Dear All several things have caught my eye with regard to the recent debate
on Chiros.

Unlike the recent transcript, I am happy as a PT for other disciplines to
use spinal manipulation; if they are cpmpetent to do so. It would be hard to
stop this. I would like to know why spinal manipulation is thought to be the
domain of the Chiros. Physio has as long a history in this field and
Osteopathy is older than Chiropractic. Is it an age thing. If so the Chinese
maniputators should be teaching us all as their system goes back several
thousand years.

I am never convinced by the proof of the efficacy of any school when it is
measured by the measures. Papers can be reproduced to show skill etc by any
group.

Is the claim of spinal manipulation exclusivity by the Chiros due to the
excellent safety records. Not according to the evidence I have seen. The
risk/benefit analysis is only of any merit, if the choice is passed on to
the patient.

Finally, the thing that turns me off about Chiros, which is less evident in
my experience in the osteopaths; is this aggressive marketing, openly
admitted. If you are that good, shouldn't patients be knocking down your
door, aggressive marketing should not be necessary. It is a sign of
insecurity when a profession tries to monopolise on a such an ancient and
universal art as manual therapy.

Regards Kevin UK PT.
-----Original Message-----
From: Renee Cordrey <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>;
physio listserv <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 20 September 1999 05:38
Subject: Re: [acutept] Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Press Release


Got this on the Acute PT list.



Peter Kovacek wrote:
>
> 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 Antonio, 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, James 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. Michael 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 James
> > Edwards, 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.
>
> Peter R. Kovacek, MSA, PT
> Email [log in to unmask]
> 313 884-8920
> Visit <www.PTManager.com>
>
> TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE !
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