Chiropractors treat pain by manipulating the spine and other joints in the skeletal system.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on the health of the skeletal system, primarily the spine. As practitioners of natural medicine, chiropractors are subject to many of the same federal regulations as medical practitioners, with more specific guidelines set forth at the state level. Contact your state's board of chiropractic examiners for a full list of regulations in your area.
Scope of Treatment
Chiropractors may not prescribe medication or perform surgery. Beyond this, chiropractors in most states treat patients through chiropractic adjustment and physiotherapies, although some states have tighter restrictions on chiropractic treatment. Michigan, for example, restricts chiropractic adjustments to the spine only. In other states, such as Oregon, chiropractors may use a broader scope of diagnostics and treatment, including the collection of blood for testing.
HIPAA
Chiropractors, like all U.S. health care practitioners, are subject to The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA regulates the use and transmission of medical records and ensures patient privacy. These laws relate primarily to the digital storage and transfer of medical records and restrict the release of those records to outside sources without patient approval.
Radiography
Public Law 97-35 sec. 978 allows chiropractors to use X-ray technology for diagnostic purposes only. This law prohibits radiography use for therapeutic purposes and sets forth education and training standards for any person performing radiographic imagery in the U.S.
Education and Licensure
Each state's board of chiropractic examiners maintains a list of acceptable chiropractic colleges and training programs. Chiropractors must obtain a degree from one of these institutions before obtaining licensure to practice in their state of choice, except in Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, New York, and Virginia, where chiropractors may obtain licensure based on passing certification tests created by the U.S. National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NCBE). As of 2009, there were 16 chiropractic education programs accredited by the NCBE.
Continuing Education
Most states require chiropractors to keep their education up to date by completing continuing education credits. These requirements vary by state. Chiropractors in Nevada must complete 36 hours annually, while Tennessee only requires 24 hours. In New York, in addition to 36 hours every three years, chiropractors must also attend a course in recognizing and reporting signs of child abuse.
Transfer of Credentials
In most cases chiropractors may use their credentials outside of the state where they obtained their original license with permission from their new state of residence. This practice, called reciprocity, sometimes carries additional education and testing requirements. As of 2010, only 16 states do not recognize reciprocity.
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