Comments on: Texas: Chiropractic board pulls proposed rule to create specialties in nutrition, neurology

By: Troy Holder, D.C.

Troy Holder, D.C. — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:25:38 +0000

Dr. Berg, you wrote: “Why do chiropractors always have to acquiesce to the medical profession?”

I feel the same way. In fact, there was a post on the ACA listserve e-mail recently showing how physical therapists in Europe had gained prescription rights. And, it was noted how people took that as a step back for us as a profession, because the PT’s got the rights to prescribe. (I don’t want to get into the whole debate as to whether we should have rights to prescribe as well – provided those who did had the post-graduate training) It seems to me that there are many in our profession (and I could be wrong…) that put the MD up on the pedestal; thinking that they are better than us.

And, I completely agree with you, Dr. Painter, on how this situation was handled from their part. Why in the world would you even try to put together specialty programs for the state itself!? There’s already a NATIONAL specialty program in each of those!!!!! They should have immediately consulted with the ACA and ICA.

To go along with Dr. Berg, radiologists is one, but how about the neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis tests? Where the resident MD’s were tested and the STUDENT DC’s were given the same test…who came out on top? DC Students.

I’m sure each of us could go on and on.

By: Russell Berg D.C.

Russell Berg D.C. — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:39:37 +0000

Why do chiropractors always have to acquiesce to the medical profession. That is not what we were built on. Several years ago the SPINE journal compared a study with chiropractic radiologists and medical radiologists. Guess who came up number one? The chiropractic radiologist. We need to stand our ground.

By: Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Frank M. Painter, D.C. — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:03:59 +0000

I award the TCE 4 rotten eggs for their botched handling of this situation. The ACA has maintained diplomate programs in nutrition and neurology for years, and for a State group to think they can create their own accreditation is both shortsighted and disrespectful of diplomate programs. Needless to say, this is the biggest local screw-up since the BCA fiasco. Yup, 4 rotten eggs, and perhaps a fifth, awarded for cowardice in the line of fire!

By: Russell Berg D.C.

Russell Berg D.C. — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:08:28 +0000

Personally, I have been invited by neurologist to participate in roundtable meetings. Believe it or not it was productive for both parties. Why can’t we have specialist? Are we to remain subordinate to the medical profession. If a chiropractor has had the training and receives certification I believe they should be able to called specialist whether it is in neurology or nutrition. I have personally benefited from nutritional counseling that wasn’t from a “nutritionist” and feel that those chiropractors properly trained in nutrition can be a threat to the others and as such try to suppress us just as the AMA has tried to do for years!

By: Troy Holder, DC

Troy Holder, DC — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:06:39 +0000

This seems ludicrous to me. There are already these specialties in Chiropractic!!! And, yes, they are very knowledgeable and those who are diplomates in these specialties DO have a much higher knowledge base than DC’s who have not completed the coursework involved with those diplomate programs. I think the biggest problem here is the ignorance on the part of the TMA and the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Maybe I’m wrong about this, but I feel very strongly that chiropractors who have undergone those programs (and even some who haven’t) are trained adequately to provide nutrition or neurology services safely, as well as, knowing when to make the proper referral.

Case and point: I don’t even have a neurology diplomate, However, in my young career I have already had a case where we found the person had a brain tumor and made the proper referral (The CC: HA’s). It’s already part of our training at chiro college. The TMA and Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics needs to catch up with all the other states.

My two cents.

THDC