This month men have the floor, and they're going to let us know what they think about the vital relationship between women, health, chiropractic and the WCA's Council on Women's Health.

The Council is not gender exclusive. Dedicated to promoting women's health, it is open to and welcomes all. Details are available below (we'd love to have you join us, by the way).

Now, let's enjoy the following contributions from some male members of the World Chiropractic Alliance.

From Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., WCA president -- "The need to bring chiropractic to women around the globe has perhaps never been more critical. Whether it's a single working mother in the U.S. trying to cope with tremendous physical and emotional stresses, or a woman in a developing nation who doesn't have access to even the most rudimentary health care, chiropractic can help. Strictly from a humanitarian perspective, we must do everything we can to make sure every woman has the chance to lead a subluxation-free life.

"The impact of raising women's awareness of the benefits of chiropractic goes far beyond the one segment of the population, however. Women throughout the world usually make most of the health care decisions for their entire family. In addition, in both government and private enterprise, women are frequently in a position to influence or make decisions that can greatly affect the profession as a whole.

"The WCA Council on Women's Health is the perfect way to make sure all D.C.s are well- educated about those issues of greatest concern to women, and to put into place programs that will help bring chiropractic to women everywhere.

"I urge all Doctors of Chiropractic -- female and male -- to join and become involved in the Council. This is your chance to get in at the start of an exciting new program that can literally revolutionize women's health care by making sure it includes the most critical element of all... subluxation correction!"

David Fletcher, D.C., Canada -- "As I surveyed the terrain of my practice, I became aware of the influence that women have on my life. I am literally surrounded by the female presence! My staff, who are a true extension of my philosophy and practice, add an invitational tone to the many women who choose to be our practice members.

"Women, chiropractic and wellness are synonymous. Perhaps it's the enculturation of the male/female role, but I have found that women embrace the wellness model with greater ease than men. I believe this comes from the innate mothering qualities that females possess. They understand that choosing wellness is to choose a process. I have also observed that women are prepared to accept the discipline of change and easily embrace choices based on excellence.

"Women's issues have not always taken precedence in chiropractic, and have long been regarded as "add on" services in many practices. The necessity of bringing these topics to the forefront has become obvious. If the compelling purpose of community chiropractic is to achieve wellness, and not merely sickness care, then we need look no further than to our female practice members."

Jack Masche, D.C., WCA rep., Wisconsin -- "Women are often times the victims of the misguided sick care system. This system categorizes pregnancy as some condition to be treated and other normal functions of the female body are regarded as some inconvenience to be gotten rid of. When malfunction occurs no one looks for the cause of interference as a chiropractor is trained to do.

"Chiropractic has the capacity to reconnect the female back to the inner wisdom of her body through education and restoring normal function. Chiropractic is the voice in the wilderness for women who are being pressured through behavioral modification and fear to abandon the inborn wisdom of their body, soul and spirit.

"Imagine women returning to much of the wisdom that they have lost and passing that information on to their families. I like that vision, it makes for a better world to live in. "

Jason Deitch, D.C., California -- "Absolutely women are the focus. Most women just make better decisions about their self care than most men do, and women are more and more the head of the household, so it is without a doubt the best strategy to address women's health issues.

"The reality of our present circumstance is that all health care issues are women's health issues, because if their son, husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, father, employee, etc. has a health problem, it affects that woman. As they say "Mother knows best." Interesting how they don't say that about Dads. Let's teach the women!"

Jay Zimmerman, D.C., WCA rep., New Jersey -- "The WCA's Council on Women's Health is performing a great service to our profession. Think about it. The average chiropractic practice has more women than men under care. Women tend to be the care givers of the average family and are more informed and concerned about health care.

"Women's health and lifestyle issues are a big topic in today's society. I think all chiropractors whether they be male or female, should be a part of and support the Council on Women's Health. It only makes sense. The WCA should be congratulated for forming the Council and for being the only international organization responsible enough to have one."

I'd like to extend a special "thank you" to all of these doctors for their perspective. I hope their thoughts have stirred your awareness and gotten you thinking how to better support women's health in your practice and community.

Here's the best way to start: Join the WCA Council on Women's Health today! This is the right place and the right time to make a difference. For more information, visit the Council's website.

Council membership is included as a courtesy to all WCA members in good standing. Registration for the Council is all that's required. New members, WCA quarterly dues are just $99. Contact the WCA office at 800/347-1011 to sign up.

(Madeline Behrendt, D.C., vice-chair of the World Chiropractic Alliance Council on Women's Health, is author of "A Woman's Experience/A.W.E.," a practice manual offering a subluxation-based perspective on diverse aspects of women's health. Dr. Behrendt's articles have appeared in numerous print and electronic publications, and she has completed a research paper for the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.)