Financial pressure, enrollment declines and institutional challenges are emerging at several U.S. chiropractic colleges. Life Chiropractic College West's and Life University's struggles may be the most talked about but appear to be part of a larger story. And with recent USDE requirements threatening to hamstring federal student financing for DC degree programs, chiropractic education is facing questions for which it has no immediate answers.
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A recent survey of DCs regarding cannabidiol (CBD) / hemp oil provides food for thought as to the viability of CBD-based products as a component of chiropractic patient care. Here are some observations from the executive summary of the survey:
Almost one in four DCs have used a CBD / hemp oil topical product for self-care and report it worked great. Another 10 percent have used such a product and believe it worked as well as a non-CBD topical. Almost 40 percent have not tried a CBD / hemp oil topical yet, but expect to do so.
Nearly a quarter (23 percent) currently use or offer CBD / hemp oil topicals to their patients. More than half are considering offering topical products (56 percent) and sublingual / ingestible products (58 percent).
Almost 60 percent of respondents believe "CBD / hemp oil has health benefits beyond topical pain relief," (34 percent "very true," 26 percent "somewhat true"). When asked what they use or would use CBD / hemp oil sublingual / ingestible products for, inflammation (72 percent), anxiety (61 percent), insomnia (47 percent), PTSD (46 percent) and immune / autoimmune issues (35 percent) were the top choices.
Most DCs believe CBD / hemp oil products have health benefits beyond topical pain relief (59 percent) and are the latest advance in addressing topical pain (57 percent). Only 20 percent believe they are a fad.
Source: MPA Media / DC CBD / Hemp Oil Survey. Completed May 1, 2018.