The inclusion of chiropractic practitioners into various collaborative health systems has increased over the past decade. The addition of chiropractic within these multi-disciplinary settings has been embraced by many as a way to manage spinal conditions, such as back and neck pain, using noninvasive therapies. However, taking a patient-centered approach to such integration involving various health care practitioners leads to new questions and challenges and requires novel research to optimize patient outcomes in these settings.

As chiropractors, we have such an opportunity to make an impact on musculoskeletal pain in the elderly, and it often begins with education. Fall prevention, diet and nutrition, exercise and encouraging socialization are just a few ways in which we can make a difference. Fear can be crippling, and depression is not uncommon. Dr. Rachel (Mooers) Clark, a participant in the VA chiropractic residency program, recalls that learning to communicate effectively and motivate this population is one of the greatest things she gained from her experience in the geriatric clinic at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in Los Angeles.