In a September 1996 vote, the Council of International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), a Geneva-based organization established in 1949 with funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accepted the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) as a member. CIOMS is the premier international organization for associations of health professionals.
Other CIOMS members include many international health professional organizations: World Medical Association; International Council of Nurses; World Federation of Neurology; International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; and the World Federation of Spine Surgeons.
The chiropractic profession's recent triumphs in England may have had an influential effect on CIOMS. Lord Walton of Detchant, president of the World Federation of Neurology, introduced the successful UK Chiropractic Act in England's House of Lords in 1994. In a letter to CIOMS that stated his support for the WFC's application, he wrote:
"The relationship between the medical and chiropractic professions worldwide has become increasingly one of mutual respect and collaboration and I have no hesitation, therefore, in supporting the application for membership which you have received from the World Federation of Chiropractic. I hope you will let me know if there is any further information that I can give, but I trust that you will be able to consider the application favorably and that membership can be approved in the near future."WFC president, Dr. John Sweaney of Australia, noted that there are two major benefits of WFC's membership in CIOMS, both for the WFC and for the chiropractic profession.
The first benefit is the very positive exposure for the chiropractic profession to many influential individuals in national and international health science organizations. These organizations include members of countries in Europe and elsewhere, often with little understanding of chiropractic. "CIOMS members include over 100 national and international members," said Dr. Sweaney, "and acceptance in this forum will inevitably lead to increased public and political acceptance of the value of chiropractic health care."
The second benefit of CIOMS membership is participation in important health policy initiatives relevant to chiropractic. The last major international health manpower project was organized by CIOMS. According to Dr. Sweaney, this crucial project examined appropriate numbers of physicians, nurses and other health professionals in many countries including Canada and the United States. "But there was no consideration of the chiropractic profession," he said. "Chiropractic will now have a voice in such major policy matters."
The current CIOMS president is Professor John Bryant, Institute of Medicine, US National Academy of Sciences. The current vice president is Dr. Hachen, a spine surgeon from Geneva, Switzerland.
The WFC represents a diverse cross-section of the chiropractic profession worldwide, its membership coming from over 60 national chiropractic associations, including the ACA and the ICA.
Editor's note: Any DC interested in becoming an associate member of the WFC should either forward $150 (US) to the address below, or contact the WFC for more information.
World Federation of Chiropractic
78 Glencairn Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1M8 Canada
Tel: 416-484-9978 Fax: 416-484-9665
E-mail: 102524.306@compuserve.com
Secretary-General: Mr. David Chapman-Smith
Continuing to impress the advertising and marketing world, The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) has again been recognized by industry organizations for its excellence in educating consumers on the benefits of chiropractic, this time through social media, newsletters, and demonstrating thought leadership by promoting holistic well-being.
Dr. Louis Sportelli received the Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award during the annual conference of the Association for the History of Chiropractic (AHC). During his nearly 60-year career, Dr. Sportelli has embodied the spirit of the award, given to “living individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the chiropractic profession.”
Presently there is no consensus on the best treatment for Achilles tendon rupture; and its management is still controversial. The treatment options are conservative treatment and surgical repair. With either treatment, be it conservative or surgical, Achilles tendon tears necessitate prolonged recovery and rehabilitative management.
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