ADA, Ohio - Despite a century of debate by chiropractic leaders, a new university-based survey of North America's practicing doctors of chiropractic reveals a surprising degree of unity on most issues.
Published by the Institute for Social Research at Ohio Northern University, the probability survey discloses overwhelming agreement on key issues such as the vertebral subluxation, the adjustment and the appropriateness of a broad array of clinical services.
How Chiropractors Think and Practice: The Survey of North American Chiropractors contradicts the long-standing stereotype that doctors of chiropractic are divided into rival camps. The hardcover report is based on responses from 687 DCs. The randomized survey netted a robust response rate of 63.3%, giving the results an estimated maximum sampling error of plus or minus 4%.
The findings will likely challenge several previous assumptions:
Data analysis reveals that differences in attitudes among chiropractors were associated with four independent variables:
The following are examples of how differing opinions were associated with, but not necessarily caused by, these four variables:
The only issue in which chiropractors were closely divided involved limited prescription rights. A slight majority (54.3%) favored allowing DCs to write prescriptions for over-the-counter medicines. A slight majority (51.2%) opposed writing prescriptions for musculoskeletal medicines (muscle relaxants, corticosteriods, etc.). However, the respondents were overwhelmingly opposed (88.6%) to the idea of writing prescriptions for all medicines, including controlled substances.
Asked to individually rate themselves on a nine-point philosophy scale, ranging from "broad scope" to "focused scope," approximately one-half of the respondents chose the middle-scope label. "Much like other professions, chiropractors tend to cluster in the middle of the continuum," noted William McDonald, MS Ed, DC, lead investigator and principal author of the report. "Because of our history of leadership squabbles, we are not accustomed to thinking of ourselves as having any common middle ground."
While 46% of the respondents designated themselves as middle scope, 34% selected the broad-scope label and 19% preferred the focused-scope identification.
The stereotypes surrounding focused-scope and broad-scope chiropractors are refuted by much of the new research:
"The labels we traditionally use are not always helpful. Most self-reported broad-scope practitioners are 'straight' on the issues of subluxation and adjustment, and most focused-scope chiropractors 'mix' the adjustment with other regimens and therapies," McDonald observed.
In contrast to the stereotype that chiropractors are divided into rival camps that think and practice in divergent ways, the report concludes with evidence of broad unity among practitioners. Majorities from each of the broad-scope, middle-scope and focused-scope groups were in agreement on the following eight concepts:
McDonald explained, "Chiropractors, as a whole, strongly endorse two things: the subluxation and its somatovisceral implications, and the use of numerous conservative treatments. While the subluxation is championed by the focused-scope camp and the spectrum of services is championed by the broad-scope practitioners, the typical chiropractor is eclectic. This type of contemporary practitioner values the adjustment, yet sees no contradiction in working to gain hospital privileges."
"While the ACC's position papers on chiropractic paradigm and scope of practice gave the profession a much-needed theoretical unity," added McDonald, "this new study gives strong evidence of a ground-level unity among practicing chiropractors. This knowledge should have a major impact both internally and externally for our profession."
This groundbreaking survey was underwritten in part by Dynamic Chiropractic; the graphics and typography for the report were underwritten in part by Foot Levelers, Inc.; and the printing of the report was underwritten in part by the Palmer Colleges and the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. It will likely impact the direction of the profession for at least the next decade, and should be required reading for every chiropractic leader in the country.
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?
