There has long been an attempt by those who are not legitimate doctors of chiropractic to usurp the title of chiropractor from those who have earned their degree from an accredited chiropractic program. This generally happens in countries where the local doctors of chiropractic have yet to pass legislation requiring a degree from an accredited institution.
The result is essentially two chiropractic professions. One is comprised of chiropractors who have graduated from accredited programs and belong to their country’s recognized national chiropractic association. The other is comprised of people who have attended seminars and/or have been taught chiropractic adjusting and feel entitled to call themselves “chiropractors” (or their country’s equivalent) because there is no law against it. Sadly, the non-chiropractors tend to be a much larger group than the legitimate DCs.
Nowhere is this danger more pronounced than in Japan. The Japanese Association of Chiropractors (JAC) is the recognized chiropractic association, the only Japanese member of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). JAC members are doctors of chiropractic who have graduated from accredited chiropractic programs.
The competing organization, the Japan Chiropractic Association (JCA), was founded by Dr. Yasunori Iwana. Not coincidentally, Dr. Iwana was also the chairman of the Japan Direct Sales Headquarters (JDSH), under the Nippon Chokuhan Group; as well as the chairman of the National Healthy Living Promotion Association, also known as Zenkenkai. These positions have been passed down to Dr. Nobunori Iwama.1
According to its website, the Nippon Chokuhan Group develops “bedding, equipment, and health foods necessary for Zenkenkai chiropractors’ treatment activities, and also take orders and ship products.” (translation provided by Google)2-3
According to the Zenkenkai website, Zenkenkai chiropractic can solve the following “body problems”: stiff shoulder and back pain, feeling tired, skin irritation, bulging belly, postpartum pelvic opening, constipation, pelvic and posture distortion, stress, bowed legs and knock-knees, make your face smaller and address smartphone addiction. Zenkenkai chiropractic claims that “Zenkenkai’s chiro uses authentic American techniques.” (translation provided by Google)4
Zenkenkia offers information sessions throughout Japan for people who would like to start a Zenkenkai chiropractic business; starting with a four-day Beginner Chiropractic Business Seminar conducted by the JCA, at which people learn anatomy, nutritional therapy, exercise therapy and physical therapy (costing 418,000 yen; about $2,700). After completing the first four-day seminar, students can start earning “Product Handling Income.”
The next four-day seminar teaches chiropractic techniques for shoulder and back pain, along with osteopathy and Post Isometric Relaxation (costing 198,000 yen; about $1,270). Completing this four-day seminar allows students to earn “Treatment Income” as well.
After taking the first two four-day seminars, students are encouraged to open their own clinic, with the expectation of earning a substantial income.5-7
For those who wish to advance their skills and income, the first two seminars are followed by the Intermediate Business Seminar (five days), the Advanced Business Seminar (five days), the A-Class Chiropractor Seminar (five days) and the Excellent Chiropractor Seminar (five days). According to the website: “Only those who have confirmed the completion of the chiropractic techniques that have been taken up to now can attend higher-level seminars.”
Those who pass the highest level can attend a two-week chiropractic seminar at Texas Chiropractic College (TCC). The TCC two-week seminar, when combined with the previous seminars, results in a total of 38-42 days of chiropractic training.6
Zenkenkai/JCA also offers classes in becoming a “beauty chiropractor” or “beauty chiropractic esthetician.” This business model includes the use and sale of cosmetics. According to the Zenkenkai website, beauty chiropractic estheticians can gross 1,250,000 yen (about $8,000) per month.8
The Zenkenkai chiropractic model is based largely on the retail sales of products. Every Zenkenkai chiropractic patient receives a free “treatment aid” product with each visit. Beauty chiropractic estheticians are expected to purchase an average of 347,500 yen (about $2,500) in products each month, mostly to sell to patients.8,9
Interestingly enough, JCA’s chairman is Dr. Richard Brassard, former president of Texas Chiropractic College.10 It was during Dr. Brassard’s time as TCC president in 2008 that the college received a $700,000 donation (the largest in its history at that time) from Dr. Yasunori Iwama to build the JCA Dr. Yasunori Iwama Education Center.11 More recently TCC dedicated the newly renovated Dr. Nobunori Iwama Anatomical Laboratory building in 2015.12
Every year, hundreds of Zenkenkai chiropractors visit TCC for two weeks of training, which includes chiropractic theory, anatomy, dissection, physiology, pathology, neurology, examination methods and chiropractic techniques, apparently taught by TCC faculty. According to Dr. Brassard, the two-week seminar allows them to develop larger practices.
Over 1,500 Zenkenkai chiropractors have attended TCC’s two-week seminar.12 Given the cost of the first two four-day JCA/Zenkenkai seminars, it is likely that the cost per student for the two-week TCC training seminars exceeds $6,000 per student or over $9 million to date.
In 2024, in an apparent effort to shore up lagging membership, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) jumped on the Zenkenkai gravy train after a presentation by Dr. Nobunori Iwama at the ACA General Assembly in January.
Reporting on the event, a press release from the Japan Direct Sales headquarters Co. Ltd., stated: “By strengthening our ties with ACA, JCA chiropractors will be able to acquire the latest techniques and knowledge closer to that of a doctor, and provide the best possible treatment to patients.” (Emphasis added)13
According to a second press release, the ACA and JCA signed an agreement whereby 300 JCA members could become ACA members. “The signing took place at TCC, and was attended by ACA President Leo Bronston, ACA Executive Vice President Karen Silverman, TCC President Emeritus Richard G. Brassard [also JCA Chair], TCC Past President Stephen A. Foster, JCA President Nobunori Iwama, and several chiropractors representing JCA.”(bracketed information added)14
In its follow-up press release, the ACA welcomed 200 JCA members as new international ACA members.15 When asked about the arrangement, the ACA replied: “The American Chiropractic Association has for many years offered international memberships. These members, like all ACA members, have access to continuing education programs and other resources on our website and through live programs and events, which help them to learn and grow, build leadership skills, and connect with others. Our mission is to inspire and empower members to elevate the health of their communities.” (Emphasis added)16
ACA Executive Vice President Karen Silberman and current TCC President Sandra Hughes, DC, MEd, were asked if their organizations were planning or already providing educational seminars and membership to unqualified students from countries other than Japan. Both chose not to address this question or other interview questions pertaining to these issues. JCA Chairman Dr. Richard Brassard also declined to respond to interview questions.17
Zenkenkai claims that “about 12,000 teachers are working as chiropractors and beauty chiropractic estheticians throughout the country.” (translation provided by website)2, which is more than three times the number of ACA general members. The WFC-recognized Japanese Association of Chiropractors has fewer than 400.
Unfortunately, Japan is not the only country where non-chiropractors are forming their own profession, undermining the status of legitimate doctors of chiropractic and making the passage of appropriate chiropractic legislation virtually impossible. Chiropractic is still not recognized in most countries around the world.
In response to inquiries about the situation in Japan, the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) noted: “We unequivocally oppose any actions that misrepresent qualifications or fraudulently portray individuals as qualified chiropractors. Such practices are deemed by the WFC to pose a significant risk to public safety and undermine the integrity of the profession.”
According to the JDSH press release, “it was promised that the JCA, with the support of the ACA, will work hard to develop chiropractic not only in Japan but throughout Asia.”13 Should the JCA, TCC and the ACA continue in this endeavor, could their efforts prohibit the development of a legitimate chiropractic profession throughout much of the world and hasten the development of a competing non-chiropractic profession globally?
And is it unrealistic to think that such a movement, promoted by the considerable commercial interests already in place, might one day petition the World Health Organization to establish a second chiropractic profession?
Editor’s Note: Some of the links below require Google translation to read in English. Open links in Google Chrome and click “English” on the top right.
References
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