CHiROPRACtiC
chiropractic treatment for back pain, has including chiropractors, can benefit and a wariness of paternalism must be
been widely endorsed, most recently from knowledge they can apply in their the way forward; by involving patients in
through the NICE guidance on the early practices. decision-making a climate of mutual trust
management of persistent low back pain. and respect evolves. Furthermore, from a
Rich diversity has given the chiropractor’s perspective the attainment
Chiropractic delivers a package of chiropractic profession its colour of patient independence and a return to
care and vibrancy a normal lifestyle heralds a successful
Yet to associate chiropractic exclusively The BCA identity paper recognises that outcome.
with spinal manipulation is to overlook the chiropractors have different ways of
comprehensive package of care offered practising. Their patient demographics Despite those critics who wish to
by modern practitioners. Far from being vary from children to the elderly, from characterise it as fundamentalist dogma,
a single treatment entity, chiropractic the exceptionally fit to the remarkably the practice of most BCA chiropractors
delivers a package of care which can sedentary. The BCA opposes restricting reflects a dynamic, NICE-compliant
include a range of manual therapies, the scope of practice of chiropractors, attitude to patient care. It is receptive
dry needling (acupuncture), exercise yet recognises that there are boundaries. to an integrated approach to patient
prescription and lifestyle advice. Many It actively prohibits unethical practice management, and welcomes approaches
have close working relationships with building or unprofessional marketing to work with other healthcare professionals.
the GP community, who see chiropractic which undermines the integrity of the It is only through seeking unity that
as a valuable resource for those profession. Those limits aside, the BCA chiropractors can expect to achieve
patients seeking rapid assessment and supports equality of opportunity and deserved recognition but this requires a
mindset of co-operation and a discarding
Far from being a single treatment entity,
of inter-professional jealousy. The
opportunities for the chiropractic profession
chiropractic delivers a package of care
are vast and the BCA is committed to
which can include a range of manual
seizing them with both hands.
therapies, dry needling (acupuncture),
This agenda for change will advance the
exercise prescription and lifestyle advice. BCA, its membership and the patients
they serve. By supporting it, chiropractors
care. In line with best evidence, many diversity and indeed it has been this rich undertake to optimise the care they
chiropractors offer on-site supervised diversity that has given the chiropractic provide and deliver it professionally and
rehabilitation and exercise classes to profession its colour and vibrancy for ethically. Research will drive the engine
improve spinal strength and stamina. This nearly 85 years. and interprofessional collaboration
approach is entirely consistent with the will enhance greater knowledge and
NICE guidance. Chiropractic is no longer Ultimately, the vision and values of the patient outcomes. Finally, by accepting
‘alternative medicine’, but a mainstream profession must be patient-centred. Each the agenda and by committing to its
regulated health profession delivering decision, however, motivated, should be principles, BCA members will operate on
evidence-based care. made with the patient’s best interests a level that its founder could never have
at heart. Respect for patient autonomy imagined. ●
At its annual conference this year, the
BCA membership unanimously endorsed
a paper entitled Vision, Values and BackCare would like to hear from chiropractors about working practice
Identity. This paper represents the future and the different packages of care offered. The organisation is also
direction of the BCA as an organisation interested in chiropractors’ individual experiences of differences
and sets out a range of commitments between patients, and in particular of attitudes towards chiropractic
that will define its progress over the next from within the medical profession and also beyond it. Do your own
decade. Support of the educational experiences correspond to the findings in Richard Brown’s article?
institutions and the delivery of evidence-
based care are integral to this approach, To contact BackCare go to www.backcare.org.uk call 020 8977 5474 or
along with the promotion of a determined write to
and robust research strategy. Such a
strategy must employ collaborative efforts BackCare – the Charity for Healthier Backs
with other agencies and disciplines to 16 Elmtree Road
create an atmosphere of mutual trust Teddington
and endeavour. In this way, the entire TW11 8ST
musculoskeletal research community,
The Backcare Journal 37
backcare Winter 2009/10.indd 37 8/1/10 11:20:23
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