July 2004

WCA to sponsor 'Children's Health Day International'

On Sept. 18, 2004, hundreds of DCs around the world are expected to join in the first of a semi‑annual "World Chiropractic Alliance Children's Health Day International" event that will educate parents about important health and wellness issues, including chiropractic for their children.

The event will be preceded by an aggressive public relations and publicity campaign to generate awareness of the program so that participating doctors will benefit from increased exposure in their communities. It will position chiropractors as the only major health care providers offering drug‑free children's health care.

The drug‑free aspect of chiropractic is particularly important today, since parents are increasingly alarmed by news of the dangers of many drugs and vaccines, the overuse and abuse of antibiotics for otitis media and other common children's ailments, the misuse of Ritalin and growth hormones, and the lack of proper testing of drugs given to children.

The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) strongly supports the right of parents to seek and obtain chiropractic care for all their children, regardless of age or presence or absence of symptoms. It has been in the forefront of the campaign to provide the full data needed for parents to make an informed decision about vital health care issues involving their children.

The care of children is consistent with recommended chiropractic guidelines, as set forth in the Council on Chiropractic Practice "Clinical Practice Guideline Number 1, Vertebral Subluxation in Chiropractic Practice," included in the National Guideline Clearinghouse.

This document, which has been widely embraced by the chiropractic profession, states: "Since Vertebral Subluxation may affect individuals at any age, Chiropractic care may be indicated at any time after birth. As with any age group, however, care must be taken to select adjustment methods most appropriate to the patient's stage of development and overall spinal integrity. Parental education by the Subluxation‑centered Chiropractor concerning the importance of evaluating children for the presence of vertebral Subluxation is encouraged."

Ample documented evidence is available that chiropractic care is safe for children and can have beneficial effects on health and fitness from newborn to adult stages. However, many people still don't realize that chiropractic can benefit children. An over emphasis on chiropractic for back pain in adults has given the public a limited view of chiropractic, once that the WCA tries to expand by its public education program.

The program will provide valuable information about critical health issues such as:

Doctors who register for the event will receive complete instructions and all materials needed to make the day a success for their offices and community. Included in the program will be all the tools needed to:

The WCA Children's Health Day International is being coordinated by the WCA Council on Children's Health. Chairing the Council is Joel Miller, DC, a 1983 cum laude graduate from Life University and recipient of the Clinical Excellence award for his outstanding achievements during his internship there.

Dr. Miller was the lead professor in Pediatric Adjusting and the associate professor in Pediatric Clinical Assessment at Life University from 1998‑2000. He is a Fellow of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and co‑author and lead instructor of a 120‑hour pediatric certification course.

He is also author of numerous papers published in popular chiropractic literature and is an international lecturer on chiropractic pediatrics and youth sports. A primary reviewer for the Council on Chiropractic Practice guidelines for pediatrics, Miller also serves on several colleges' post‑graduate faculties.

The Council's vice‑chair position is held by Pamela Stone, DC, a Certified Pediatric Chiropractor through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), and a 2000 graduate of Life University's College of Chiropractic. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts, and spent seven years working in public relations and promotion in the sporting goods industry.

While a student at Life University, Dr. Stone was president of the Pediatrics Club and taught pediatric adjusting techniques to fellow students. She is a regular speaker in her community on pregnancy and children's related topics. Stone has been published in The Chiropractic Journal, Today's Chiropractic, Sporting Kid magazine and "Chicken Soup for The Chiropractic Soul," as well as several local newsletters.

For more information on the WCA Council on Children's Health, visit or e‑mail Dr. Joel Miller.