Dr. Perry Nickelston, a 1997 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, practices in Ramsey, N.J., serving as clinical director of the Pain Laser Center and focusing on performance enhancement, corrective exercise and metabolic fitness nutrition. He has been a regular contributor to DC for several years and writes for various other industry trade publications dedicated to health and fitness.
Dr. Nickelston has been involved in the fitness industry for more than 20 years and is currently in the process of publishing several books on health, fitness and laser therapy.
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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