By Terry A. Rondberg, DC

Chiropractic’s first century was an exciting one, filled with struggles and victories, setbacks and progress. Its evolution from D.D. Palmer’s first adjustment to its current status as the third largest primary healthcare field has accelerated in recent years and its future has never looked brighter.

No longer are chiropractors jailed for “practicing medicine without a license.” Instead, they serve on important health committees and commissions throughout the world. No longer is the concept of innate intelligence widely ridiculed or ignored. Instead, scientists and researchers are proving what chiropractors have known for more than a hundred years.

The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) is proud to have witnessed and taken part in this development since its formation in 1989 as a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening subluxation-based chiropractic around the world.

At times in our history many feared that the unique character of the profession was being destroyed in favor of a more medically oriented model. Some leaders even urged chiropractors to give up the concept of subluxation correction entirely, fearing it would prevent us from gaining acceptance with the medical establishment.

For many years, students who graduated from conservative colleges were not permitted to take the licensing exams in many states and state boards often harassed doctors who chose to practice subluxation-centered chiropractic.

The WCA was founded in hopes of promoting and protecting the more traditional chiropractic purpose, while at the same time encouraging a “live and let live” attitude.

With its foundation we hoped to show that all doctors of chiropractic could work in harmony for the good of patients everywhere.

Of all the great changes that have taken place in the chiropractic profession since the WCA was founded, I find the increased cooperation between major organizations the most promising.

Over the past two years, the Chiropractic Coalition — consisting of the WCA, the International Chiropractors Association and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations, with more than a dozen affiliate organizations around the world — has demonstrated what can be done when we work together toward shared goals.

The recent Coalition Legislative Day brought some 600 DCs and supporters to Washington in a show of strength and unity that impressed members of Congress and other government officials.

The WCA is proud to have been a part of the Coalition’s legislative efforts, such as the introduction of:

• HR 2560, the “Chiropractic Medicare Freedom and Benefit Protection Act,” which would provide for reimbursement for x-rays and instrumentation, and make subluxation correction the sole domain of chiropractic.

• HR 3476, the “TRICARE” bill (officially known as the “Chiropractic Health Parity For Military Retirees And Dependents” bill), which contains provisions requiring that chiropractic services may be provided by a doctor of chiropractic only, without referral by any other healthcare provider.

• HR 4051, the “Better Access to Chiropractors To Keep Our Veterans Healthy Act,” which would permit direct access to chiropractors in the VA health system.

Even prior to the formation of the Coalition, the World Chiropractic Alliance focused on political action and was instrumental in making sure the bill that allowed chiropractic in the VA system contained a direct reference to subluxation correction.

The WCA was also successful in building strong relationships with key senators and representatives, which resulted in Congressional support of chiropractic. Our work with Rep. Donald Manzullo, for instance, led to the introduction of “Concurrent Resolution 46: Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding chiropractic healthcare benefits.”

This resolution specifically states: “Doctors of chiropractic are the only providers educated and trained to perform chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations, and as such, chiropractic adjustments should be provided only by a licensed doctor of chiropractic,” and “Chiropractic care includes diagnosis, correction, and management of either vertebral subluxations or neuromusculoskeletal conditions performed by a licensed doctor of chiropractic, and should not include the use of drugs or surgery.”

But lobbying for pro-chiropractic bills is only one of the areas the World Chiropractic Alliance has focused on during the past decade and a half. We have worked hard to make lasting contributions in research as well.

The publication of the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research has led to greater understanding of the role of subluxation correction in total health and wellness. Our public relations efforts have made that research accessible to the entire population and generated positive public relations for our profession. A series of research studies into chiropractic and fertility was covered by the news media throughout the nation.

The growth of the WCA has been a reflection of the chiropractic profession as a whole. We have expanded in both size and influence because we mirror the profession’s increased interest in and devotion to the founding principles of chiropractic, to the spirit of B.J. and the pioneers who followed in his footsteps.

I’ve seen this trend in the field and in our colleges. Everywhere I go, I find doctors and students hungry for information about the effect of subluxation on human health. We are embracing the wellness paradigm of the 21st century and recognize that we are in the ideal position to lead the wellness movement.

The world is “catching up” to chiropractic and that’s an exciting and challenging prospect for all of us. The chiropractic profession may have veered off course for a while, but together we are steering back to our original heading. That’s bound to produce a few rough moments since some still want to force the profession down the medical path. But if we keep our destination in sight, I’m confident we can make it.

Terry Rondberg, DC, is president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, www. worldchiropracticalliance.org.