Chiropractic philosophy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chiropractic professional identity (CPI) encompasses diverse values, beliefs, experiences, and philosophies about one's work, specific to the chiropractic profession. Yet currently, there is no instrument available to measure CPI. This study aimed to develop and validate the Chiropractic Professional Identity Embodiment Scale (CPIES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed-methods sequential exploratory design was employed where qualitative inquiry preceded quantitative analysis of survey items conducted in New Zealand in 2022...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) collect and analyze statements about how to celebrate chiropractic in the present and roles that chiropractors may fulfill in the future, (2) identify if there was congruence among the themes between present and future statements, and (3) offer a model about the chiropractic profession that captures its complex relationships that encompass its interactions within microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem levels. METHODS: For this qualitative analysis, we used pattern and grounded theory approaches...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the research priorities of Australian practicing chiropractors and academics across listed research domains and to seek their views on existing chiropractic research strategies. Concurrent objectives were to gain insight into the perspectives on characteristics of research and solicit ideas and suggestions for future research from both groups. METHODS: This study used a mixed-method research design to collect data using an online survey portal...

BACKGROUND: The concept of professional identity within chiropractic is often discussed and debated, however in the field to date, there is no formal definition of chiropractic professional identity (CPI). This article aims to create a coherent definition of CPI and to formalise the conceptual domains that may encompass it. METHODS: Using the Walker and Avant (2005) process, a concept analysis methodology was employed to clarify the diffuse concept of CPI. This method initially involved selecting the concept (CPI), determining the aims and purpose of the analysis, identifying concept uses, and defining attributes...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this descriptive report is to describe the development and implementation of a placement strategy into an entry-level chiropractic course within the United Kingdom. METHODS: Placements are educational experiences during which students can observe or apply theory in real practice situations. For this study, the placement strategy was developed for the chiropractic program at Teesside University through an initial working group that generated its aims, objectives, and philosophy...

Objective: The objective of this article is to reinterpret metaphysical concepts found in chiropractic historic teachings by comparing these to the philosophical system of Baruch Spinoza. Discussion: Universal intelligence and innate intelligence are components of the historic and traditional philosophy of chiropractic. These concepts have offered a unique clinical perspective at the cost of committing to an a priori assumption that some see as untenable. The meaning of universal and innate intelligence may be reinterpreted through an understanding of life and health as offered by the conatus doctrine of Baruch Spinoza...

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OBJECTIVE: The academic teaching clinic at our chiropractic college in California remained open beginning in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place order requiring individuals to stay at home except for essential activities. We report the experiences described by health center personnel who were present during the shelter-in-place early stages. METHODS: Narrative approach and descriptive thematic analysis of transcripts of 15 interviews with faculty, staff, and student interns...

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the attitude of Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) chiropractic students toward the International Clinical and Professional Chiropractic Education Position Statement and evidence-based practice (EBP) beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to all the UQTR chiropractic students. Using a five-point Likert scale, students were asked to rate their level of agreement with the position statement (10 items), EBP (2 items), interprofessional collaboration (2 items) and vitalistic philosophy (2 items)...

BACKGROUND: In Australia, people with musculoskeletal conditions frequently seek care from chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists. Intertwined histories, distinct philosophies and practical tensions characterise relationships between these three professions, yet little is known about contact or collaboration between individual clinicians. OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of osteopaths, physiotherapists and chiropractors who work together in the same clinic location and explore their attitudes towards each other...

INTRODUCTION: Different approaches are used in physical therapy when treating patients with peripheral nerve paralysis and pain syndrome, such as neuro-mobilization techniques, manual therapy, muscle strengthening, active mobilization and relaxation techniques. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) seems to be a promising therapy for mobilizing the neurodynamic system. This case report illustrates the clinical reasoning and feasibility of applying PNF based neuromobilization to a patient not responsive to standard physical therapy...

OBJECTIVE: This is a report of the results of 4 facilitated workshops aimed at developing a standardized chiropractic technique curriculum. METHODS: Workshops were held at research conferences during 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Participants were tasked with developing recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures appropriate for chiropractic technique programs. RESULTS: For diagnostic procedures, there was general agreement among participants that chiropractic programs should include diagnostic imaging, postural assessment, gait analysis, palpation (static, motion, and joint play/springing), global range of motion, and evidence-based orthopedic/neurological tests...

Objective: The purposes of this article are to describe the development of vitalism from its earliest Hellenistic form to that of a contemporary vitalism ethos and to propose the importance of vitalism in the philosophy of chiropractic and the chiropractic health care paradigm. Discussion: A review of the history of vitalism is offered to clarify the use of the term within the chiropractic literature and to provide a defensible position for vitalism as a foundation for future research in the philosophy of chiropractic...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this commentary is to discuss the philosophical and hypothetical underpinnings of chiropractic and consider whether there is a need for chiropractic to have a questioning philosophy and theory-driven process to guide future scientific endeavors in the profession. DISCUSSION: The earliest beliefs of the chiropractic founders centered on chiropractic vertebral subluxation but differed on whether this was a static, bone-out-of-place misalignment or a lesion whereby joints had lost their normal direction or range of motion...

Sociological studies of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) occupations have documented the professionalisation strategies these groups use to establish boundaries between themselves and their competitors, including seeking educational accreditation and statutory regulation/licensure. Chiropractic has been particularly successful at professionalising and in Australia and the UK it is taught within public universities. Recent events have threatened chiropractic's university foothold, however, showing that professionalisation needs to be understood as an ongoing process of negotiation...

BACKGROUND: The philosophy of chiropractic has been a much debated entity throughout the existence of the chiropractic profession. Much criticism has been passed upon the historical philosophy of chiropractic and propagated by contemporary adherents. To date, a new philosophy has not been detailed nor presented that demonstrates principles by which to follow. AIM: The purpose of this paper is to expand upon the work of Russell Kirk (b.1918, d. 1994), an American political theorist, as a basis for principles to guide the formation of a philosophy of chiropractic medicine (PCM)...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to describe chiropractic professional identity as espoused by the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. DISCUSSION: Professional identity is a construct that begins formation prior to career selection, can be considered the backbone of health care education, and has been linked to career success. Los Angeles College of Chiropractic's professional identity is shaped by a philosophy of health care that is focused on vitalism, holism, naturalism, therapeutic conservatism, critical rationalism, phenomenology, humanism, and interprofessionalism...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was to discuss the chiropractic profession's identity and 3 contentious issues related to identity. DISCUSSION: The various clinical specialties and independent groups in the chiropractic profession are so different in their beliefs, practice styles, and political agendas that a common identity is unlikely to be created. Areas of disagreement, including advanced practice, vertebral subluxation, and the philosophy of chiropractic, continue to separate those in the profession...

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this commentary is to explore the concepts underpinning professional identity, assess their relevance to chiropractic, and propose a model by which a strong identity for the chiropractic profession may be achieved. DISCUSSION: The professional identity of chiropractic has been a constant source of controversy throughout its history. Attempts to establish a professional identity have been met with resistance from internal factions divided over linguistics, philosophy, technique, and chiropractic's place in the health care framework...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the motivations, challenges and perceptions of the educational environment of emerging researchers in chiropractic. METHODS: A descriptive web-based survey of higher-degree chiropractic research students was performed between October and November 2013. The survey consisted of open and closed questions and the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure. RESULTS: Twenty-two students currently enrolled in a higher-degree research program participated...