Subject: Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique: General Articles

Title: Chiropractic Name techniques in Canada: a continued look at deomgraphic trends and their impact on issues of jurisprudence

Reference: Brian J Gleberzon,DC....JCCA 2002; 46(4): pp. 241-256

Abstracts: In a previous article, the author reported on the recommendations gathered from student projects between 1996 and 1999 investigating their preferences for including certain chiropractic Name technique system,s into the curriculum at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). These results were found to be congruent with the professional treatment techniques used by Canadian chiropractors. This article reports on the data obtained during the 2000 and 2001 academic years, comparing these results to those previously gathered. In addition, because of the implementation of a new curriculum during this time period, there was a unique opportunity to observe whether or not student perceptions differed between those students in the 'old' curricular program, and those students in the 'new' curricular program. The results gathered indicate that students in both curricular programs show an interest in learning Thompson Terminal Point, Activator Methods, Gonstead, and Active Release Therapy techniques in the core curriculum, as an elective, or during continuing educational programs provided by the college. Students continue to show less interest in learning CranioSacral Therapy, SacroOccipital Technique, Logan Basic, Applied Kinesiology and Chiropractic BioPhysics. Over time, student interest has moved away from Palmer HIO and other upper cervical techniques, and students show a declining interest in being offered instruction in either Network Spinal Analysis or Torque Release Techniques. Since these findings reflect the practice activities of Canadian chiropractors they may have implications not only towards pedagogical decision-making processes at CMCC, but they may also influence professional standards of care.

Introduction: The best available evidence continues to demuonstrate that chiropractors achieve clinically important results for their patients experiencing acute and chronic spinal pain, and certain types of headaches . Other evidence from practice-based trials has shown that chiropractic treatments often benefit patients with other neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as fibromyalgia, vertigo, asthma and colic. These results are often achieved with an enviable safety record, with the current literature consistently indi-cating that serious side effects of chiropractic care, such as stroke or death, are rare, unpredictable and idiosyncratic complications. The overall net effect is that many studies, comprehensive reviews of the literature and expert opinion conclude that chiropractic care is safe, appropriate, clinically useful and cost effective compared to alternative treatments such as surgery, drug therapy, bed rest, physical therapy and patient instruction.

Key Indexing Terms:chiropractic Name technique systems; standardsof care; professional practice activities; education