True Chiropractic Consensus
The Conference for the Establishment of Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters (the Mercy Conference) embodied 35 DCs from every philosophical, intellectual, and political point-of-view imaginable. As witness to the panel's diversity, just a few examples suffice:
Ralph Boone, DC, PhD, president of the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association (SCASA); president of Southern California Chiropractic CollegeIn a profession known for its independence of thought and divisiveness among its ranks, how could any kind of true consensus be possible?James Winterstein, DC, DACBR, president of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE); president of National College of Chiropractic
Gerard Clum, DC, president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC); president of Life College of Chiropractic-West
Reed Phillips, DC, PhD, DACBR, president of Los Angeles College of Chiropractic; vice president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges
R. James Gregg, DC, FICC, president of the International Chiropractors Association
Louis Sportelli, DC, past chairman, American Chiropractic Board of Governors
and ...
Twenty-nine additional practitioners, researchers, and academicians representing further diversities of thought.
During the four-day conference, the culmination of nearly three-years work, the panel of 35 voted on a total of 306 distinct guidelines on chiropractic practice. Of the 306 guidelines, these are the consensus results:
296 guidelines (96.7%) were rated Consensus Level 1 (full agreement -- over 85% of the panel in favor)Of the five guidelines that received Consensus Level 3 ratings, only four (1.3%) had minority opinions. For chiropractic guidelines to be established by a representative group from the profession with only 8 guidelines (3.4%) not receiving full agreement is incredible. Indeed, the vast majority of the Consensus Level 1 guidelines were unanimous.3 guidelines (1%) were rated Consensus Level 2 (consensus established -- 70%-84% of the panel in favor)
5 guidelines (1.6%) were rated Consensus Level 3 (majority/minority opinions -- 51%-69% of the panel in favor)
There has probably never been a time in the history of the profession when we have been this close to full chiropractic consensus.
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?
