Since the early days of the profession, chiropractors have sought to organize themselves into Groups or associations to represent their interest. [1]
The following ten organizations or associations all include within their membership chiropractors or chiropractic bodies representing the profession in many different countries. [2]
1. FEDERATION OF STRAIGHT CHIROPRACTORS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations is an American professional organization located in Pennsylvania, originally founded in Kansas in 1979. Its’ members are chiropractors from across the USA and around the rest of the world who are committed to preserving chiropractic as a distinct profession; separate from any other health care field. Practicing chiropractors, researchers, students and chiropractic college faculty and administrators are all members of this organization. The members are graduates of a wide array of chiropractic colleges and practice with a broad range of techniques and fee structures.
The objectives of the Federation are to assist straight chiropractors in any legal way that is practical; to promote, protect and advance straight chiropractic and to facilitate the public access to and knowledge of the services of straight chiropractic.
Straight Chiropractic is a non-therapeutic primary portal of entry health care profession whose primarily concern is the detection and correction of vertebral subluxation via adjustment and does not ’mix‘ other types of therapies. It is based in an evolving philosophy and science and is practiced as an art [3].
Contact Information:
2276 Wassergass Road Hellertown, PA 1805.
Phone: (800) 521-9856.
Link: http://www.straightchiropractic.com/
http://www.ifcochiro.org/index.php
2. CONGRESS OF CHIROPRACTIC STATE ASSOCIATIONS
The Congress of Chiropractic State Associations was established in Wichita, Kansas, USA in 1969. It is a non-profit organization consisting of state chiropractic associations with the mission of promoting a more unified profession for chiropractors. Goals to support this mission are established each year at the annual board planning meeting. Moreover the purpose of the Congress is to cooperate with other organizations in the advancement of natural health and Chiropractic, to assure that Chiropractic attains its rightful place in the healing arts and to initiate, encourage, and support programs and projects for the advancement of the Chiropractic profession. A major achievement of the Congress has been to promote unity in the profession via the “National Chiropractic Leadership Forum” which helps promote shared goals and visions for the profession. The Congress also has a resource centre to help members with business management and public relations efforts.
The Congress is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors consisting of a President, Immediate Past President, 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and one director from each of the five Congress districts. [4].
Contact Information:
12531 E. Meadow Dr. Wichita, KS 67206.
Phone: (316) 613-3386.
Fax:(316) 633 4455.
Website: cocsa@cocsa.org
Link: http://www.cocsa.org
3. FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION
The Foundation for the Advancement of Chiropractic Education is a non-profit organization founded in Levittown, Pennsylvania in 1982 by Chiropractor, Dr. Joseph B. Strauss. The purpose of the Foundation is to disseminate chiropractic educational material to chiropractors, students and lay people. Those interested in obtaining materials from the foundation can do so readily as material costs are kept low to enhance access. [5].
Contact Information:
Phone: 1-800-397-9722
FACE PO Box 1052
Levittown, PA 19058
Link: http://chiropracticoutsidethebox.com/
4. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the United States’ Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. It was established in October 1998 in Maryland.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is included as a type of CAM by this body under the “manipulative and body-based practices” category. Statistics compiled in 2007 suggest that chiropractic/ osteopathic manipulation is amongst the 10 most common forms of CAM used in the USA. [6].
Contact Information:
NCCAM
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892 USA
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
Link: http://nccam.nih.gov/
5. AMERICAN BACK SOCIETY
The American Back Society (ABS) is focussed on continuing education about spinal problems. It is a medical society, rather than a chiropractic society. Founded in 1982 in California, ABS is a non-profit organization. ABS consists of scientists and health care professionals interested in spinal problems and engages in interdisciplinary forums and discussions to enhance spinal problem care. Membership of ABS is comprised of a wide and diverse group of health care professionals including Orthopaedic Surgeons, Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, Physiatrists, Occupational Medicine, Rheumatologists, Emergency Room Physicians, Primary Care Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians, Psychiatrists, Psychologist, Orthopaedic Medicine, Pain Management, Chiropractic Physicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Acupuncturists, Naturopaths, Exercise Physiologists, Athletic Trainers, Physicians Assistants, and Radiologists [7].
Contact Information:
American back Society
2648 International Blvd., Ste. #401
Oakland , CA 94601
Tel: (510)536-9929
Fax: (510)536-1812
E-Mail: info@americanbacksoc.org
Link: http://www.americanbacksoc.org/
6. COUNCIL ON CHIROPRACTIC GUIDELINES AND PRACTICE PARAMETERS
The Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) was founded in 1995 in Lexington, South Carolina, USA at the behest of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) and with assistance from the American Chiropractic Association, Association of Chiropractic Colleges, Council on Chiropractic Education, Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, Foundation for the Advancement of Chiropractic Sciences, Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, International Chiropractors Association, National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys and the National Institute for Chiropractic Research.
CCGPP’s role is to examine matters relating to the clinic practice of chiropractic in the USA and elsewhere. This includes reviewing clinical guidelines, and best practices. The CCGPP helps to publish and disseminate information that is clinically relevant to practitioners, while reflecting the latest knowledge and research in the field. Samples of such work include the following documents: “Management of chronic spine-related conditions: consensus recommendations of a multidisciplinary panel” and “literature synthesis: chiropractic management of upper extremity pain”.
CCGPP’s mission is three fold: To promote the improvement of the quality of chiropractic services and of the professional reputation of doctors of chiropractic; to promote the intellectual, academic, and clinical integrity of chiropractic practice, practice guidelines and practice parameters developed for the chiropractic profession [8].
Contact information:
CCGPP
P.O. Box 2542
Lexington, SC 29071
803-356-6809
Fax 803.356.6826
Email: ccgpp@sc.rr.com
Link: http://www.ccgpp.org/articles.htm
7. AMERICAN CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION (ACA)
Based in Arlington, Virginia, the ACA is the largest professional association in the world representing doctors of chiropractic.
Its mission is to preserve, protect, improve and promote the chiropractic profession and the services of Doctors of Chiropractic for the benefit of patients they serve.
The purpose of the ACA is to provide leadership in health care and a positive vision for the chiropractic profession and its natural approach to health and wellness. On behalf of the chiropractic profession, the ACA promotes high standards in professional ethics and quality of treatment and by carrying out a dynamic strategic plan to help ensure the professional growth and success of Doctors of Chiropractic [9].
Contact Information:
1701 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703 276 8800
Link: http://www.acatoday.org/
8. AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC CONSULTANTS (ACCC)
The American College of Chiropractic Consultants (ACCC) was founded in the 1970s in Illinois, USA. The ACCC become a non-profit body in 1980. The ACCC focuses on Quality Assurance (QA) and Utilization Review (UR) processes. It aims to promote the highest standards of QA and UR amongst its’ members. ACCC members provide advisory services to insurance companies and other organisations that use chiropractic services. Other services they provide include medical examinations, and risk management consultancy.
ACCC members with accumulated education and experience can undertake examination to become a “Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Consultants” (DABCC). The ACCC and ABCC are associated with one another in the goal of training appropriately qualified chiropractic consultants. [10].
Contact Information:
Telephone: 708-895-3141
Fax:708-895-2268
Postal address:
American College of Chiropractic Consultants
2741 Ridge Rd.
Lansing, IL 60438
708-895-3141 Office
708-895-2268 Fax
E-mail For General ACCC Information:
doccox@sbcglobal.net or ACCC@essex1.com
Link: http://www.accc-chiro.com/
9. THE ACADEMY OF CHIROPRACTIC ORTHOPEDISTS (ACO)
ACO is an independent and international organization which aims to advance the practice of non-surgical orthopedics and improve the quality of academic excellence of the practicing chiropractors. The ACO was formed to promote chiropractic orthopedics not only to the general public but also to the insurance industry and the legal profession. Practicing chiropractic orthopedists are found throughout the world in countries such as Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, France, England and Belgium [11].
The main objectives of the ACO are to assist in the advancement of chiropractic as a science and healing art which are to organize doctors of chiropractic who are interested in the practice of chiropractic orthopedics into postgraduate study classes under the auspices of accredited chiropractic graduate schools, to promote research, study clinics, and investigations in the field of chiropractic orthopedics, to establish ethical and educational standards as requirements for membership in this society. ACO also aims to promote cooperation between their members and insurance companies, governmental agencies, and other professionals such as the lawyers and medical practitioners.
Contact Information:
ACO@dcorthoacademy.com
Link: http://www.dcorthoacademy.com
10. COUNCIL ON CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION AUSTRALASIA (CCEA) INC.
The Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) was officially formed in 2002 in the state of South Australia in Australia. It was formed through the merger of two different organisations, the Australasian Council on Chiropractic Education (ACCE) and the Joint Education Committee of Participating Registration Boards (JEC).
The CCEA acts as an independent and nationally recognised body responsible for ensuring high standards in chiropractic within Australasia. The CCEA conducts inspection, accreditation and continual monitoring of the chiropractic programs in Australasia. They are also are responsible for determining the skills recognition and assessment of chiropractors trained outside of Australasia. CCEA has on-going relationships with other overseas agencies and organisations with similar focus on education [12].
Link: http://www.ccea.com.au
REFERENCES
- Chronology of the American Chiropractic Association, 1922-1930 [Online]. 2009 [cited 2010 Sep]; Available from: URL: http://www.chiro.org
- Hunt RG. Personal Communication; November 2009.
- Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations [Online]. 2009 [cited 2010 Sep]; Available from: URL: http://www.straightchiropractic.com
- Congress of Chiropractic State Associations [Online]. 2009 [cited 2010 Sep]; Available from: URL: http://www.cocsa.org/
- Foundation for the Advancement of Chiropractic Education [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from URL: http://chiropracticoutsidethebox.com/
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from: URL: http://nccam.nih.gov/
- American Back Society [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from: URL: http://www.americanbacksoc.org/
- Council on Chiropractic Guideline and Practice Parameters [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from: URL: http://www.ccgpp.org/articles.htm
- American Chiropractic Association [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from: URL: http://www.acatoday.org/
- American College of Chiropractic Consultants [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from: URL: http://www.accc-chiro.com/
- The Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACO) [Online]. 2009 [cited 2010 Sep]; http://www.dcorthoacademy.com
- Council on Chiropractic Education Australian Inc. [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 Nov]; Available from: URL: http://www.ccea.com.au
