May 2004

WCA board member brings chiropractic message to Malta

In August 2003, after practicing 15 years in Mississippi and another six in Arizona, Douglas Inkol, DC, and his wife moved to Malta because they wanted a "change." They could never have guessed that their relocation would change not only their own lives but the face of chiropractic in the European island nation.

After learning of a practice that would be available there, the couple visited Malta. "We loved the opportunity that was presented and with great effort made all of the painstaking arrangements necessary to make such a move and arrived in Malta the following August," Dr. Inkol explains. "We have never looked back!"

Chiropractic was introduced to Malta about a decade ago. Several chiropractors have practiced intermittently during this time, but no one has ever made the impact that Inkol, a member of the World Chiropractic Alliance International Board of Governors, is making now.

"The problem seemed to be that the chiropractors who worked here before failed to educate the Maltese public about traditional chiropractic," Inkol explains. "It became quite evident when I began to realize that not only were there thousands who had not even heard of chiropractic, but those who had heard of it ‑‑ including patients ‑‑ thought of it as little more than an aspirin they didn't have to swallow."

Inkol, who graduated from Life Chiropractic College in 1981, also received course credit for Physiotherapy certification from National Chiropractic College and Chiropractic Sports Physician Certification credits from Logan College of Chiropractic. He has a certification in AMA Permanent Medical Impairment and Disability Evaluation, is certified as an Independent Chiropractic Examiner and Consultant, Credentialed Chiropractic Physician for Entertainment Medical Services, and had obtained a Fellowship in the Academy of Forensic Industrial Chiropractic Consultants.

Although small in size (only 320 sq km, about twice the size of Washington, DC) Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with about 1,160 inhabitants per square kilometer (3,000 per sq. mi.). This compares with about 21 per square kilometer (55 per sq. mi.) for the United States. The nearly 400,000 inhabitants are served by three practicing DCs.

"I knew I had my work cut out for me, not only educating existing patients, but those who had not heard of chiropractic," Inkol recalls.

As in most places, the medical establishment proved a major challenge for Inkol. Most medical practitioners on Malta discourage people from utilizing chiropractic (Malta does not yet have chiropractic licensing laws) and often gave them inaccurate information about it. He had to endure people telling him "we don't believe in these things" and "I wouldn't recommend that anyone go to a chiropractor"

But Inkol persevered. "I do at times feel like a missionary," he admits. "It's been a huge risk, a great challenge and undertaking ... but it is truly paying off since many people are beginning to understand chiropractic. As a result of our efforts, the practice has grown substantially and many Maltese and other expatriates are benefiting tremendously."

The practice now has three Maltese CAs, one of whom is planning to attend chiropractic college. "She had not even heard of chiropractic until she and her family became patients a year ago," Inkol explains. "We hired her shortly thereafter. We try to encourage our young Maltese patients to consider becoming chiropractors, as the profession in Malta as well as Europe is still open for continued growth."

One of the most interesting aspects of Inkol's Malta practice is that he has seen a number of conditions that he rarely saw in the United States.

"There are many cases of severe arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, gout, and psoriasis," he explains. "There is also a high prevalence of conditions associated with heavy antibiotic use. I have seen young children and adults develop infections as well as other symptoms associated with antibiotic over use. When I examine X rays, it's interesting the number of cases of advanced scoliosis, Paget's and DISH that are revealed."

A lack of education regarding proper ergonomics at work and home, exercise, and most strikingly ‑‑ drinking water, plague the nation.

"I have witnessed a number of ailments, symptoms and diseases that are no doubt associated with dehydration," Inkol notes. "The mission here is to diligently educate the Maltese about the facts and benefits of chiropractic, giving them the opportunity to experience what millions of people in other more advanced countries have for years."

Although he's been in Malta less than two years, Inkol is proud of what he's accomplished so far. In addition to making a substantial investment in educational materials, posters, and brochures from the United States and the UK, he developed his own educational materials. These, he had translated into the Maltese language, a particularly difficult task since Maltese is an archaic and difficult language, a mix of Arabic and Latin.

His efforts quickly paid off. He was selected as the chiropractor for the crew members and actors of two major movies, "Helen of Troy" and "Troy," starring Brad Pitt. He spent several evenings working on the sets during production. He's also worked with professional dancers and musicians, and cares for a number of football (soccer) and rugby players, marathon runners, and basketball athletes in Malta, many of whom participate at the national and international level.

"I've had numerous referrals from the team medical physicians who are recognizing the benefits chiropractic offers their athletes for better recovery from injuries and athletic performance enhancement," Inkol notes.

He's also managed to bring the chiropractic message to the local media, writing several articles for The Malta Times, The Malta Independent and Malta Today, and being interviewed on the National University radio station, and in two national magazines.

He's even been the subject of a weekly interview series for one of Malta's national TV stations, NET TV, which ran live from January to April 2004.

"I have had my greatest impact educating the Maltese about chiropractic since beginning this TV series," he says. "The discussions have included topics from what chiropractic is, to the various conditions that have been helped or resolved with chiropractic care. I have been very clear in educating people about subluxation and, of course, have discussed the scientific research that has validated chiropractic to be not only safe but also extremely effective. Additionally, I have stressed the importance of the health and wellness model."

Inkol is in the process of completing the charter for the World Chiropractic Alliance Malta Association of Chiropractic (MAC). He'll soon be joined by another American chiropractor who will move to Malta to practice with him. The two other chiropractors practicing in Malta will be invited to join MAC as well.

"We have many other plans to continue to develop chiropractic in Malta," Inkol says. "I am very interested in continuing my work here in Malta and in Europe advancing chiropractic as an integral part of the health care system."