick closely to their training and offer care that is supported by scientific research, others veer toward unproven treatments."
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📌 上期回顾
上期划线句答案
"The company's S-1 filing shows it lost 3.7 billion in revenue, for an operating margin of negative 73 percent."
参考翻译
该公司的S-1招股文件显示，去年其亏损达27亿美元，营收为37亿美元，营业利润率为负73%。
