As reported in our last issue, the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) contacted Dr. Tedd Koren before his October 2008 seminar in Berlin, bringing into question whether Koren Specific Technique is actually chiropractic.1 This was after Dr. Koren's 2007 Berlin seminar sparked a controversy that ultimately resulted in the WFC sanctioning him.2 Now, the European chiropractic community is seeking assistance from chiropractors in the U.S. and elsewhere, as explained in the following "Open Letter to Our North American Colleagues and Friends" authored by Philippe Druart, DC, president of the European Chiropractors' Union, in late 2008:
"Last year, and now again in October this year, the American chiropractor Dr. Tedd Koren has taught his Koren Specific Technique to non-chiropractors in Germany, with his seminar marketed as 'gentle North American chiropractic.' These non-chiropractors then claim to be practicing chiropractic, and some openly call themselves chiropractors or use the initials DC. All this is possible because there is not yet law to regulate the practice of chiropractic in Germany.
"The European Chiropractors' Union has spent many years supporting its colleagues in Germany (and other European countries) that, as yet, have no law regulating the practise of chiropractic in their country. We will not stand by and see one man 'thumb his nose' at bona fide German chiropractors in a self-interested effort to make money by peddling a technique seminar to non-chiropractors.
"Dr. Koren has acted despite clear explanations from the German Chiropractors' Association, representing qualified DCs in Germany; the European Chiropractors' Union, representing the profession in Europe; and the World Federation of Chiropractic that this is a betrayal of chiropractic that will greatly set back the development of the profession in Europe.
"In the past, other American DCs have understood our explanations and position in Europe and stopped giving such courses. We believe Dr. Koren has simply decided to put his financial interests before the interests of patients and the profession. Therefore, with this letter we ask you to say no to Dr. Koren. If he will not respect his colleagues and his profession, please decide now not to support his seminars and activities. We know you share our passion for chiropractic. Say no to Dr. Koren. We thank you in anticipation for this."
In addition to the above, similar letters were released by the Association Française de Chiropractique, Belgian Chiropractors' Union, British Chiropractic Association, Chiropractic Association of Ireland, Finnish Chiropractic Union, German Chiropractors' Association, Hellenic (Greek) Chiropractors' Association, Netherlands Chiropractors' Association, Norwegian Chiropractors´ Association, and Swedish Chiropractic Association.3
Dr. Koren has already responded to the issues raised by the World Federation of Chiropractic and European chiropractic associations regarding his KST seminars reportedly being taught to unlicensed individuals.4 In an exclusive e-mail interview, Dr. Koren answered questions regarding the recent action by the ECU and its member chiropractic associations. Unfortunately, Dr. Koren's responses to the following five questions, plus his rather lengthy introduction, are too substantial to be reproduced in print in their entirety. In the interest of space, his introduction and the supporting elements to his answers to question #2 have been omitted from this article. Dr. Koren's entire interview response is available online.5
DC: The letter from Dr. Druart suggests that you are putting your "financial interests before the interests of patients and the profession." The amount that we have heard suggests that you have been paid more than $40,000 for giving your most recent seminar in Berlin. For the record, how much were you paid for your most recent 2008 Berlin seminar(s) and how do you respond to Dr. Druart's statement?
TK: I make about 15% of revenue over expenses on a seminar and run about one seminar a month. Our seminars are unlike most others in that we provide one-on-one mentor instruction, meals and lifetime support. They are very expensive to produce. If I made more I would give more seminars. However, each time you write about this issue the demand for KST seminars grow.
DC: In his letter, Dr. Druart asks the profession to "say no to Dr Koren." What response do you have to this request?
TK: "Say yes to Dr. Koren!" Here's why: 1. KST is good for patients. More people are being helped than ever before. 2. KST is good for practitioners. We are fulfilling the promise of chiropractic. 3. KST is good for chiropractic - our profession needs help. KST can help increase chiropractic's effectiveness and popularity. 4. Increased revenue - KST is good for the chiropractic profession. 5. It's good for lay people to come to KST seminars. 6. It's good for the public health.
DC: You have previously stated, "KST can even be used on oneself and can be used by lay people (as AK is taught to lay people, as demonstrated in the book Touch for Health, and BodyTalk is taught to lay people). Surely I am not the only chiropractor to teach methods for public or lay use." This and similar statements have some U.S. doctors concerned that you have or will give KST seminars to non-DCs in the United States. Have you? If so, when and to whom? Do you plan to? If not, how can DCs be sure you won't in the future? (No response to this question from Dr. Koren.)
DC: Have you conducted seminars similar to your Berlin seminar in any other part of the world where the attendees were not licensed DCs?
TK: As I have repeatedly stated, KST is a protocol chiropractors and other health professionals can use to assist patients in improving their health and well-being which does not require chiropractic training to be used effectively. For this reason, any licensed health practitioners are welcome at my seminars. DCs MDs, osteopaths, dentists, nutritionists, optometrists, naturopaths, CranioSacral therapists, orthopedic surgeons, herbalists, specialists in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and psychologists have attended my seminars both in the U.S. and Europe.
DC: Do you plan to conduct any more seminars in Berlin or anywhere else in the world where the attendees need not be licensed doctors of chiropractic?
TK: My 2009 seminar schedule is posted on my Web site. If I were invited to present seminars where non-DCs are in attendance, I would, for the reasons set out above and time permitting, accept such invitations.
References
Before responding to our interview questions, Dr. Koren sent an e-mail response to our Jan. 29 article. See We Get Letters & E-Mail.
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