John Rupolo, D.C., DABCT, president of the International Thermographic Society (ITS) announced the ITS will fund an independent research project on thermography in concert with Patricia Brennan, PhD, chairperson of National College of Chiropractic (NCC)'s research department, and James Christiansen, PhD, NCC professor of physiology. The research will consist of conducting independent studies of MRI documented disc herniations, and then clinically correlating both the anatomical and neurological findings with thermographic findings.
The Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters rated infrared thermography as "equivocal/promising." The ITS believes that the responsible, independent research it is funding will elevate the status of thermography into the "established and acceptable" category.
The ITS has also announced that it will provide matching funds to support either clinical or basic science projects involving thermography in the evaluation or diagnosis of clinically relevant problems. Funds up to $5,000 will be provided to help deflate the costs of research, including equipment, materials, and administrative expenses. Research projects may include the evaluation of pre/post-treatment thermograms of patients; comparisons of thermography and other diagnostic modalities; reliability studies of clinical interpretation of normal and abnormal subjects, or other studies.
The ITS will provide assistance to first-time grant applicants in the drafting and completion of the necessary application forms. Also, assistance will be available throughout the project to help assure significant results, acceptable for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Requests for applications should be addressed to Richard Merritt, D.C., DABCT, 1253 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801.
ITS members are diplomates of the American Board of Clinical Thermography and must maintain 12 hours of postgraduate work per year in various areas of thermography.
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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Southern California University of Health Sciences has entered into an agreement with Pacific College of Health and Science whereby PCHS’ San Diego and Chicago campuses – including students, faculty, staff, and academic programs – will join SCU effective May 2026, pending regulatory approval. Founded in 1986 as Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, PCHS is not only the largest acupuncture / herbal medicine school in the U.S., but also offers integrative health curriculum in holistic nursing and massage therapy.
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