On Jan. 24 1978, the New Zealand governor-general referred to a Commission of Inquiry an investigation to determine the desirability of providing for reimbursement of chiropractic benefits under the New Zealand Social Security Act and the New Zealand Accident Compensation Act. The commission was directed to consider:
The Commission of Inquiry was extremely thorough, visiting New Zealand chiropractic and physical therapy offices, Canadian and U.S. chiropractic colleges (Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, National University of Health Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic and Southern California University of Health Sciences), medical associations and government agencies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
After 93 days of hearings, on Oct. 5, 1979 the commission released Chiropractic in New Zealand: Report of the Commission of Inquiry to the New Zealand House of Representatives.
Two attorneys represented the New Zealand Chiropractic Association before the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry. One of those attorneys was Mr. David Chapman-Smith, best known as the founding secretary general of the World Federation of Chiropractic from 1989-2014.
In a rare presentation at the Centenary Conference of the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Mr. Chapman-Smith recounted the drama and strategy executed by the New Zealand DCs and their patients, which culminated in the critical findings of the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry that impacted the future of chiropractic worldwide for decades to come.
This presentation is a must-view for every doctor and student to understand this milestone in chiropractic’s path to acceptance. It is available at: chiropracticreport.com/david/nz_david_chapman-smith.mp4.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Chapman-Smith’s discussion of the professional and global impact of the commission’s findings can be found at approximately the 58-minute mark of the video.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
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?
