The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a directive that orders the Pentagon to make chiropractic care a standard benefit for all active-duty military personnel. The directive is contained in H.R. 2647, a bill authorizing defense programs in fiscal year 2010, and is based in part on recommendations from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC).
The bill, passed by the full House on June 25, also contains language allowing for chiropractic demonstration projects at overseas military locations and clarifies that chiropractic care at U.S. military facilities is to be performed only by a doctor of chiropractic.
"When signed into law, this legislation will pave the way for expanded access within the military health care system to the critical services offered by doctors of chiropractic - both stateside and overseas," said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. "ACA leaders are dedicated to this effort and will settle for nothing less than full access to chiropractic."
In 2008, the House passed similar language in the form of H.R. 5658; however, the pro-chiropractic provision was not included in the Senate version of the bill.
"I would like to thank House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo.; Ranking Member Buck McKeon, R-Calif.; Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii; and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. for their support and for shepherding this language through the legislative process," Manceaux added.
To date, there is a doctor of chiropractic at 49 military bases around the country; however, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, only 54 percent of servicemen and women eligible for chiropractic care can reasonably access the benefit.
This latest development comes on the heels of an announcement that beginning this fall, 11 additional military hospitals and clinics will provide access to chiropractic services for active-duty military members, including facilities in Germany and Okinawa, Japan.
The Senate is expected to begin deliberating H.R. 2647 in the near future. Watch ACA's Web site and publications for more details as they become available. ACA members and other doctors of chiropractic with questions should e-mail gr@acatoday.org.
Source: American Chiropractic Association
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
