Editor's preface: In the 78 years since the first chiropractic office was opened in Denmark, the chiropractic profession has made steady inroads toward acceptance by the government and the general population. In 1991, chiropractors received their official authorization from the Danish health authorities. Three years later, Odense University began offering students a three-year bachelor's degree. In 1997, the Danish minister of education announced the establishment of a fully state-funded five-year chiropractic program (see "Denmark University Establishes 5-Year Chiropractic Program" in the April 7, 1997 issue of DC).
The latest chiropractic news out of Denmark is the opening of a new spinal clinic at the Ringe Hospital where the Odense chiropractic students will get most of their clinical training. Here with a report on the new hospital clinic are Claus Manniche, MD, and Tom Bendix, MD.
The new Spine Clinic at Ringe Hospital will officially open on August 1, 1998. Chiropractic students that have completed the first part of their five-year education at the University of Odense will receive the majority of their clinical training at Ringe Hospital. The students will also spend time at other hospital departments relevant to the education of chiropractors, such as general orthopedic and internal medicine wards.
The Spine Centre at Ringe will be led by Professor Claus Manniche, MD. The staff will include chiropractors, rheumatologists and physiotherapists, thus insuring a broad based clinical education that will prepare the students for their integration into both the primary and secondary health sectors. Professor Tom Bendix, MD, is in charge of the undergraduate program of the chiropractic education at Odense University and will also be involved in the clinical education at Ringe. Forty to 50 per year from all over Scandinavia will begin the program.
Chiropractors in Denmark received their official authorization in 1991. The pace of development since then has indeed been rapid. With the moral and economic support from the profession at large, many chiropractors have become involved in research, and several have attained PhD degrees. Other hospitals have begun hiring chiropractors, and the degree of interaction with other health professions is continually growing. Chiropractic clinics are thriving, and chiropractors actively participate in government and insurance agency bodies related both to health care and reimbursement.
In accordance with other types of academic education, the chiropractic education at Odense University will be research-based. Students at the undergraduate level undergo a "problem-based" scientific education. Most courses are identical to those of the medical faculty. There is also an emphasis on biomechanics and other areas related to neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Upon completion of educational and clinical requirements, students must submit a thesis based upon original research.
These developments have place chiropractic in Denmark in a unique position. We hope that our achievements can be a source of inspiration to our colleagues in other countries. We will continue to inform the readers of Dynamic Chiropractic of new developments in Denmark.
Claus Manniche, MD, Dr. Med. Sci.
Spine Clinic
Ringe, Denmark
Tom Bendix, MD, Dr. Med. Sci.
University of Odense
Odense, Denmark
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."
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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?
