On Monday, September 30, 2002, a member of the National Association of Chiropractic Medicine (NACM) published a very condescending and derogatory report from NACM President Charles DuVall,DC, on ChiroSci-List, a chiropractic list-server. The title of the posting was: "The first VHA meeting: what the profession won't tell you."1 Duvall's report related his experience and perceptions of the first meeting of the Veterans Administration's Chiropractic Advisory Committee.2
DuVall's comments and tone were disdainful of doctors of chiropractic. In numerous instances, he referred to DCs obliquely as "they," and referred to the law that made the VA chiropractic benefit possible as "their law." There was also a suggestion of paranoia when he discussed the restrictions on the ability for observers to attend and speak to the committee. (Editor's note: All excerpts from DuVall's report are printed just as they appeared.)
"If ANYONE does NOT follow the protocol of sitting and listening ONLY, or if permitted to address the Committee tries to direct their position toward a single member of the Committee, or if any observer disrupts the meeting, they WILL be escorted from the meeting by security - resistance WILL result in ARREST."
| "It was pointed out to the chiropractic members, and the numerous lobbyists that came to observe from every faction of the profession, that while their law was passed with the direction that chiropractic physicians will be hired by the VA they grossly missed a KEY point in their law - they had failed to include that chiropractic physicians will be hired under Title 38. (The hiring status for physicians [MD/DO/DDS/DMD/PA/OD/DPM). They also had not done the proper study to determine WHAT D.C.'s do to determine whether they could be taken in under Title 38 or if they [D.C.'s] would be better in Hybrid Title 38 or Title 5. The reaction I observed of the chiro. lobbyists was UTTER SHOCK! As if they, who are paid the $$$$$$$$ to KNOW, Didn't have a clue." "At the present time the VA is looking to hire no more than 1 DC/ site. (The Committee feels that it should be @ least 2 or more." "Besides going to Bethesda Naval Hospital to see the D.C. who is working there, we will reach a point that, I believe, feathers will ruffle, as we decide scope of practice for DC's & referral to DC's. [In my humble opinion, if anyone believes that DC's will become primary care providers in the VA, it is more likely that the Jews will give the Hamas the key to Tel Aviv.]" |
As has occurred before,3-11 DuVall's report included information about a television program that he hopes to be featured in that is not expected to be complimentary to chiropractic:
| "On Tuesday, I had a film crew from Showtime, come into DC to film me for an upcoming show on questionable medical practices & quackery. I was to meet them at my hotel at 5:30." |
| "A message posted on chirosci-list@lists.netlojix.com regarding the first meeting of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Chiropractic Advisory Committee contains numerous inaccuracies. As the committee manager and designated federal official for the committee, I would like to clarify several points. "P.L. 107-135 states: "The Secretary shall designate at least one site for such program in each geographic service area of the Veterans Health Administration. The sites so designated shall be medical centers and clinics located in urban areas and in rural areas." (Emphasis added). P.L. 107-135 provides a minimum requirement, but does not restrict VA to only one site per geographical service area. VA has made no decision regarding the number or location of VA sites where chiropractic care will be provided. Likewise, no decisions have been made regarding the number of DCs to be placed at any given site." |
References
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?
