It has been suggested that the reason Dr. William Dallas, president of Western States Chiropractic College, was given the opportunity to present his "Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine" (DCM) concept un-edited in Dynamic Chiropractic, was because this publication supported the idea. The actual reason for presenting issues like this for your consideration is to encourage academic debate and give you, the reader, a chance to consider the issues without a reporter cutting it up into short quotes and summaries. While this is not typical journalism, allowing free academic debate on an issue of academic importance seemed appropriate.
Certain issues are so close to the ongoing struggle within the chiropractic profession for its own self-determination, that these issues require a point/counterpoint debate such as was presented on DCM between Dr. Dallas and Dr. Gerard Clum, president of Life College of Chiropractic West. We hope these articles stimulate you to think about how you want to see chiropractic position itself as health care reform takes shape.
After the dust settles on the two rounds of discussion, there are certain points that come to the surface:
As for my personal perspective, let me offer my opinion as a patient.
The reason I am a chiropractic patient first (and when absolutely necessary a medical patient, second) is due to the philosophy behind each form of health care. My father raised me on chiropractic adjustments and vitamins for almost all ailments. We weren't particularly anti-medicine, but we were definitely anti-drugs. He taught me firsthand that I had a choice of which approach I could take towards health. (If my father had kept more comprehensive records on me, that data could have been submitted to a research journal as a case study.)
When I, as a potential patient, consider giving chiropractors the ability to write a prescription rather than spend the extra time and effort to thoroughly examine me, I can't help but be concerned -- just as concerned as I would be if my DC treated me in three minutes or less without an examination to see what treatment was called for.
If there is ANY CHANCE that tomorrow's chiropractors will be tempted to utilize "cure all" drugs in favor of effective chiropractic care, then I am totally and completely against it, whatever it is.
Even if each and every DCM candidate would swear to me that they will never succumb to that temptation, as a patient, I am not willing to take that risk. To me, this is not an issue of scope of practice, but has to do with protecting the only remaining health profession where a patient can be guaranteed drug-free care: chiropractic.
* Market changes hasten oversupply of physicians, American Medical News, August 8, 1994.
DMP Jr., BS, HCD (hc)
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?
