Manual therapy providers to meet at Interprofessional Collaborative Spine Conference

Members of the chiropractic, physical therapy and osteopathic professions will come together later this year in the wake of the ongoing U.S. opioid crisis to discuss the use of manual therapy procedures and other non-drug approaches for the treatment of back pain, as well as to identify opportunities for greater interprofessional research and cooperation.

The Interprofessional Spine Conference will take place Nov. 8-9 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and is a collaborative effort of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) and the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT). The event will feature lectures, panel discussions and opportunities for professional networking.

Presentations will focus on clinical topics such as the effectiveness and safety of thrust vs. non-thrust manual therapy methods, implementing guidelines and evidence in practice, the use of outcome measures for continuous clinical improvement, and the development of interprofessional care pathways. Issues relevant to patient access such as the cost-effectiveness of manual therapy vs. pharmacological treatment, value-based health care and new models of reimbursement will also be examined.

“The American Chiropractic Association is honored to be a part of this historic event, designed to promote greater engagement and information sharing among the major providers of manual therapy,” said ACA President Robert C. Jones, DC. “Back pain is one of the most common conditions for which opioids are prescribed; increasing understanding and collaboration among providers who offer non-drug treatments will be a benefit to patients.”

For more information on the Interprofessional Collaborative Spine Conference, visit the ACA website at acatoday.org/ICSC.

About the American Chiropractic Association

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is the largest professional chiropractic organization in the United States. ACA attracts the most principled and accomplished chiropractors, who understand that it takes more to be called an ACA chiropractor. We are leading our profession in the most constructive and far-reaching ways — by working hand in hand with other health care professionals, by lobbying for pro-chiropractic legislation and policies, by supporting meaningful research and by using that research to inform our treatment practices. We also provide professional and educational opportunities for all our members and are committed to being a positive and unifying force for the practice of modern chiropractic. To learn more, visit acatoday.org, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.