Physical therapists not authorized to correct subluxations, HHS says

World Chiropractic Alliance

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2002

For information, call: World Chiropractic Alliance, 800-347-1011 or email comments@worldchiropracticalliance.org

Physical therapists not authorized to correct subluxations, HHS says

Over the past several years, chiropractors and physical therapists have argued over which profession has the ability – and authority – to perform adjustments and/or manual manipulation of the spine to correct vertebral subluxations.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a policy letter that helps put the question to rest.

In clarifying its position on which practitioners are authorized by law "to perform manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation as a Medicare-covered service," the CMS referred to Section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act. The Department noted, "The statute specifically references manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation as a physician service. Thus, Medicare+ Choice organizations must use physicians, which include chiropractors, to perform this service. They may not use non-physician physical therapists for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation."

A press release issued by the American Physical Therapy Association indicated that the organization is "currently in communication with CMS in an attempt to determine the meaning of the statements contained in the policy letter and the Agency’s purpose and intent in publishing the letter."

To chiropractors, the meaning of the statements is clear. Correcting vertebral subluxation cannot be done by physical therapists. "Correcting vertebral subluxation is an exact art and science, which can only be performed by a trained and licensed doctor of chiropractic," stated World Chiropractic Alliance President Terry A. Rondberg, D.C. "While physical therapists play a vital role in the American health care system, they do not – and cannot – duplicate the services of doctors of chiropractic."

The World Chiropractic Alliance, an international organization representing doctors of chiropractic, promotes traditional, drug-free and non-invasive chiropractic to correct vertebral subluxations that cause nerve interference. The WCA is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and publisher of the peer-reviewed chiropractic research journal, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. For more information, contact the WCA at 800-347-1011 or http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.

click here to view copy of CMS letter