There Is No One to Blame But Ourselves
Dear Editor:
Once again, the profession and closed-minded "practitioners" within it are systematically ruining the opportunity the profession has to move forward. Practicing in the state of Washington for the past 17 years has shown that we have practitioners, not doctors of chiropractic. The state association led us astray years ago when it chose to make a deal whereby we only manipulate the spine and do nothing else.
Look how that's turned out. The PTs are able to manipulate even though part of the "great deal for Washington DCs" was that we would be the only ones legally "allowed" to manipulate. We can't do any physical therapy modalities, but PTs can manipulate. So, instead of doctors of chiropractic, we have practitioners who "sell treatment plans" and have "members" sign forms explaining they do not diagnose or treat any condition except the spinal subluxation.
Our profession is failing because of these "deals" and these "practitioners," instead of being the musculoskeletal experts we should be. It is embarrassing to be in the state of Washington as a DC right now.
There is no one to blame for failing numbers, other providers "taking our business" or offering "our treatment" except the profession. I was warned in school many years ago that chiropractors eat their young. Amazing how prophetic that is. Bad associate deals, bad deals with other groups and even worse, practitioners offering nothing better than a weekly massage versus being a doctor of chiropractic.
Jason Stoddard, DC
Spokane, Wash.
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
With estimates showing over 30 million Americans affected by peripheral neuropathy – and a significant portion underdiagnosed – it’s increasingly likely that chiropractors are already treating these patients. What’s missing is structured recognition, comprehensive management and targeted tools to slow progression, improve function and support systemic health.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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