At its July 19, 1993 meeting, the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners unanimously adopted a resolution which endorses the Mercy Center Conference Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters.
The resolution was presented by Board President Hewett M. Alden, DC. Board of Examiners member Davis L. Kinney, DC, said the "Mercy Conference Guidelines represent the best effort of our profession to date in validating the various practices and procedures utilized by chiropractors and will be a valuable tool for the board of examiners in documenting appropriate practice guidelines."
Below is the statement of endorsement by the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners:
MOTION TO ENDORSE MERCY CONFERENCE GUIDELINES
The Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners endorses the efforts of the participants of the Mercy Conference to establish guidelines for the parameters of practice for the science and art of chiropractic. By endorsement, it is understood that, by consensus, the GBCE recognizes that this document is a living document that will periodically need reviews and subsequent revision.While the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards endorsed the Mercy Guidelines on April 11, 1992, this motion makes the Georgia Board the first state licensing to individually endorse the guidelines.It should be noted that the GBCE, by endorsement of the spirit of the development of reasonable guidelines for the practice of chiropractic, does not view the findings of the Mercy Conference as a document which specifically dictates a "Standard of Care" or prescription for the day to day chiropractic practice.
The Oklahoma Decision
Other state licensing boards are currently in the process of reviewing the Mercy Guidelines. The position of the Oklahoma State Board of Chiropractic Examiners on the Mercy Guidelines was stated in a letter from its president, G.D. Snitker, DC, to the Oklahoma Insurance Department:
Dr. Snitker's letter stated: "... numberous (sic) state associations, the association's legal council and ... the National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys, finds that portions of the document would create serious and substantial problems for the chiropractic profession." Dr. Snitker also refers to the ICA's "serious concerns relative to clinical goals and practice concepts of ICA members..." of the Mercy Guidelines.
The board found the Mercy Guidelines: "more restrictive than Section 507 of the rules and regulations of the Oklahoma Board..." and the "limitation of treatment/or diagnostic procedures ... are unreasonable and not in accordance with the provisions of law and/or rules of the board."
In conclusion, Dr. Snitker states: the Oklahoma Board "does not accept, endorse, approve or otherwise sanction the document produced by the Mercy Center Conference."
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?
