News from Overseas
By Professor Andries Kleynhans

Because of exciting developments, this edition primarily relates to Chiropractic in the USA. In the next edition there should be much about Japan and the WFC Conference.

INTERESTING PUBLICATIONS

Journal of the American Chiropractic Association
A few highlights from the May, 2003 issue.

Chiropractic Diagnostic Instruments
This article examines the diagnostic instruments the typical doctor of chiropractic needs, and how complex and computerized they need to be.     

Internal Carotid Artery Dissection Following Chiropractic Manipulation: Clinical Features and Mechanisms of Injury
While the medical literature contends that cervical chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) may cause internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD), the authors of this article conclude that the relationship between ICAD and CMT remains tenuous, and a causal relationship is not supported by the literature.

British Medical Journal about Manual Therapy
A reporter from WebMD contacted the ACA as the British Medical Journal prepared to publish a study on April 25 showing that manual therapy is more cost effective than traditional therapy for neck pain.  While the study did not focus on the core of chiropractic (spinal adjustment/manipulation), it did indicate that manual, low-velocity, passive movements, which can be provided by chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists, are more effective and less costly for treating neck pain than care by a general practitioner. The editors of the British Medical Journal text also warmly opened the doors for further contact with the ACA and welcomed further chiropractic research sources. 4-30-03

Dallas Morning News
An article with a positive story about the growing mainstream acceptance of chiropractic care ran in the Sunday, February 16, issue of the Dallas Morning News, featured ACA National Spokesperson Jerome McAndrews, DC, and a doctor of chiropractic from the Texas Back Institute.  The Dallas Morning News’ Sunday edition has a circulation of nearly 800,000.

INTERESTING EVENTS

Dr. Meeker at the Smithsonian Institute
The Smithsonian’s Associate magazine has indicated that Dr. Bill Meeker will be the speaker for a program titled “Manipulative and Body-based Therapies: Chiropractic and Spinal Manipulation” at the Smithsonian Institution’s six-session “Complementary and Alternative Medicine, from Acupuncture to Yoga,” sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health.  Dr. Meeker will appear May 12.

Chiropractic in Community Health Centres in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas in rural and urban settings
There are about 800 centres across the USA that are deemed eligible to participate in a demonstration project.  It is unclear however, which of these centers would be interested in offering chiropractic care.  ACA’s Government Relations team and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges have been involved in discussions with Department of Health and Human Services and the National Association of Community Health Centers.  Their goal is to link as many interested DCs with as many interested facilities as possible in the next few weeks. 

USA CHIROPRACTIC INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS

Health Tips in Response to Obesity Epidemic
ACA and public health officials across the USA used National Public Health Week, April 7-13, to call attention to the prevalence of obesity among Americans.

A news release was distributed over the wire on Monday, April 7, titled “American Chiropractic Association Responds to Epidemic of Obesity in the United States.” 

The release included lifestyle and nutrition tips from the ACA.  Efforts such as these help to place doctors of chiropractic as health and wellness experts in the eyes of the public.  To see ACA’s National Public Health Week news release, visit: www.acatoday.com/hot_topics/040703.shtml