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.
