Another Step Forward for Chiropractic

Chiropractic is now available to 86,000-plus Latter-Day Saints missionaries and you are invited to become a provider. LDS membership in not required; our only concern is that our missionaries get the best quality care available. You must be licensed to practice chiropractic in your state; be in good standing; and carry malpractice insurance.

The credentialing process is simple: complete the application at www.ldschiro.com and accept the terms of agreement, after which you will receive a confirmation letter. You will then be added to the provider list.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) has had an active worldwide missionary force for the past 175 years, which now has grown to 86,000-plus missionaries. The church is extremely concerned with the health of its missionaries.

For more than 20 years, the LDS Missionary Medical Committee (comprised of medical doctors and nurses of all specialties) has played an integral part in the missionary's health care. Worldwide medical needs are handled by additional missionaries with medical experience and/or active licenses. They oversee the health care of the injured or ill missionary; make recommendations to area medical advisers, who supervise the missionary's needs by referring to local doctors if the care can be provided locally. Doctors contacted must be on the provider list.

Chiropractic has been included on this committee for the past eight years. In the past two years, we have developed a chiropractic care program, allowing all our missionaries access to chiropractic benefits while serving missions. This has been a great asset in keeping our missionaries in their respective areas of service.

The program has been in place long enough to demonstrate effective results. The mission presidents, area medical advisers, Missionary Medical Committee and missionaries are recognizing the benefits of chiropractic care.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints encourages its young men to serve missions for two years at age 18; young women can choose at age 19 to serve a year and a half. All apply through the bishop of their local congregation (ward). The application is forwarded to the Missionary Department, which makes an assignment based on the needs throughout the world. The missionary does not request a specific area of service.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints strongly encourages a healthy lifestyle with natural foods, proper exercise, and avoidance of tobacco, coffee, tea, alcohol and any other addictive substances. Healthy choice is known as "the word of wisdom." A large percentage of the membership is attuned to natural solutions to their health problems, making chiropractic an ideal alternative technique for them.

If you are interested in becoming a chiropractic provider, please go to the website and do the following, in this order:

1. Click on "Chiropractic Guidelines" – read and understand the requirements.
2. Click on the "Doctors: Apply Here" tab on the home page and complete the application.
3. If you agree to the terms, click on "I have read and agree to the terms of the agreement" box.
4. Enter the validation code.
5. Click on "Validate and Accept." The program will prompt you to correct any errors if necessary.
6. Click on "Submit Application." Your information will be added to the ldschiro.com database and you will receive a confirmation welcome letter.

We look forward to your interest in to becoming a participating provider for this important program.