Several key members of the Council on Chiropractic Practice (CCP) will travel to Vladivostok, Russia as part of a scientific and cultural exchange between U.S. and Russian spinal care experts.

The purpose of the exchange is to begin the first of what will be an ongoing series of dialogues among spinal care experts from both countries. In addition, participants hope to promote the development of international assessment standards with models for clinical outcome assessment protocols.

The exchange, which will occur first in Russia and subsequently in the U.S., will focus on:

*** Historical perspectives on methods of dealing with vertebral subluxation and its influence on world health -- including back or neck pain, loss of motion and function, loss of productivity and ability to work, and economic implications for the respective societies -- in both countries;

*** Techniques and methods for correcting vertebral subluxations;

*** Organization model for treatment;

*** Adjusting protocols and new methodologies;

*** Format for clinical baseline and outcome data/studies;

*** The development of universal evaluation and subluxation-based guidelines including establishment of database and outcome studies criteria;

*** Discussing healthcare systems and introducing state-of-the-art diagnostic and measurement systems for the evaluation of vertebral subluxation;

The program organizers have also proposed a university exchange which will involve introducing the spinal care model focused on vertebral subluxation-based guidelines.

The CCP members scheduled to take part in the exchange program include CCP Vice-President William R. Boone, Ph.D., D.C.; John J. Gerhardt, M.D.; and D.C.s Harold G. McCoy, Veronica Gutierrez, Mark Van Hemert, and Matthew McCoy.

Also taking part in the program is Robert H. Blanks, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Blanks also serves on the board of the CCP.

Among the non-CCP members participating in the historic exchange program are Eileen L. Cody, R.N., State Representative from the State of Washington's 11th District; Alison Krupnick, Program Manager for Emerging Markets for the Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development; Harvey A. Ries, M.D., Director of Professional Development for the International Spinal Health Institute ; Kay E. Scim, Executive Director of the International Spinal Health Institute, and Alec Polishchuk, a certified Russian-English interpreter;

According to program organizers, the short-term goal of the exchange is to "create a dialogue that will share and examine common issues relating to current practices in both countries and encourage exchange of information leading to the betterment of the correction of vs and its impact on humanity."

On a long-term basis, organizers hope to promote "the development of a cultural and educational exchange program that will link universities and healthcare givers in both countries for the ultimate purpose of providing an organized, efficient and effective system for individuals suffering from vertebral subluxation."