I got involved in chiropractic politics about 20 years ago right out of school. Frustrated about something that was going on politically I contacted various organizations to see what they were doing and I wasn’t too impressed. This experience led to two decades of serving in one capacity or another in chiropractic political organizations on the state, national and international level.

While the importance of political involvement has always been crucial to our profession’s survival, at this point in time I think the stakes are higher than they have ever been. Our profession faces daunting challenges not only from the outside, but perhaps even more seriously, from within. The continued slide of chiropractic into the allopathic model and the ongoing dilution of chiropractic principles seem to have gained tremendous momentum.

If you look around at all the various chiropractic organizations you’ll find that they all seem to have become bleary eyed at the notion of unity within the profession and more specifically unity around getting or keeping third party reimbursement. This has become their combined mission. This is fundamentally antithetical to the principles and tenets of the chiropractic profession. In fact, for anyone who is trying to teach their practice members that it is their responsibility to take care of their health, such actions are a direct contradiction.

While I have known some of its members and Directors for many years, it was with this in mind that I researched the IFCO and started talking in more detail with them about the problems facing our profession. As I did this it became pretty clear that they were not operating in contradiction to their values or that of the foundational principles of the profession. They are focused and they are clear about what chiropractic is and is not. And they have a plan to insure that traditional, conservative chiropractic survives beyond our lifetimes. That’s why I joined and that’s why I urge you to do the same.

As always I look forward to your feedback, comments and suggestions.