On October 12, 2000, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners gave Life University, Palmer Chiropractic College (in Davenport) and Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic 60 days to comply with Section 331 of Title 16 of the California Chiropractic Act. The act requires each chiropractic institution to teach physical therapy as part of the core curriculum for their graduates to be eligible for licensure in California. The California Board gave notice to each school in a "bill of particulars."
The California Board also stipulated that students attending the three chiropractic colleges would have a one-year grace period during which they could sit for the California Board exam. As further demonstration of their desire to work with the three colleges, the California Board stated that it would consider a second attempt at a change in the regulations that now require chiropractic colleges to meet the educational standards, rather than their graduating students who wish to sit for California licensure.
The action by the California Board was spawned during the organization's review period when it was noticed that a 20-year-old regulation was not followed met by the three colleges. Palmer College and Life University do offer physical therapy, but as an elective, not as a required course. (This action has no effect on Life West or Palmer West.) Given the fact that the California Chiropractic Act prohibits discrimination between colleges of differing philosophy, there is a substantial legal question as to whether or not this regulation would withstand a legal challenge in court.
In talking with representatives from the three colleges and the California Board, all are hopeful that a resolution can be worked out between them before the one-year grace period is over. If so, it will more than likely require a change in the California regulations and possibly the addition of physical therapy as an elective at Sherman College. And while formal reactions by the parties are still forthcoming, this further emphasizes the need for the chiropractic colleges, chiropractic state licensing board and even the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to work together to eliminate hurdles to advances in chiropractic education.
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?
