An agreement has been reached in the case of Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (TAAOM) v. Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE), cementing the future of chiropractic acupuncture in Texas, says a Texas Chiropractic Association press release.
The plaintiff TAAOM, the association representing the acupuncturists, has agreed not to appeal the decision delivered by a District Court in Travis County. The parties – TAAOM, defendant TBCE and the Texas Chiropractic Association, which served as an intervenor – have settled the case, bringing an end to a decade-long legal battle.
Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer previously ruled in favor of TBCE and TCA, affirming TBCE’s rules regarding chiropractic acupuncture. In this case, TAAOM challenged TBCE, the state agency governing chiropractic, and contended that DCs lacked the education and training to safely perform chiropractic acupuncture. In its arguments, TAAOM claimed that an acupuncture needle was “incisive” and attempted to have dry needling, a treatment technique used by physical therapists, physicians and DCs, banned.
But Judge Soifer’s ruling upheld the right to perform chiropractic acupuncture, delivering a resounding victory for the hundreds of Texas DCs with an acupuncture permit.
“The Texas Chiropractic Association is thrilled that the fight to protect chiropractic acupuncture is officially over,” said TCA President Ryan Bailey, DC, a doctor of chiropractic from Abilene. “Chiropractors have safely performed acupuncture in Texas for decades. TCA firmly believes that chiropractic acupuncture should be in our scope of practice and is pleased that the court agreed. Chiropractors are the leading experts in treating musculoskeletal conditions, and acupuncture remains a valuable tool to alleviate pain.”
TCA was represented in the chiropractic acupuncture trial by the Austin firm of Weisbart Springer Hayes, LLP. Bailey commended Matt Wood, TCA’s legal counsel, for his outstanding work to defend the rights of Texas DCs, as well as TBCE’s legal team.
“TCA’s role is to protect, preserve and promote chiropractic in Texas, and we are proud to be THE voice of all Texas chiropractors,” Bailey said. “The battle to save chiropractic acupuncture took years to achieve, and TCA thanks our members for their ongoing support. This shows what we can do when our community is united.”
About the Texas Chiropractic Association
For over 107 years, the Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA) has served as THE voice of Texas chiropractors. TCA provides protection, state-wide advocacy, information, and education for the more than 7,000 licensed doctors of chiropractic who practice in Texas, and its 1,800+ members.
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