The Georgia Council of Chiropractic, The Georgia Chiropractic Association and Life University, in order to develop a “Unity of Purpose” and a strong working relationship in the state of Georgia, embarked upon a project to develop a common, agreed upon definition of chiropractic.  The resulting document was signed by the Presidents of the organizations, and those members of the committee who had worked together to finalize the language.

The document reads as follows:

THE FOUNDATIONAL TENETS OF CHIROPRACTIC

We embrace the concept that chiropractic philosophy, chiropractic science, chiropractic art, chiropractic technique, chiropractic diagnosis and spinal subluxation complex denote areas of ongoing research, continuing intra- and inter-professional dialogue and growing understanding.

We embrace the philosophy that life is intelligent.  The human body possesses the inherent potential to maintain itself in a natural state of homeostasis through its innate, inborn intelligence.

We maintain that the science of chiropractic emphasizes the relationship between structure, primarily of the spinal column, and the nervous system, and how that relationship affects function and health. Implicit within this statement are the significance of the nervous system to health and the effect of the spinal subluxation complex upon the whole body.

We hold that all chiropractors should recognize the value of all phases of patient care, including condition-based care, health care and developmental care, as well as both therapeutic and non-therapeutic approaches to patient care.  Individual chiropractors may choose to focus on one phase of patient care, one demographic segment of the patient population or one area of chiropractic expertise.  They may also choose to become a certified specialist in one particular facet of chiropractic.  Such specialization should require advanced, post-graduate education.

We recognize that:
·         The primary clinical objective of chiropractic is the enhancement of human health through the adjustment of the subluxation, and that;
·         Diagnostic expertise in chiropractic should focus on differential diagnosis of spinal subluxation complex, with other conditions assessed at a level of diagnosis appropriate for chiropractic management, or intra- and inter-professional referral, (referential diagnosis), and that;
·         Spinal subluxation complex involves at the least biomechanical and related neurological dysfunction, and that;
·         “Adjustment” in chiropractic refers to a specific spinal manipulation directed toward the objective of the reduction or correction of spinal subluxation or extra-spinal subluxation complex .

We recognize that core chiropractic competencies include:
Patient assessment, diagnosis, adjustment, patient education, management, referral, and co-management.

We maintain that chiropractic care incorporates the use of diagnostic and adjustive procedures when indicated, including some or all of the following:

• Patient history
• Physical examination
• Examination for spinal or extra-spinal subluxation complex
• Biomechanical functional assessment
• Laboratory and imaging studies
• Spinal and/or extremity adjustment
• Chiropractic case management
• Spinal Hygiene
• Patient education
• Participation in coordinated care

We maintain that chiropractic care focuses primarily on the chiropractic adjustment.  Procedures ancillary to this and the other core chiropractic competencies are and should remain optional components of the practice of chiropractic.

These ancillary procedures may include some or all of the following:

• Physiotherapy
• Spinal/extremity manipulation
• Nutritional supplementation
• Exercise/rehabilitation

This list is not intended to be inclusive of all services ancillary to chiropractic that may fall within the scope of chiropractic licensure of a particular jurisdiction.

We hold that the conservative essence of the practice of chiropractic is not consistent with the performance of surgery or prescribing, administering, or dispensing of pharmaceuticals.

We further hold that the full spectrum of chiropractic practice from broad-scope to focused-scope will be defended equally, vigorously and pro-actively in order to protect the rights of all chiropractors to practice in the manner and method they deem appropriate within the law.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome and are very much appreciated.