November 2005

WCA‑Australia 'Summit 2005' shows nation's commitment to profession

On June 24 2005, the World Chiropractic Alliance‑Australia (WCA‑Australia) kicked off its second Annual Summit in Melbourne.

Representing the WCA was Brian Stenzler, DC, member of the WCA International Board of Governors. Also speaking at the conference from the United States was International Board of Governor and technique guru Mike Henriksen, DC, and popular management consultant Dennis Nikitow, DC.

The level of excitement upon hearing Dr. Nikitow speak rose on the news that he would be returning to Australia in September to present his full ten‑hour program. Dr. Henriksen, a regular visitor to Australia, was excited by what he saw in Australia. "I love to come here and teach my Precision Spinal seminars," he stated. "The energy levels are so high and the doctors have an amazing thirst for knowledge." Andrew Destro, CEO of the WCA‑Australia noted that, "Dr, Mike is such a requested speaker we had to bring him back to Australia in October to provide his full program."

The WCA‑Australia was started in May 2003 by its president, Peter Snodgrass, DC, and Vice‑President, Mark Pearson‑Gills, DC. Dr. Pearson‑Gills had been a member of the International Board of Governors and was so impressed with the WCA and what it stood for that he wanted to bring that vision to Australia. Like the WCA, the WCA‑Australia serves as a watchdog organization protecting the rights of subluxation‑based chiropractic and promoting access to subluxation correction for every man, woman and child. In just two short years, the group has made tremendous headway in Australia with a growing membership and the establishment of many important political contacts inside and outside of the chiropractic profession.

"With only 2200 chiropractors on the entire continent of Australia, I found it amazing that there is such an awareness of chiropractic in Australia," remarked Dr. Stenzler. "I didn't meet a single person who didn't know at least something about our profession; and a couple of people even commented about the wellness aspects of chiropractic. All comments were extremely positive."

Stenzler added, "This country has such an incredible opportunity to educate the population properly before the people of Australia get the wrong idea that we are merely back doctors. If they promote chiropractic properly in Australia, they can really help set the tone for the rest of the world."

"Chiropractic politics in Australia, however, still has its problems," commented Destro. "There are high‑volume chiropractors who are constantly under attack by many of the Australian licensing boards for the way they choose to practice chiropractic. Many of the complaints stem from long‑term care plans and pre‑payment plans, but it is really the basis of the high‑volume, subluxation‑based practices that the board really takes issue with."

Snodgrass agreed, noting that, "We will do whatever is necessary to stop these biased attacks on our fellow chiropractors."

With the help of WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, DC, and WCA Board member Matthew McCoy, DC, Destro, Snodgrass and Pearson‑Gills have been working tirelessly to convince the licensing boards to accept the Council on Chiropractic Practice (CCP) Guidelines since those guidelines represent subluxation‑based practice and corrective chiropractic care.

"If we can't get the boards to accept them, then we will try to make changes through legislation," said Snodgrass. "We'll bring it to the courts if we have to."

Rosemarie Jabbour, DC, had a different issue to battle. Jabbour, a Sydney chiropractor, was faced with jail time for using the title doctor before her name. In the Australian State of New South Wales where Sydney is located (the largest and most populated city in Australia), it is illegal for a chiropractor to use the title doctor. Dr. Jabbour was brought up on charges for not complying with this law. The charges would have been dropped if she chose to discontinue the use of doctor. Although faced with a possible three‑month jail sentence if convicted, Jabbour decided to fight the charges.

She made it clear that it was not about the title, but the principle. The sympathetic judge ‑‑ who uses chiropractic herself ‑‑ cleared Jabbour of all charges. The judge even commented to Jabbour that this issue needs to be fought in the courts and the law needs to be changed. For risking everything she had and for fighting for the principle of chiropractic, Jabbour was awarded the WCA‑Australia's Golden Gorilla Award for Outstanding Service to Chiropractic and the WCA‑Australia.

Highlights of the Summit also included a CCP Guideline and WCA update by Australian chiropractor, David Stapleton, DC; information about new diagnostic technology including digital x‑ray and MRI; and the importance of more research in chiropractic.

A major research‑related topic was the newly founded company RCS (Research and Clinical Science), a private‑sector research program started by Matthew McCoy, DC; David Jackson, DC; and Robert Blanks, PhD. The program was created to demonstrate the positive effects of subluxation correction on thousands of chiropractic patients from around the world.

Supporting the field doctors who are involved in the research project is a panel of scientists including PhDs, MDs and DCs, who will conduct ongoing research studies and projects to demonstrate the global impact of vertebral subluxation and the effects of chiropractic on quality of life.

The chiropractors at the Summit were extremely excited about participating with RCS and are looking forward to bringing the program to Australia. "Chiropractors participating in RCS will not only help forward chiropractic as leaders in the wellness industry, but it will also enhance their own practice by improving note‑taking procedures," Stenzler commented. "It will help introduce chiropractic to thousands of people by educating communities about the need of subluxation‑correction chiropractic care."

"All in all, the Summit was a terrific success, and it was a privilege to represent the WCA and the United States in Australia," said Stenzler. Both he and Henriksen said they look forward to the formation of more WCA organizations abroad. Currently the WCA has a large presence in Canada, Spain, Israel and Germany.

For more information on the WCA‑Australia, visit www.wca‑aust.com.