Point-Counterpoint: Chiropractic Injections

Should chiropractors across the U.S. be given, with training, the ability to give chiropractic injections to patients containing non-drug vitamins and minerals?

CHIROPRACTIC INJECTIONS: POINT

DCs in a handful of states can inject, and more want to

“I am the instructor (30+ years now) of the chiropractic injectable nutrients courses in those states with that authority…I have trained several thousand DC’s over those years including, but not limited to Oklahoma, Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico. Advanced Practice as it pertains to the injectable nutrients portion (including advanced laboratory diagnosis and targeted oral nutritional medicine recs), as well as numerous other states as part of the chiropractic internist training (Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists)… Oklahoma has had the nutrient injection statutory authority since 1981 (the first state to do so)…Along with appropriately delivered chiropractic adjustments, the combination has been proven to help patients get off their allopathically prescribed meds where appropriate up to at least 70% of the time. The results are absolutely amazing…Remember, that the chiropractic adjustment is the foundation of our beloved healing art, however it is not necessarily ALSO the ceiling.”

— M. Taylor, DC, DABCI, APC, FICC

“I think we should be able to use injectable nutrients after proper training and passing testing to insure competency…It is well-known some nutrients like vitamin C can be more effective in larger doses by being injected in order to bypass the digestive system.”

— S. Bennett, DC

“Of course. I specialize in pain management and am able to provide significant pain relief using chiropractic AND prolotherapy or trigger point injections WHEN APPROPRIATE…The focus should always be on the patient. In New Mexico, we’ve learned to live in one community, each offering his expertise. Philosophy should never be a burden or an entrapment, but a guide and a stepping stone for looking beyond tradition for the good of the patient.”

— S. Perlstein, DC

“Short answer is YES. Chiropractic as a profession has been stagnant…We are trained in areas of health and are most capable to expanding our scope to offer services related to what we do… Perception is important and the ability to prescribe and or give chiropractic injections is very powerful as a physician and as a profession. The profession needs to move to the next level.”

— South Florida Medical & Wellness Clinic

CHIROPRACTIC INJECTIONS: COUNTERPOINT

‘If you want to give shots join a profession that does…’

“Chiropractors have no training in giving injections. That was not on my boards. This is an issue of economics. Adding an additional revenue stream is always welcomed. However, doing the training and accepting responsibility for what was done is a separate issue. Chiropractors in TX have lost the ability to do EMGs. This wasn’t taught in school and even in neuro diplomate as I understand. Bottom line, if you want to get something included in you licensure it needs to be taught in the mainstream. If vitamin shots are a part of the profession then the issue should be presented to the NBCE. You remember them. When is the last time you checked in on them? Most tend to forget about them after passing the exams. They produce a report called practice analysis of chiropractic every five years. The 2020 report shows 89.9% of chiros never do dry needling…The word injection is not mentioned 1 time in this 154 page document. So my opinion is if you want to do shots join a profession that includes injections like nursing…or become a naturopath. Or maybe convince the NBCE to change their definition of the profession and start standardized training.”

— A. Jones, DC

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