While October and National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) are still months away, now is a prime time to get started on your NCHM 2026 proclamation. A sample proclamation is now posted online, along with step-by-step instructions on how to contact your local or state government and get the ball rolling.
Over the years, the volume of NCHM proclamations has increased as doctors of chiropractic have become more familiar with the process. The most common advice we hear from them is “Start early!”
Chiropractors in Texas, for example, have the NCHM proclamation process down to a science. They amass dozens of proclamations each year by being organized, encouraging one another, and recognizing those who are successful.
As the Texas Chiropractic Association’s Andrew Oteo, DC, explained to ACA Blogs previously: “National Chiropractic Health Month is a prime opportunity to shine the spotlight on chiropractic and the Texas Chiropractic Association takes it seriously. Texas has led the nation in the number of proclamations for a reason: we plan early! We work closely with our Board of Directors and state leaders, encouraging them to reach out to members in their respective districts. Our goal is to ensure all the major cities are accounted for first and then the other smaller cities across the state.”
Once they have a proclamation, many chiropractors use the opportunity to raise awareness and strengthen relationships with their state or local leadership. For example, TCA District 11 chiropractic leaders held a special event in 2025, which was attended by their current and former council representatives. The gathering also featured DCs, patients and family members. As one organizer noted, the support they felt “inspired us to fall back in love with what we do.”
Others use their NCHM proclamation as an opportunity to increase unity and engagement among DCs in the state. For example, in 2024 the United Virginia Chiropractic Association developed a “Pass the Proclamation” campaign in which they transported their framed state proclamation to UVCA members around the state, who posted pictures with it to raise visibility of NCHM and the chiropractic profession on their social media channels.
Virigina chiropractors came up with yet another creative idea last year. They were able to get more than 100 chiropractors or chiropractic allies to sign the back of their 2025 proclamation. “We have over 100 signatures including chiropractors, a surgeon, a physiatrist, office staff, and more! The intention was to stimulate over 100 positive conversations around NCHM. We chose this number because it’s also the 100-year anniversary of the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association,” explained ACA Alternate Virginia Delegate Dr. Allie Totzke-Hitzeroth.
ACA is excited to see the new and creative ways that doctors of chiropractic will mark NCHM 2026! Use the sample proclamation and instructions to get going today, and remember to let ACA know if you obtain a proclamation by emailing communications@acatoday.org or, when posting on social media, use the hashtag #JointEfforts or tag @acatoday.org.
Look for more resources to help celebrate NCHM in your community and online in September at www.acatoday.org/NCHM.
