The Sievert Clinic - Chiropractic - Facts About Chiropractic

There are approximately 65,000 doctors of chiropractic in the United States and another 20,000 around the world. According to recent surveys, there has been a significant increase in the utilization of chiropractic health care by the general population. The growth pattern indicates that the figures will increase substantially in the next decade.

All 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have statutes recognizing and regulating the practice of chiropractic as an independent health service.

Board-qualified and licensed chiropractors are entitled by law to use the title "Doctor of Chiropractic," "D.C." and/or "Chiropractic Physician".

Chiropractic health care is provided for in such federal programs as Medicare, the Government Employees Hospital Association Benefit Plan, The Mailhandlers Benefit Plan, and the Postmasters Benefit Plan.

State Medicaid Acts in most states include doctors of chiropractic as primary health providers.

Chiropractic benefits are provided for in health insurance policies of virtually every major insurance carrier, State Workers' Compensation Program, and the Federal Employee's Compensation Act (FECA). A substantial number of major international, national and local labor unions provide chiropractic services in their health and welfare plans, as do many major industrial employers; A high percentage of managed care organizations in the United States, estimated at 75%, cover chiropractic services. The various managed care plans have a wide range of coverage benefits depending on the employer, insurance company, union contract or particular health care benefit plan.

All Federal agencies accept sick-leave certificates signed by doctors of chiropractic, and fees paid to doctors of chiropractic are allowable deductions as expenses for "medical care" for Federal income tax purposes.

The typical doctor of chiropractic's training includes an eight-year program of undergraduate and professional college study and clinic internship prior to entering private practice. The areas of science studied are those pertinent to the health care of human beings, including diagnosis, anatomy, bacteriology, pathology, physiology, biochemistry, pediatrics, geriatrics, spinal manipulation, x-ray, nutrition, physical therapeutics and many other appropriate subjects.

The professional accrediting agency for chiropractic colleges is the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).The Accrediting Commission of the CCE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). It is included in the Department's list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations. The G.I. Bill of Rights covers education in chiropractic colleges for qualified veterans.

Wide acceptance and a rapidly increasing population make the future of chiropractic optimistic. There is a changing model of health care emerging from a disease model to a wellness model. Chiropractic is a non-drug and non-surgical health profession. Career opportunities are plentiful for young men and women desiring to enter chiropractic.

The chiropractic profession adheres to a standard of ethics. Members of national professional associations, as well as state associations, are provided with a code of ethics. The public should expect and demand high professional standards.