May 2005

Attacks on subluxation‑based chiropractic in Germany continue

The opponents of subluxation‑based chiropractic appear to be mobilizing for a global assault, targeting those countries where the profession is still unlicensed or the dominant chiropractic organization is aligned closely with the more medical paradigm espoused by the German Chiropractic Association.

In Germany, for instance, harassment against the small but growing group of principled chiropractors intensified after the German affiliate of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA‑Germany) held its first Summit last year at the Interalpen Hotel in Austria.

Mark Styers, DC, an American‑trained doctor of chiropractic who promotes subluxation‑centered chiropractic in Germany and who heads the WCA‑Germany, also offers basic chiropractic education to those legally practicing chiropractic through his American Institute of Chiropractic. He clearly explains that, while his long‑term plan is to establish a fully accredited chiropractic college in Germany, the program he now offers "is not intended to replace a Doctor of Chiropractic program." He carefully explains that graduates of the program are not doctors of chiropractic, but are already practicing as a heilpraktiker.

In Germany, chiropractic may be performed by MDs or physical therapists. In addition, "health practitioners" ‑‑ also known as heilpraktikers ‑‑ may provide a wide range of chiropractic or manipulation services. Even individuals with DC degrees from accredited chiropractic colleges in the US, Canada or Europe practice as heilpraktikers by law.

The World Chiropractic Alliance has supported a move to license chiropractic as a separate and unique health care field in Germany, and has worked with the World Health Organization to develop a "model" chiropractic statute that would safeguard the rights of patients to obtain subluxation correction through a recognized and trained doctor of chiropractic.

Until such a law is passed, however, the nation offers few educational opportunities that include any information on subluxation‑based chiropractic. According to Dr. Styers, the goal of the American Institute of Chiropractic was to provide such information. "Right now, there exists no recognized program for people who want to learn the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic in a German‑speaking country," he explains. "What we are offering to our students is knowledge. We are not offering any type of certification or diploma currently. Our students come to us already legally able to practice chiropractic here in Germany. Our students are medical doctors and heilpraktikers. This is not a program for non‑health care workers."

Still, he has come under repeated attacks by opponents, including a recent graduate of Palmer college who has set up a practice in Germany. Gordon Janssen, who attended parts of the 2004 German Summit, accused Styers of "being willing to sell out our profession for their own profit." Making a variety of unsubstantiated claims based on his supposed discussions with Styers, Janssen is spreading the rumor that Styers "is offering to turn lay‑practitioners into 'qualified chiropractors' in only 52 days, because that is what his 26 weekends over 2 years come to."

He also is attempting to include the World Chiropractic Alliance, and its president Terry A. Rondberg, DC, in his smear campaign. "We can not allow people like Dr. Styers or Dr. Rondberg to sell out our profession," he stated in a recent letter that was reportedly submitted to Dynamic Chiropractic for publication.

Although refusing to launch a counter attack, Styers suggested that the reason for Janssen's animosity may simply be economics. "Many people who fail to develop a thriving practice here in Germany become jealous that others who do not have full chiropractic degrees from American or Canadian colleges are permitted to practice here," he noted. "They see it as unfair that heilpraktikers are permitted to compete with them. But that is a problem with the licensing laws here, not with me or the American Institute of Chiropractic. If we are to disseminate any kind of knowledge about subluxation, we must do it through private schools like the Institute. There is no alternative at this point, although I will continue to work toward that goal despite opposition from people like Janssen or organizations like the German Chiropractic Association."