Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Press Release

[Guest guest]

This ought to stir up some discussion - FYI.

Spinal

Manipulation/Adjustment Policy Statement Approved by American

Chiropractic Association

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A new policy statement

defining spinal manipulation and highlighting the emphasis that doctors

of chiropractic place on quality health care for the public was one of

many resolutions passed by the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA)

House of Delegates during the 36th annual business meeting in San

, TX, August 25-28. Other unprecedented positions were taken on

issues ranging from domestic violence to the sale of non-health-related

products in doctors' offices.

The progressive position statements reflect an association ready to meet

the challenges of a changing profession and health care system, according

to the new leadership elected during the meeting. " As the millennium

approaches, the American Chiropractic Association is taking an aggressive

stand on issues that will truly position the profession as a vital and

responsible player in the health care arena, " said ACA's new

president, Mertz, DC, DACBR.

" The new leadership of the ACA understands that the profession needs

a strong, resourceful and influential national association, " added

ACA's new chairman of the board of governors, J. Flynn, DC.

Spinal Manipulation Policy

Among the most notable of the resolutions passed, the new policy

statement on spinal manipulation was drafted by a team of ACA leaders,

well-known chiropractic researchers and educators to " protect the

art as uniquely chiropractic. "

" As interest grows in spinal manipulation by other provider

disciplines, " the team wrote in a cover memo to the policy

statement, " we feel a duty to advance a credible policy statement

regarding the education, skill and quality performance standards

necessary to safely perform chiropractic spinal manipulation/adjustment

.... The research evidence supports chiropractic spinal

manipulation/adjustment as being effective, cost-effective and quality

driven. High patient satisfaction levels already tell the story: the best

educated, skilled and trained clinician for performing spinal

manipulation is the doctor of chiropractic. "

The policy statement includes sections dealing with the definition of

manipulation and mobilization, clinical education standards, a risk

benefit analysis and the science and " art " of spinal

manipulation. Also included in the policy statement are recommendations

to develop a research program to enhance future studies of chiropractic

spinal manipulation/adjustment, to create medical profession awareness

about the benefits of early, integrated chiropractic care to restore and

maintain spinal health and to disseminate this important safety and

quality information to consumers, policymakers and payers.

Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse

The well-being of patients was the impetus behind an important resolution

encouraging the federal government and all state legislatures to enact

domestic violence legislation. This legislation would mandate that

physicians report suspected domestic violence -- co-habitant/spousal or

elderly -- to the appropriate legal authorities. Included in the

legislation would be an indemnification section protecting the physician

against any retaliatory action that might be taken against them as a

result of their reporting the abuse.

" There are very few statutes that require doctors to report

suspected cases of domestic violence, " said , DC, a

newly-elected member of the ACA Executive Committee. " Because

doctors are often the first people to notice the signs of domestic abuse,

we could intervene in time to save a life or a family. With this

resolution, ACA will be one of the first national health care

organizations to call for a solution to the growing and devastating

epidemic of spousal and elder abuse. "

Access to Doctors of Chiropractic, Medically Necessary Care

The ACA will also work to ensure that chiropractic care is readily

available for all health care consumers. A resolution passed during the

annual meeting affirms ACA's commitment to guaranteeing that doctors of

chiropractic are included on managed care organization panels on a direct

access basis, and on managed care organizations' medical advisory

committees and medical credentialing committees.

In a similar resolution designed to guarantee the best care for the

patient, the ACA maintains that patients should have the right to receive

medically necessary care as determined by their practitioners, and that

this position should be included in the list of patient protections in

any managed care legislation passed by Congress.

Research on Chiropractic for Chronic Care

In light of the growing concern by the profession that third-party payers

are refusing to reimburse doctors of chiropractic for the treatment of

chronic conditions, the HOD has called on the Foundation for Chiropractic

Education and Research (FCER) to develop a study of the existing

scientific literature supporting chiropractic for chronic conditions.

" There is so much evidence out there that doctors of chiropractic

can successfully treat patients with chronic conditions -- and we can do

it less expensively and more safely than medical doctors, " explained

Dr. Mertz. " With FCER's help, we can arm ourselves with the facts

that will convince the managed care industry our services are not only an

appropriate choice for chronic conditions, but the most appropriate

choice. "

Sale of Non-Health-Related Products

The HOD also approved a resolution advising doctors to refrain from

selling non-health-related goods from their offices. The only exceptions

are non-health-related goods that are sold for community or charitable

organizations. Similar resolutions have recently been passed by other

national health care organizations and have been well-received by the

public.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the largest chiropractic

organization in the country, provides lobbying, public relations,

professional and educational opportunities for doctors of chiropractic,

funds research regarding chiropractic and health issues, and offers

leadership for the advancement of the profession. The ACA promotes the

highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health

and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. SOURCE American

Chiropractic Association

© PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

R. Kovacek, MSA, PT

Email Pkovacek@...

313 884-8920

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