Dynamic Chiropractic

This article presents a compelling case that lifelong learning is no longer optional but is essential for the future relevance and survival of the chiropractic profession. In a rapidly changing healthcare world, failing to continuously learn poses serious risks, including diminished patient care, reduced professional opportunities, and a loss of credibility for the profession as a whole. While chi...

UnitedHealth Group has announced a significant policy change that will benefit both chiropractors and their patients. By the end of 2026, its subsidiary, UnitedHealthcare, will eliminate prior authorization (PA) requirements for chiropractic care, along with numerous other healthcare services. This move is part of a broader effort to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens that ofte...

This article offers a critical analysis of the merger between the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). The author, a long-time observer, acknowledges the organizational logic behind the merger, as the FCLB has long been financially dependent on the much wealthier NBCE. However, significant concerns are raised about potential ab...

This article introduces chiropractors to the concept of blood zeta potential, the electrostatic charge on red blood cells (RBCs) that is crucial for healthy microcirculation. A strong negative charge causes RBCs to repel each other, allowing for smooth blood flow and optimal oxygen delivery. However, factors common in many patients—such as high sugar intake, dehydration, and systemic inflammation—...

This article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming chiropractic documentation, shifting the focus from merely speeding up note-taking to ensuring financial stability and audit readiness. While faster notes are a benefit, the real value of AI lies in closing the "documentation-to-claim gap"—the inconsistencies and omissions that lead to claim denials and administrative rework. T...

This article argues that the initial patient consultation is the most crucial part of the entire patient journey in a chiropractic office. The author contends that this is the moment where trust and connection, the bedrock of any successful doctor-patient relationship, are forged. Patients are essentially interviewing the doctor, and a common mistake is for practitioners to lead with ego, creating...

This compelling case study details the successful chiropractic treatment of a 7-week-old infant, born five weeks premature, who was suffering from severe feeding dysfunction and digestive distress. The baby was unable to breastfeed and could barely take a bottle, relying almost entirely on a nasogastric (NG) tube. The chiropractic examination revealed significant cranial and spinal pattern imbalan...

This article provides a vital update for chiropractors regarding Medicare's HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System (HETS), the electronic portal used for verifying patient eligibility. While a recent deadline caused some concern, the author clarifies it does not impact claim submission or payment. Instead, the changes are critical for maintaining ongoing access to electronic eligibility verification...

This article advocates for a modern, evidence-based approach to core training for low back pain rehabilitation, arguing against traditional exercises like crunches and sit-ups. These movements primarily engage global prime movers like the rectus abdominis and can increase harmful compression on lumbar discs. Instead, the focus should be on selectively activating and strengthening the deep intrinsi...

With allegations of sexual misconduct on the rise, this article provides chiropractors with crucial, proactive strategies to protect themselves, their practice, and their patients. It emphasizes that even an unfounded allegation can have a devastating professional and personal impact. The core of risk management lies in maintaining strict professional boundaries. This includes refraining from soci...

Drawing from years of experience, a veteran chiropractor offers five essential pieces of advice for new doctors entering the profession. First, he urges them not to skimp on insurance, emphasizing the need for property and casualty coverage in addition to malpractice, as patient falls and other accidents can happen. Second, he encourages new DCs to take basic life support (CPR) training seriously,...

This news roundup provides several key updates for the chiropractic profession. Firstly, Dr. Gilles LaMarche of Life University is advancing the profession's role in national health policy by submitting three influential white papers to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Action Media Hub. These papers argue for the essential economic and clinical value of chiropractic care. Secondly, in a signi...

The landmark merger of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) has received official approval from delegates at their joint annual meetings. The newly formed organization will operate under the NBCE name, with the FCLB functioning as a department within it and retaining representation on the expanded board. This strategic conso...

The current continuing-education (CE) system for chiropractors is fragmented, inefficient, and holding the profession back. While intended to ensure competence, it has devolved into a costly, box-checking exercise bogged down by regulatory roadblocks. The author highlights how the same educational program can face inconsistent approval processes across different states, not due to content quality...

This article provides a practical update on the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) form, which has been revised by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is now valid through March 2029. The author clarifies the specific use of this crucial document in a chiropractic office. An ABN is required when a Medicare-covered service—specifically spinal manipulation (CMT)—is expected to b...

To improve efficiency, safety, and patient engagement, this article advocates for a systematic, 7-point checklist for daily patient visits. Drawing parallels to checklists in other industries, the author details a structured approach to each encounter. The seven points are: 1) Assess Pain using standardized tools like the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the PEG scale. 2) Evaluate Improvement...

This article explores piriformis syndrome as a prime example of myogenic pseudo-radiculopathy, where muscle dysfunction mimics nerve root compression symptoms. Patients often present with buttock and posterior thigh pain that resembles lumbar radiculopathy, yet the symptoms lack a consistent dermatomal pattern and are not associated with objective neurological deficits. The piriformis muscle, a de...

This article presents a compelling case study that underscores the importance of a thorough differential diagnosis for headaches. A 35-year-old female patient reported sharp headaches that occurred exclusively when she was watching movies in a theater. She also suffered from more frequent, dull cervicogenic headaches related to a past whiplash injury. Initial chiropractic treatment, including cerv...

This article sounds an alarm about the calculated and sophisticated assault on independent chiropractic by corporate medicine. Driven by a relentless focus on return on investment (ROI), large healthcare corporations are acquiring chiropractic practices to use them as referral gateways for more profitable services like pain management and surgery. They lure chiropractors with high salaries and pro...

This article focuses on the clinical progression from post-concussion syndrome (PCS) to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a motor-vehicle accident (MVA). It explains that PCS, a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), can result from blunt-force trauma or acceleration-deceleration forces causing diffuse axonal injury, often without visible head trauma. PCS is diagnosed when concu...

Despite strong scientific evidence supporting chiropractic for low back pain, a significant awareness gap persists among the public. This article highlights the work of Dr. Christine Goertz, a distinguished chiropractor and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine, who is dedicated to closing this gap. Dr. Goertz has not only published landmark studies, including a highly cited trial in JA...

This case study illustrates the effective chiropractic management of a complex post-surgical patient. A 52-year-old female presented with worsening neck and scapular pain six years after receiving a C5-C6 cervical disc replacement. Her situation was complicated by two factors: imaging confirmed a minor anterior migration of the prosthesis, and the specific implant had been recalled by the FDA due...

This article serves as a stark reminder to chiropractors about the pervasive issue of polypharmacy in the United States. Citing alarming statistics, it highlights that a vast majority of patients are likely taking multiple prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Nearly two-thirds of adults have used a drug in the past week, and over a quarter of all medical visits result in five or more pres...

This article describes a transformative approach to chiropractic education at the University of Pittsburgh, where students are immersed in clinical environments from their very first week. This model starkly contrasts with traditional programs that sequester students in labs and libraries for years before any patient contact. By participating in rotations through chiropractic offices, physical the...

The chiropractic profession gathered at Life University to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Guy F. Riekeman, a visionary leader and former chancellor of both Life University and the Palmer University System. The memorial service celebrated his more than five decades of service and his profound impact on countless lives. Dr. Riekeman’s message, encapsulated in his book "Make Your Life Extraordinary...