In January of this year Dynamic Chiropractic reported on a curious occurance that seemed to be an isolated incident, but now appears to be part of a global plot: It has been learned that not only did the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) write a letter of introduction and intent to the Prime Minister of Trinidad/Tabago without contacting the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC), but probably sent similar letters to many other foreign governments as well. This became apparent when the Chiropractic Council of Japan (please see accompanying letter) and the National Chiropractic Association of Panama learned that the WCA had also contacted their respective governments with the same letter (please see "WCA Attempts to influence Prime Minister of Trinidad/Tabago" in the January 1, 1993 issue for a complete copy of the WCA's letter).
While it is not possible to know just which countries the WCA solicited, the World Federation of Chiropractic and national associations from around the world have written the WCA to express their disapproval and anger. To this date, the following 13 countries have written WCA president Dr. Terry A. Rondberg to demand that these actions be "dropped immediately": Australia, Canada, Cyprus, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Singapore, Trinidad and Tabago and the United States.
In addition to bypassing national associations in an attempt to create relationships with foreign governments, the WCA letter attempts to influence the way chiropractic is perceived (please see accompanying letter from the Norwegian Chiropractors' Association). Most of the 13 national associations were very concerned over a number of statements made by Dr. Rondberg, for example:
"Chiropractic doctors do not diagnose or treat diseases. Nor is it our goal to become a substitute for proper medical care." (Please see accompanying letter from the Singapore Chiropractic Association.)A number of the national associations are concerned that the efforts of the WCA are primarily attempts to propagate SCASA (Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association) chiropractic education and standards of care now that SCASA has lost its accreditation with the United States Department of Education (please see "U.S. Dept. of Education Denies SCASA Accreditation Renewal" in the October 9, 1992 issue). This appears to be particularly true with Israel and Trinidad/ Tabago (please see accompanying letters)."To foster closer ties to the health care officials in your country, we would like to distribute the Wyndham Conference Document to them. This document represents the standard of care for the straight chiropractic profession."
"In addition, we are providing scholarships to selected residents of your country who would like to study chiropractic. Our future plans call for opening of several chiropractic colleges around the world."
Of particular concern is the apparent use of a SCASA intern as part of the WCA's overall scheme in Trinidad/Tabago (please see accompanying letter from the Chiropractic Association Trinidad/Tabogo). This seems to demonstrate the extent to which the WCA is willing to go to insure that the "straight vs. mixed" divisions continue, even after President Learie G. Graham, D.C. formally requested Dr. Rondberg "desist from interfering in the affairs of the Chiropractic Association of Trinidad and Tabago".
Each of the 13 countries along with almost every national association in the world belongs to the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). This organization insures autonomy of individual countries but provides a forum for the collective growth and development of chiropractic worldwide. The WFC's work with the World Health Organization (WHO) is bringing chiropractic global recognition never before enjoyed by this profession (please see article "WHO to Publish Text on Chiropractic" in the November 6, 1992 issue).
World Federation Secretary-General David Chapman-Smith, LL.B.(hons) summed up the WFC's position on the WCA letters:
"Dr. Rondberg and the WCA have been unbelievably naive in approaching foreign governments without the consent of chiropractic associations in those countries.
"This failure to consult shows two things. Firstly, that the WCA is simply a small Arizona organization with a fancy name. It is inept and apparently has no understanding at all of diplomacy, democracy and international relations.
"Secondly, that the WCA values its own private goals and agenda higher than the successful growth of the chiropractic profession.
"The World Federation of Chiropractic was established in 1988 by all the chiropractic associations worldwide partly to stop what they saw as highly damaging entrepreneurial activities by American DCs who simply failed to understand the context in their countries. The background helps to explain the anger found in some of the responses to Dr. Rondberg. He and the WCA have failed to reply to the WFC's urgent request in early December for the names of countries and addresses of officials that have been contacted behind the backs of local associations."
Unfortunately, when Dr. Rondberg and the WCA were contacted to be interviewed on this issue, they refused.
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?
