CHIROPRACTIC PARADIGM / SCOPE & PRACTICE

BYLAWS

CHIROPRACTIC PARADIGM [ CLICK HERE FOR CHIROPRACTIC SCOPE AND PRACTICE ]

1.0 PREAMBLE

The Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) is committed to affirming the profession by addressing issues facing chiropractic education. The ACC brings together a wide range of perspectives on chiropractic and is uniquely positioned to help define the chiropractic role within health care.

The ACC is committed to greater public service through reaching consensus on the following issues which are important to the chiropractic profession:

  • continued enhancement of educational curricula;
  • strengthening chiropractic research,
  • participating and providing leadership in the development of health care policy,
  • fostering relationships with other health care providers,
  • affirming professional confidence and conduct, and
  • increasing public awareness regarding the benefits of chiropractic care.

The member Colleges of the ACC represent a broad diversity of institutional missions. The presidents have drafted a consensus statement that includes the following:

  • the ACC position on chiropractic,
  • a representation of the chiropractic paradigm, and
  • clarification regarding the definition and clinical management of the subluxation.

Additional statements will be forthcoming as the ACC continues to provide meaning and substance regarding what is taught in chiropractic colleges and how this information influences the present and future of the profession.

2.0 ACC POSITION ON CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.

The Association of Chiropractic Colleges continues to foster a unique, distinct chiropractic profession that serves as a health care discipline for all. The ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.

3.0 THE CHIROPRACTIC PARADIGM (REFER TO DIAGRAM ABOVE)

PURPOSE
The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health.

PRINCIPLE
The body’s innate recuperative power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system.

PRACTICE
The practice of chiropractic includes:

  • establishing a diagnosis,
  • facilitating neurological and biomechanical integrity through appropriate chiropractic case management; and
  • promoting health.

FOUNDATION
The foundation of chiropractic includes philosophy, science, art, knowledge, and clinical experience.

IMPACTS
The chiropractic paradigm directly influences the following:

  • education;
  • research;
  • health care policy and leadership;
  • relationships with other health care providers;
  • professional stature;
  • public awareness and perceptions; and
  • patient health through quality care.

4.0 THE SUBLUXATION

Chiropractic is Concerned with the preservation and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the subluxation.

A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health.

A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed, and managed through the use of chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational and empirical evidence.

CHIROPRACTIC SCOPE AND PRACTICE [ CLICK HERE FOR CHIROPRACTIC PARADIGM ]

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) brings together a wide range of perspectives on chiropractic and is uniquely positioned to help define the chiropractic role within health care. in Position Paper #1 (July 1996), the ACC presidents described the practice of chiropractic within the chiropractic paradigm to include:

  • establishing a diagnosis;
  • facilitating neurological and biomechanical integrity through appropriate chiropractic case management; and
  • promoting health.

As part of its on-going commitment to affirming the profession by addressing issues facing chiropractic education, the ACC presidents have drafted a consensus statement on chiropractic scope and practice.

ACC member colleges educate students for the competent practice of chiropractic. These academic institutions have a direct interest in the definition of the chiropractic scope and practice. Clarity on chiropractic scope and practice will:

  • enhance the consistency and excellence of educational outcomes,
  • contribute to a better understanding of chiropractic education and practice, both within the profession and by the public; and
  • provide direction to the profession for the advancement of chiropractic.

This second position paper includes:

  • definition of the chiropractic scope; and
  • a description of the practice of chiropractic with respect to diagnosis, case management, and health promotion.

2.0 DEFINING CHIROPRACTIC SCOPE

Since human function is neurologically integrated, Doctors of Chiropractic evaluate and facilitate biomechanical and neuro-biological function and integrity through the use of appropriate conservative, diagnostic and chiropractic care procedures.

Therefore, direct access chiropractic care is integral to everyone’s health care regimen.

3.0 DEFINING CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE

A. DIAGNOSTIC

Doctors of Chiropractic, as primary contact health care providers, employ the education, knowledge, diagnostic skill, and clinical judgment necessary to determine appropriate chiropractic care and management.

Doctors of Chiropractic have access to diagnostic procedures and /or referral resources as required.

B. CASE MANAGEMENT

Doctors of Chiropractic establish a doctor/patient relationship and utilize adjustive and other clinical procedures unique to the chiropractic discipline. Doctors of Chiropractic may also use other conservative patient care procedures, and, when appropriate, collaborate with and/or refer to other health care providers.

C. HEALTH PROMOTION

Doctors of Chiropractic advise and educate patients and communities in structural and spinal hygiene and healthful living practices