On August 15, 2017, The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) adopted the Choosing Wisely Guidelines. Later, they re-confirmed these guidelines, calling them “strong messages to the rest of healthcare..”. A warning to the profession was released in 2018, regarding these restrictions on the care for patients, stating: “And we’re well into the next phase of aligning the work we do for members to reflect these decisions as well as the direction of modern health care.” In doing so, they essentially created a code of dis-honor for the members of the ACA. This code requires the practicing Doctor of Chiropractic to vow to removing X-rays in the practice of managing the Vertebral Subluxation.
Understanding that the biomechanical alignment of the spine is an inherent part of the Vertebral Subluxation, one can easily surmise that the Vertebral Subluxation cannot be wholly visualized and measured without this useful application of X-rays. Also, understanding that the alignment of the spine is unable to be fully analyzed without a visual tool in a live person, one easily questions the intent of the guidelines. Not only do X-rays allow for proper analysis and thereby care of the spine, but it also allows the practitioner to determine if their care is warranted in the event of conditions beyond the practitioner’s scope of practice.
In adopting these guidelines, the CST feared long-term damage to the profession, limiting proper care of patients throughout the states. Unfortunately, this was partially true. The guidelines have had influence across the globe, as seen recently seen in British Columbia’s regulatory board banning X-rays for evaluation and assessing the Vertebral Subluxation on February 4th, 2021. While the CST is charged with representing Texas Chiropractors, we are not blind to the effect that harmful actions such as these cannot be ignored, no matter their geographical location.
Today, as healthcare is at the forefront of every business across the world, Chiropractors need to be supported by their trade organizations, schools and regulatory boards, thereby allowing more access, better management and thereby better patient outcomes for those in need. Limiting X-rays in practice will have a deteriorative effect, limiting the ability to properly care for the patient. With the spread of Covid-19, and it’s wake of mental anguish, physical inactivity, social deprivation and increased toxin intake; healthcare demand is at a pace to exceed the industry’s supply. Chiropractic care for the purpose of managing the Vertebral Subluxation is an essential need to properly keep patients strong, healthy, and performing.
Chiropractic, in it’s 125 year celebration, finds itself at a pivotal moment. The choice remains with the profession and those who choose to lead. Will Chiropractic choose to follow evidence thoroughly presented in 2018 by Paul A. Oakley, Jerry M. Cuttler, and Deed E. Harrison? Or will the profession allow the destruction of the management of the very item that allows them to be differentiated from medicine?
The Chiropractic Society of Texas chooses the former on behalf of our members, the patients of our members, and all Texans. We continue to reject any restriction to the proper care of the Vertebral Subluxation. Understanding the devastating results of an improperly managed Vertebral Subluxation allows one to unequivocally understand the practice of X-rays in a clinical setting. The CST will continue to support Chiropractors who wish to continue to perform Chiropractic X-rays, as well as reject those who intend to dismantle the Chiropractic profession.
Chiropractically yours,
Scott Kelley DC, MS
President
Royce Barnett DC
Vice President
Paul Queen DC
Secretary
Tiffany Lee DC
Treasurer
Matthew Mix DC, ACP
Past President
