Congressional Appeal to DoD Gains Steam
The Senate Committee on Appropriations has filed a report urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to increase utilization of chiropractic services in the military, specifically to address the increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in combat settings. According to the committee's report, which accompanies fiscal year 2012 pending legislation for Pentagon operations, the DoD should address such injuries by "increasing the use of chiropractic care" and "[expanding] the utilization of alternative medical treatment options such as chiropractic health care services at military treatment facilities."
Senate Report 112-77 accompanies H.R. 2219, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2012. Readers will recall that only weeks ago, 15 members of the House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to the DoD requesting that disparities in the treatment of doctors of chiropractic be addressed. (For the full story, read "Asking the DoD for a Level Playing Field" in the Oct. 7, 2011 issue.)
"I am encouraged that the subcommittee recognizes that the services provided by doctors of chiropractic are vital to the well-being of our troops and that we are an essential part of the recovery process for many," said ACA President Keith Overland, DC, in an ACA press release discussing the Senate Committee on Appropriations' report. "I want to especially thank Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye for including this language in the report."
The ACA release notes that while the report does not have the force of law, it may help spur the DoD, legislators and/or other federal agencies to take action.
NYCC Sports Science Program Approved by State Education Department
The New York State Education Department has approved New York Chiropractic College's advanced certificate program in sports science and human performance. The program can be completed concurrent with the doctor of chiropractic degree program, according to the college, which explained the benefits of the program in a press release:
"The additional clinical competence and experiences by recipients of the Sports and Human Performance Certificate will provide them with the competitive edge to obtain affiliations with sports organizations, professional and semi-professional teams, and collegiate and high school athletic programs looking for a health care provider."
IFCO President Joins Sherman College Board of Trustees
International Federation of Chiropractors and Organizations (IFCO) President, Dr. Shane Walker, has been named to the Sherman College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees. Dr. Walker is a 2000 graduate of Sherman College.
"The day of my graduation from Sherman College, I knew that involvement with the college would be a part of my future," commented Dr. Walker after being named to the board. "Chiropractic is our entire life, and helping Sherman College take its place as the premier chiropractic institution is the logical next step for me. I see a huge vision for Sherman and I am honored to serve."
Standard Process Funds Scholarship for SCU Student
Katie Ngan, a ninth trimester student at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), is the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Robert Curry Scholarship. The scholarship, presented by Standard Process, Inc., totals $10,000 and is designed to encourage students to study whole-food nutrition as a component of their curriculum. The scholarship program will provide $10,000 to a qualified SCU student each year for the next five years.
"Standard Process is committed to supporting students who have an interest in implementing nutrition into their future practices," said John Nab, DC, director of professional development at Standard Process. "By learning how nutrition affects health outcomes, they can support their patients' total well-being from the very start."
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?
