The year 2001 was filled with victories and tragedies, accomplishments and setbacks, for the world and the chiropractic profession. Perhaps never before has the need for subluxation-based chiropractic been so evident. We have seen how keeping people healthy and subluxation-free, with strong immune systems and optimized nerve flow, is essential for overcoming the physical, mental and emotional challenges of modern society. We have also realized how close we can come to losing what we value the most, including our loved ones and our freedoms.

The World Chiropractic Alliance worked hard during 2001 to ensure that we do not lose something else we treasure: our identity as a unique, drug-free health profession. Weekly, the WCA staff was engaged in a variety of efforts and activities, from answering questions from members to publishing the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, from lobbying in Washington, D.C., to educating foreign health ministers about the true role of chiropractic.

Although it is impossible to list each one of these activities, this report will focus on a few of the highlights of 2001, starting with the political efforts that helped secure chiropractic's place in the American health care system.

One of the most significant victories was the passage of a new law spelling out the role chiropractic will play in the Veterans Affairs health care facilities and programs. The law makes it mandatory that the Department of Veterans Affairs provide access to doctors of chiropractic, who will provide "a variety of chiropractic care and services for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, including subluxation complex."

Early in the legislative process, the reference to subluxation complex was removed and the World Chiropractic Alliance lobbied vigorously to have it reinstated. Our task was made more difficult by the willingness of other major chiropractic organizations to "sign off" on the bill without the subluxation language, fearing that any demands on chiropractic's part might kill the bill altogether. The House Committee staff put the word subluxation in "report language" but, since that language is not part of the law and is therefore not binding, the WCA continued to object.

"We understood the concerns of other chiropractic leaders," WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., stated. "But this was one case where half a loaf was not better than no loaf at all. We couldn't allow the bill to ignore the entire basis of chiropractic. Our veterans deserved more than that, and so did our profession."

The WCA lobbyist and legislative consultant, Jim Albertine, met with a number of key House and Senate Committee leaders and took the time to explain to them what the purpose of chiropractic was and why the reference to the subluxation was so important. Until then, many lawmakers had considered chiropractic as nothing more than a form of medical treatment for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. When they understood the key concept of chiropractic, and that it did not duplicate medical therapies but provided a unique and much-needed service, the subluxation language was reinserted and the bill was passed unanimously by the Senate.

"If it were not for the efforts of the World Chiropractic Alliance," Dr. Rondberg stressed, "this bill could very well have restricted chiropractors to the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions.

>>> see VA bill passes Senate and WCA Press Release

Another critical effort for the WCA in 2001 was the campaign to ensure passage of the House Concurrent Resolution 46 (HCR 46), introduced into Congress by Rep. Donald Manzullo. Ever since Rep. Manzullo announced the bill at the World Chiropractic Alliance 2001 International Summit, the WCA has been at the forefront of the efforts to pass this important piece of legislation, which expresses "the sense of the Congress regarding chiropractic health care benefits."

The bill states, in part that:

*** "Chiropractic care includes diagnosis, correction, and management of either vertebral subluxations or neuromusculoskeletal conditions performed by a licensed doctor of chiropractic, and should not include the use of drugs or surgery,"

*** "Doctors of chiropractic are the only providers educated and trained to perform chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations, and as such, chiropractic adjustments should be provided only by a licensed doctor of chiropractic."

*** "Like beneficiaries under Medicare, Federal employees should have direct access to chiropractic care without the requirement of a referral."

(The complete text of the bill is available online).

The main purpose of this law, which clearly defines and supports chiropractic, is to eliminate much of the confusion about the nature of chiropractic and its unique role in health care. As Adam Magary, Rep. Manzullo's legislative director for health issues, explained during the WCA Summit, "Good legislation is like a healthy spine. Correct messages will go out if there are no subluxations."

The WCA immediately initiated a grassroots campaign to generate co-sponsors for the bill. It printed and distributed thousands of postcards which are to be mailed by doctors and their patients to legislators around the country. So far, the campaign has successfully recruited numerous co-sponsors. The WCA will continue to fund and organize this effort, which has won wholehearted support from other chiropractic organizations.

>> See Congressional resolution on chiropractic introduced

After meeting with representatives of the four other major chiropractic organizations, the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) announced it would throw its support behind a long-standing chiropractic lawsuit against the federal government.

>>> See HCFA lawsuit gets WCA support

The WCA joined the ACA, ICA, COCSA, and FSCO in an historic meeting to identify common objectives and possible unified actions. Among the issues the groups agreed to support were the chiropractic lawsuit against the Health Care Financing Administration, the campaign for a chiropractic postage stamp, and the effort to have the Boy Scouts issue a chiropractic merit badge.

>>> See  Leadership Forum agrees on projects

On the state level, the WCA assisted subluxation-based doctors in Florida in opposing a proposal that would have allowed the state board to expand the chiropractic scope of practice to include injectable nutrients. The proposal was soundly defeated in December 2001.

>>> See Florida board considers injectable vitamins  and 

>>> See WCA Position Paper on Injectable Drugs 

Another important campaign started by the WCA in 2001 was for the Chiropractic Postage Stamp. Although the stamp would be an important symbol of its recognition as a major player in the health arena, it is far more than a mere token. It will help increase the visibility of the profession and eliminate much of the negative attitudes we still see.

"Part of the reason we continue to have so much trouble with HCFA and other programs, in both the public and private sector, is that the general attitude of chiropractic is -- at best -- skeptical and -- at worst -- negative," Dr. Rondberg explained. "We need to change that attitude. One way to accomplish this is to increase the visibility of the profession. A chiropractic postage stamp can do it."

As an example of the power of postage stamps, he cited the Diabetes Awareness Stamp, which was issued in March 2001. One hundred million stamps were printed and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the American Diabetes Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Association of Diabetes' Educators all worked with the post office because they understood the huge affect it could have on the public.

As in the case of HCR 46, the WCA is coordinating and funding the grassroots postcard writing campaign needed to convince the Stamp Advisory Committee of the potential popularity of this stamp. Free packets of postcards are available to all doctors requesting them.

>>> See Chiropractic Postage Stamp Campaign 

Although legislative efforts were important during 2001, the World Chiropractic Alliance didn't neglect its responsibility to improve public relations by educating people about the effects of vertebral subluxation and the need for regular chiropractic care.

Among the key activities in this area:

The WCA partnered with RAKgear backpacks to help prevent spinal problems in children by endorsing a product engineered specifically to alleviate the physical stress caused by many backpacks. In addition, the two will work together to formulate a backpack safety program which will help D.C.s gain access to schools and civic organizations with information about chiropractic.

>>> See WCA partners with RAKgear 

Throughout the year, the WCA responded quickly to a number of articles that provided misleading, inaccurate or negative information about chiropractic. These ranged from medical journals such as Stroke, to mainstream consumer magazines like Men's Health and Maxim, to online reports. In each case, the WCA explained the essential concepts of subluxation and provided scientific evidence to validate the chiropractic purpose.

>>> See: WCA Press Release on Strokes 

>>> See: WCA response to media attacks 

Women's health issues were given special emphasis in 2001, following the formation of the WCA Council on Women's Health, co-chaired by Veronica Gutierrez, D.C., and Madeline Behrendt, D.C. The WCA also issued a position paper on the topic, decrying the recent trend to categorize normal female functions as diseases, and calling for an increased attention to the benefits of chiropractic for all women.

>>> See WCA Position Paper on Women's Health  

The WCA continued to attract members from throughout the world and increased the global representation on its International Board of Governors. In addition, it proceeded with work as a Non-Governmental Organization affiliated with the Public Information Office of the United Nations.  See also: WCA's 2001 Report to the United Nations Department of Public Information

Among activities increasing the global reach of the WCA message in 2001:

The World Chiropractic Alliance developed and submitted a document on chiropractic education and training, as well as important safety issues, at the request of the World Health Organization (WHO).

>>>See WCA prepares document on training and safety issues for the World Health Organization 

Christopher Kent, D.C., member of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) Board of Directors, was elected chairman of the NGO Health Committee. The NGO Health Committee has approximately 100 members from 18 countries, representing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) interested in health issues. The Committee also has representatives from six academic and research institutions and five representatives from the private sector.

>>> See Dr Christopher Kent, WCA Board Member, picked to chair NGO health committee 

The WCA and the NGO Health Committee co-sponsored a two-hour program on "Perspectives on Chiropractic Care in Women's Health and Quality of Life," in conjunction with the NGO sessions during the 45th annual assembly of the Commission on the Status of Women. Representatives of the WCA and the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research gave a presentation, which was attended by officers of the NGO Health Committee, physicians, and representatives from developed and developing countries.

>>> See WCA gives women's health presentation at U.N. Headquarters 

As publisher of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, the World Chiropractic Alliance is very much involved in current scientific research concerning the vertebral subluxation. In 2001, several important papers were published, including:

Original research by Erin Elster, D.C., showing that correction of upper neck injuries may reverse the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The paper generated widespread interest in the media and medical profession.

>>> See JVSR researcher focuses on chiropractic and M.S.  and JVSR research report spurs widespread interest

A report by Dr. Ari Cohn, "Stroke and Chiropractic: A Review of the Literature" that exposed serious flaws in research literature often used to support accusations about the dangers of neck adjustments.

>>> See Research debunks suggested link between chiropractic and stroke 

A comprehensive review of the hard bone-soft nerve concept of subluxation by Scott Alderson, D.C. and George Muhs D.C., D.A.B.C.N., C.C.N. ("The Effects of Mild Compression on Spinal Nerve Roots With Implications for Models of Vertebral Subluxation and the Clinical Effects of Chiropractic Adjustment," which validates the subluxation model.

>>> See Chiropractic research validates subluxation model 

The WCA knows that an organization is only as strong as its individual members. Throughout the year, WCA members showed that they are committed to the principles of chiropractic and willing to make the extra effort needed to safeguard and promote those principles.

Since it's impossible to showcase all the noteworthy actions taken by WCA members, the following are just a few of the many activities demonstrating their dedication:

Ralph Davis, D.C., a World Chiropractic Alliance member from Clementon, New Jersey spoke on the subject of chiropractic care at the National Conference for Nurse Practitioners held in Washington, D.C.

>>>See WCA member addresses nurses conference 

Patrick Gentempo, D.C., member of the WCA Board of Directors and Stuart Warner, chair of the WCA International Board of Governors, attended the inauguration of George W. Bush, finding time to meet with then Senate majority leader Trent Lott, and energy secretary Spencer Abraham.

>>> See WCA Board Members attend Bush Inauguration 

Dr. Madeline Behrendt, member of the WCA International Board of Governors and co-chair of the WCA Council on Women's Health, helped the media spread the chiropractic message by working with author Neil Osterweil for an article on the popular WebMD website. The focus of the article was Dr. Behrendt's paper in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.

>>> See WebMD article features WCA Board member  

Dr. Adrian Wenban, a member of the World Chiropractic Alliance International Board of Governors and the Associate Governor of the Australian Spinal Research Foundation wrote an eloquent rebuttal, exposing the inaccuracies and wrong conclusions of an article printed in The Times, the major British daily newspaper.

>>> See WCA Board member refutes anti-chiropractic article in Times 

On the organizational front, the big news of the year was the success of the International Summit 2001, which was applauded as a "landmark event" in chiropractic history. It was at this event that Rep. Manzullo announced the introduction of House Concurrent Resolution 46, and the Chiropractic Postage Stamp campaign was officially launched. During the Summit, numerous high ranking Senators and Representatives took time to meet and talk with WCA members. The event was filled with memorable moments, such as when Sen. Trent Lott stood up in front of the room and proclaimed: "If more Americans were under chiropractic care, there would be less need for drugs and surgery."

As the organization grew, the need for strong administrative leadership became evident and the WCA Board of Directors selected two of their most capable and dedicated members -- David Jackson, D.C., and Jack Masche, D.C. -- to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively.