How to Obtain a Government Proclamation

A proclamation is a formal announcement made by a state or local government on a topic important to members of that community. Asking your state or local government to issue a proclamation for National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) is a great way to raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic services and potentially interact with your elected officials.

When you are successful in getting an NCHM proclamation* signed by your governor, mayor or other local official, please let ACA know (send photos, if available) by emailing us. We will then share your news with the rest of the chiropractic community via our social media channels, newsletter and website!

* Note: Sample proclamation text that you can cut and paste into
a document is available at the bottom of this page.

ACA’s alternate Viriginia delegate, Dr. Alli Totzke-Hitzeroth, coordinated the “Pass the Proclamation” campaign in Virginia.

How do I get started?

1. Start early. It may take some time to go through the proclamation process, so begin at least 4-8 weeks in advance of National Chiropractic Health Month (October).

2. Identify who handles proclamations in your city, county or state government offices by looking on city, county and state websites, or by calling the offices. If there is no one who deals exclusively with proclamations, try contacting a public relations or public information officer. An office manager or an office administrator may be able to help, as well.

3. When contacting the proclamations office, be prepared to provide information about the importance of chiropractic services for people in your area. You can use statistics and information provided in ACA’s sample NCHM proclamation (pasted below) or from ACA’s key facts, advocacy, research, and other website resources.

Be sure to ask the following questions:

  • What is the process to obtain a proclamation?
  • Do they want you to draft the proclamation or to do it themselves with information you provide?
  • In what form would they like to receive the proclamation text?
  • Once the proclamation is ready, can you arrange a signing ceremony and invite guests and/or the media?

 

4. When submitting the required documents to the proclamation office, remember to include the following:

  • A cover letter or email with some facts about chiropractic and the significance of its nondrug approach to joint health and helping people relieve pain, restore function and stay active. Be sure to mention that your clinic/organization will be celebrating National Chiropractic Health Month with the American Chiropractic Association and doctors of chiropractic nationwide. Note that the goal of NCHM is to bring attention to chiropractic’s evidence-based, nondrug approach to enhancing joint function and pain management, which is especially relevant in the wake of the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S. Include the date and theme of the proposed proclamation (October; “Chiropractic: Joint Efforts”) and your contact information.
  • A draft of the proposed proclamation (sample text below).

5. Mail, email and/or hand deliver your cover letter and draft proclamation to the office. If you have not heard back from the office after a week, follow up on the status of the proclamation by e-mail or phone.

6. Once the proclamation is signed, pick it up in person if possible, and personally thank the official or staff person who helped you. Or send a thank you card or email to that person. This may help the process go quicker next year!

The signing of the NCHM proclamation made local news in Delphi, Ind. Dr. Thomas Brodar (l) stands next to Mayor Kamron Yates.

7. If you are able to arrange a signing ceremony, take pictures and send them to the ACA Communications Department. We will share your good news via our social media channels, newsletter and website!

8. Display the proclamation in your office the entire month of October. In addition to enhancing the credibility of the chiropractic profession and your clinic, the proclamation is another way for you to begin conversations with patients about the importance of chiropractic’s natural, evidence-based, and nondrug approach to managing pain and improving joint function and how taking care of their musculoskeletal system can contribute to overall health and longevity.

9. Share it on social media! Above all, when you have your proclamation in hand, let the world know by sharing a photo of it on social media and using the hashtag #JointEfforts or #NCHM2026 — or tag us @acatoday — to make sure ACA can find and repost it on our social media channels and share it with the entire chiropractic community!

#JointEfforts

Sample Proclamation Text:

National Chiropractic Health Month 2026

WHEREAS, the musculoskeletal system is made up of more than 300 joints that enable our bodies to move and engage in physical activity as well as activities of daily living; and

WHEREAS, physical activity is considered one of the most powerful contributors to health and longevity, enhancing both cardiovascular and metabolic health; and

WHEREAS, joint and musculoskeletal health are essential components of healthy aging, enabling people to move, work and live independently longer; and

WHEREAS, doctors of chiropractic are experts in musculoskeletal health and provide an evidence-based, nondrug approach to enhancing joint health that goes beyond symptoms and addresses joint dysfunction and pain at the source; and

WHEREAS, chiropractors provide safe and effective care to millions of patients each year for back pain, neck pain, joint pain, tension headaches, and other common musculoskeletal conditions, along with advice on nutrition, injury prevention, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications that support optimal health and wellness; and

WHEREAS, a growing body of research now demonstrates that receiving chiropractic care first for common musculoskeletal conditions may reduce or eliminate the need for riskier and more invasive interventions, and leading healthcare organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Physicians and the World Health Organization also recommend nondrug approaches as first-line treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the [state/city] of [insert name of city or state] officially joins with the [American Chiropractic Association or your state association] in acknowledging the value of chiropractic’s nondrug approach to joint health by proclaiming the month of October 2026 National Chiropractic Health Month.

Signature: ______________________________________

Date Proclaimed: _______________