Chiropractic celebrates its 125^th anniversary this year, a milestone that warrants reflection. With that, ACA Blogs caught up with ACA member Patrick Montgomery, DC, MS, FASA, FICC, a professor of chiropractic history who is also the immediate past president of the Association for the History of Chiropractic, to ask what he believes some of the profession’s most significant achievements have been and what today’s doctors of chiropractic should know about their past so they can continue building a foundation for future success.

This October during National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM), chiropractors nationwide will do their part to help people navigate the new normal without adding extra aches, pains and injuries to their concerns. With the theme “Active and Adaptive,” NCHM 2020 aims to raise awareness of the importance of movement, posture and stress management to our musculoskeletal health.

Federal government relations is a complex and exciting field, especially for membership associations such as the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).  Not only do we represent our dedicated ACA members, but also their patients and, as an extension, the more than 30 million Americans who receive chiropractic care each year.  A critical component of ACA’s government relations work is safeguarding and advancing public trust in chiropractic—and this is at the forefront of our work with policymakers. 

Over the past several months healthcare professionals, public health workers, and citizens have been working (mostly) together to implement new policies and changes to healthcare delivery that will create a safe environment for patient populations and healthcare employees alike. These limitations have prevented many with musculoskeletal pain, a condition affecting millions, from receiving treatment services. The suspension, delay, or discontinuation of these services can, unfortunately, produce undesirable consequences including increased pain, depression, and disability. Auspiciously, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has implemented policies to help mitigate these unfavorable consequences and provide safe, effective, and essential chiropractic services throughout this global pandemic.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) will hold elections early next year for two open seats on its six-member Board of Governors. Nominations for one chiropractor seat and one public member seat may be submitted on the ACA website from Sept. 14 through Oct. 9. The ACA House of Delegates (HOD) will vote on the candidates during its annual meeting in February 2021.

Each year, doctors of chiropractic and students reach out to their state and local governments to request proclamations declaring October as National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM). The process can take a few weeks to complete so August is a great time to get started. This year’s theme, “Active and Adaptive,” encourages people to adapt in healthy ways to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic by, for example, staying active, managing stress, and being aware of their posture when working from home. Find links to sample proclamation text and instructions at www.acatoday.org/NCHM and get started!

ACA Blogs caught up with Alli Totzke, national chair of the Student ACA (SACA), to find out how plans are going for this year’s Leadership Conference, scheduled for Sept. 11-12 online, and to learn what SACA members are doing to adapt and continue their outreach and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are slated to head home to their districts and states on July 31. The start of the traditional summer recess comes after--what both parties will tell you--was a tumultuous session dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Nonetheless, in August, members will hold town hall forums, listening sessions and other public events, mostly in a virtual setting, geared toward gauging constituent views and interests. Doctors of chiropractic are especially encouraged to seek out their federal legislators at these virtual public town hall meetings. 

Sixty years ago, when E. Wayne Carr, DC, opened his first clinic in Miller, S.D., he practiced by a simple motto that he learned as a student at National from his mentor, Joseph Janse, DC: “Doctor first, chiropractor by discipline.” Today, his three sons, two grandsons and an associate who continue the family’s practice live that vision as they serve as medical directors of the COVID-19 response in their community.

This Thursday, July 9, marks one year since the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (H.R. 3654) was introduced in Congress. To celebrate, ACA Blogs checked in with ACA's top lobbyist John Falardeau to see how far we have come in generating support for this game-changing legislation…and what still needs to be done to get the bill passed before the end of the congressional session later this year.