Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher
"Educational institutions become the caretakers and purveyors of professional wisdom and bear the burden of providing the infrastructure upon which the profession examines itself through investigation and research." – Reed Phillips, DC, PhD, 2000, when president of LACC (now SCUHS)1
"Because we're creating the next generation of practitioners, we have the potential (and responsibility) to educate doctors who will play a larger role in wellness and neurological care. But the milieu in which we operate is changing dramatically and we have to change with it or – even better – ahead of it." – Guy Riekeman, DC, 2013, when president of Life University2
In 1896, less than six months after delivering the first chiropractic adjustment, D.D. Palmer obtained his corporate charter for what would eventually become Palmer University. In doing so, he not only found a profession, but also created a model for growth.3
The private college model was pretty much the norm in the United States, but not so much in the rest of the world. Twenty years ago, there were only 16 chiropractic colleges in the U.S., with a few more in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Japan and New Zealand.
Today, the number of colleges in the U.S. has grown to 20, but the number of chiropractic colleges outside the U.S. has grown to 33. There are chiropractic colleges on six continents. And while the U.S. is still home to the greatest concentration of DCs (currently 77,000),4 the increasing number of non-U.S. colleges will likely raise the number of chiropractors globally well beyond the current estimate of 103,000 over the next few decades.
This not only bodes well for the future of the chiropractic profession, but also furthers the mission of our profession to provide chiropractic care to every person on Earth.
What is interesting is that while in the U.S., only a few of the chiropractic programs are attached to previously existing educational institutions, the majority of those outside the U.S. are. Look at the chiropractic colleges / programs leading the revolution:5
Australia
Central Queensland University
Macquarie University
Murdoch University
RMIT University
Brazil
UNIGAMA
Universidade Feevale
Universidade Anhembi Morumbi
UCEFF Chapico
Canada
Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Chile
Universidad Central de Chile
Denmark
Syddansk Universitet Odense
France
Institut Franco-Européen de Chiropratique
Campus de Paris
Campus de Toulouse
Japan
Tokyo College of Chiropractic
Malaysia
International Medical University
Mexico
Universidad Estatal del Valle de Ecatepec
Universidad Estatal del Valle de Toluca
Universidad Veracruzana
New Zealand
New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Puerto Rico
Universidad Central del Caribe – Doctor of Chiropractic Program
South Africa
Durban University of Technology
University of Johannesburg
Spain
Barcelona College of Chiropractic
Madrid College of Chiropractic – RCU
Sweden
Skandinaviska Kiropraktorhögskolan
Switzerland
University of Zurich
Turkey
BahçeSehir Üniversity – Chiropractic Program
United Kingdom
AECC University College
London South Bank University
McTimoney College of Chiropractic
Teesside University
University of South Wales – Welsh Institute of Chiropractic
Author's Note: It is possible that I left some chiropractic colleges / programs off the above list. If so, my sincere apologies.
Chiropractic is becoming a force in health care globally, sparking revolutions as consumers discover wellness without the drugs and surgery they have been lead to believe is their only choice. Just think how health care will change in the next 100 years because you and many other DCs have introduced chiropractic to millions in need.
References
Phillips R. "Chiropractic Colleges - Do We Need More?" Dynamic Chiropractic, Aug.18, 2000. Read Here
Riekeman G. "Making the Grade: Can Our Chiropractic Colleges Adapt to a Changing Landscape?" Dynamic Chiropractic, Feb. 15, 2013. Read Here
Keating Jr. J. "Milestones in the History of Chiropractic." Dynamic Chiropractic, July 16, 2006. Read Here
Practice Analysis of Chiropractic 2020. National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. 2020.
Chiropractic Educational Institutions. World Federation of Chiropractic.
Read more findings on my blog: http://blog.toyourhealth.com/ wrblog. You can also visit me on Facebook and Twitter (donpetersenjr, @donaldpetersen).
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?
Some pundits say that the upcoming presidential and congressional races, and many local races, might be the most consequential in our country’s history. We do not have the choice of sitting on the sidelines and hoping our patients will carry our water. Unlike other medical professions such as physical therapists, podiatrists, nurses, etc., the health care class (AMA) will not protect us. We must be in the game.
The most common condition affecting the shoulder is rotator-cuff disease. From acute tears to chronic tendinopathy, it’s common and needs a thorough workup. In fact, even asymptomatic shoulders can have full-thickness rotator-cuff rears in up to 40% of instances. Let’s look at additional conditions that can present to the office with weakness, loss of motion and pain in the shoulder beyond rotator-cuff tears.
