Garret Graves, who served in the House of Representatives until last year, was quoted in the July 27 article by Jack Brook, “Louisiana cancels $3 billion coastal restoration project funded by oil” that was distributed worldwide by the Associated Press.  The article, regarding the potential loss of coastal restoration funds from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Settlement Fund, is an important topic which warrants a serious discussion. 

Statements attributed to you in the article  include “I don’t know what chiropractor or palm reader they got advice from on this but – baffling that someone thought this was a good idea.” (The quote has been used again by former Rep. Graves on social media.

In the letter sent by ICA’s CEO, Dr. Edwin Cordero, the following comments were provided:

“This quote from you has no place in such a serious discussion and implies that chiropractors lack credibility.  Whether provided as a cheap shot at the profession or out of a lack of understanding of the strong evidence-base supporting the safety and benefit of regular chiropractic care, your quote undermines the valuable work of more than 100,000 Doctors of Chiropractic in the United States including the more than 700 in the state of Louisiana. 

Chiropractors (Doctors of Chiropractic):

• Recognized as Essential Health Care Providers by the US Government.
• Physician level providers in Medicare, Medicaid, DOD and VA.
• Licensed in Every US State.
• Chiropractic Care is a covered service in Medicare, Medicaid, US military and Veterans Administration health care. 
• Extensive licensing and educational requirements: 
  • 3-4 Year Graduate Degree requiring minimum of  7 years undergraduate with science pre-requisites.  All US Chiropractic Programs are Accredited by the CCE, which is US Department of Education approved.
  • Licensure requires passage of 4 Boad Exams provided by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams and fulfilling any state-specific licensing requirements.
• Safety of chiropractic validated through medical malpractice rates that are among the lowest in health care.
• Research including studies conducted by the US Defense Department show benefits of chiropractic care for improved performance, strength, and recovery.
• Studies show that for patients in pain, chiropractic is first line of care, the rate of opioid prescriptions being filled is reduced by at least 50%.
• Workman’s Compensation Research Institute Study found chiropractic care was less expensive for on-the-job injuries, and that employees returned to work more quickly.”

Dr. Cordero concludes the letter with a request for corrective action be taken. The full letter is available below:

Falls Church, VA — We’re excited to introduce Dr. Neil Cohen as the ICA’s new Membership Ambassador! In this important role, Dr. Cohen will be working closely with our student ICA programs at affiliated schools, inspiring the next generation of chiropractors to embrace ICA’s mission and values. 

He will also be actively recruiting new members, helping young graduates transition smoothly into full doctor-level membership, and ensuring they remain active and engaged throughout their careers for full ICA benefits. 

Dr. Cohen will be working hand-in-hand with our CEO, Dr. Edwin Cordero, to strengthen and grow our ICA community—just as he did as Executive Vice President of Sherman College of Chiropractic, where together they advanced the college’s standing as a leader in principled chiropractic education.

Dr. Cohen joined Sherman College in 2014 and served there for nearly 10 years, helping guide its growth and impact. He is a 1986 graduate of Life Chiropractic College, where he was deeply inspired by Dr. Sid Williams’ passion for chiropractic’s unique philosophy—a passion that sparked a lifelong commitment to principled chiropractic care. 

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Cohen practiced alongside his wife, Randi, in South Florida, earning a reputation for his genuine care and for helping countless patients experience the transformative power of chiropractic. He’s always believed that, by God’s design, the body has an incredible ability to heal itself, and he’s dedicated his life to sharing that truth.

Dr. Cohen’s leadership, communication skills, and unwavering commitment to chiropractic’s core philosophy make him a perfect fit for this role. We can’t wait to see the positive impact he’ll bring to our ICA community.

For more information about the ICA and its leadership, visit www.chiropractic.org. 

Media Contact: 
Beth Clay, Executive Director 
bclay@chiropractic.org 

“This is a tragic situation, but it’s also a gross misrepresentation of the chiropractic profession,” said Dr. Edwin Cordero, CEO of the ICA. “It’s yet another example of sensational journalism that draws conclusions without evidence, science, or clinical context.”

A Pattern of Blame Without Clinical Facts

Every time a vascular event occurs, and a chiropractor is even remotely involved in the patient’s history, it becomes headline news regardless of timing, medical context, or alternative risk factors. In this case, the patient herself stated that her symptoms developed weeks after the adjustment.

“If a traumatic arterial dissection truly occurred at the moment of care, we’d expect immediate neurological symptoms like severe headache, nausea, or difficulty walking,” Dr. Cordero noted. “Delayed symptom onset matters. That’s clinical evidence being ignored.”

Research Clearly Refutes a Causal Link

The best available research supports what principled chiropractors have long known: there is no causal relationship between cervical chiropractic adjustments and vertebral artery dissection.

A major population-based study by Cassidy et al. (2008), published in Spine, examined all vertebrobasilar strokes in Ontario over nine years and found no increased risk of stroke associated with chiropractic care compared to medical care. Patients experiencing early dissection symptoms like neck pain or headache—were just as likely to see a chiropractor as a medical doctor, showing that the stroke process had likely begun before any visit occurred.

This conclusion is supported by the American Heart Association and multiple systematic reviews, including a 2016 meta-analysis published in Cureus and a 2021 study in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. Together, these findings make it clear: correlation does not equal causation when it comes to chiropractic care and VAD.

References:

1. Cassidy JD, Boyle E, Côté P, He Y, Hogg-Johnson S, Silver FL, Bondy SJ. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008 Feb 15;33(4 Suppl):S176-83. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181644600. Erratum in: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Mar 1;35(5):595. PMID: 18204390.
2. Biller J, Sacco RL, Albuquerque FC, et al. (2014). Cervical Arterial Dissections and Association with Cervical Manipulative Therapy: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke, 45(10):3155–3174. DOI: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000016
3. Church EW, Sieg EP, Zalatimo OA, et al. (2016). Systematic review and meta-analysis of chiropractic care and cervical artery dissection: no evidence for causation. Cureus, 8(2):e498. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.498
4. Whedon JM, Mackenzie TA, Phillips RB, Lurie JD. (2021). Risk of cervical artery dissection after chiropractic spinal manipulation in Medicare B beneficiaries aged 65 to 99 years with neck pain. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 29:16. DOI: 10.1186/s12998-021-00367-5

Overlooked Clinical Red Flags

According to People Magazine, Klundt had previously undergone breast explant surgery and suffered from chronic muscular pain, key indicators that should have prompted a comprehensive clinical evaluation. Additionally, the provider performing the adjustment was a substitute chiropractor, not her usual doctor.

“Every chiropractor must take full responsibility for history-taking and red flag screening, regardless of whether the patient has been to the office before,” Dr. Cordero emphasized. “Shared offices don’t mean shared clinical insight.”

Post-COVID Vascular Risks Must Be Considered

While the article avoids broader physiological context, chiropractors must not. The literature now identifies a potential link between post-COVID exposure (including vaccination) and vascular inflammation, clotting disorders, and endothelial damage—all factors that complicate case presentations.

“We’re not saying COVID caused this injury,” Dr. Cordero stated. “We’re saying that failing to consider the full clinical picture including immune system history is negligent.”

Chiropractic Is Safe, Effective, and Trusted by Millions

Chiropractors deliver over 280 million patient visits annually in the U.S.—that’s more than 1 million visits per day with one of the lowest malpractice claim rates in healthcare. Serious adverse events remain exceedingly rare, with studies estimating a risk of 1–2 incidents per million cervical adjustments.

“Every day, chiropractors help millions live healthier lives without drugs or surgery,” said

Dr. Cordero. “And yet when something goes wrong even with multiple unknowns the media zeroes in on chiropractic. Meanwhile, the 250,000+ deaths from medical errors each year barely get a mention.”

What Chiropractors Must Do Now

To protect patients and themselves chiropractors must:

•      Treat every adjustment like it’s the first

•      Re-screen frequently for red flags and systemic symptoms

•      Ask about surgeries, medications, and immune status

•      Document thoroughly, including “normal” findings

•      Refer out when anything seems off

“If your notes don’t reflect your thinking,” said Dr. Cordero, “then legally, it’s as if you didn’t think at all.”

The ICA Will Keep Standing in the Gap

The ICA will continue to defend principled chiropractic care, push back on media misinformation, and ensure our drug-free identity is protected.  We also promote evidence-informed clinical decision making and best practices.

“This isn’t just about one article—it’s about the future of our profession,” said

Dr. Cordero. “And we’re not backing down.”

To learn more about ICA advocacy and how to get involved, visit www.chiropractic.org.

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ICA CEO, Dr Edwin Cordero stated: “I want to be clear—what’s happening in Montana is exactly why Dr. B.J. Palmer founded the ICA and charged us with guarding the Sacred Trust. This fight was a warning shot—and we all know it won’t be the last. But let me assure you, the ICA will always rise to the occasion and stand firm for principled chiropractic, just as we’ve done throughout this entire legislative battle in Montana.”

Background: Chiropractic legislator Greg Oblander first introduced HB 500 and then HB 929 when the Montana Legislative session opened in January for its 90-day session. The process of introducing and seeing it signed into the law by the Governor has many steps; and as we learned in Montana a bill that has been voted down in committee can be resurrected and a bill that is tabled in committee can be ‘blasted’ to the floor.

The ICA was ‘boots on the ground’ in Montana with Board Member, Dr. Hugo Michael Gibson and Assembly Representative Dr. Donald Gibson both attending and testifying at the State Board meeting the House hearing, and the Senate. Additional ICA doctors in Montana also testified.  They were backed up with the ICA home office, most specifically our CEO and Executive Director.  ICA’s CEO, Dr. Edwin Cordero provided testimony via zoom and the ICA submitted extensive written testimony to both the House and Senate. We did significant outreach first in the House and then in the Senate.  While the legislature does not meet again until 2027, ICA will continue our engagement in Montana. 

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Clearwater, FL – April 15, 2025—The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) made a powerful impact this past weekend at the Dynamic Essentials Conference in Clearwater, Florida.

ICA’s newly appointed CEO, Edwin Cordero, DC, FICA, took the stage as the Friday Night Keynote Speaker, delivering a passionate message rooted in principled chiropractic, legacy, and vision for the future. The response was overwhelming.

22 doctors and students signed up to become ICA members, committing to stand for the sacred principles of chiropractic and join a global movement.

“This isn’t just a new season—it’s a new era for ICA,” said Dr. Cordero. “We are more than an organization; we are a movement to protect the Sacred Trust and ensure chiropractic remains a distinct, powerful, and principled profession worldwide.”

ICA Mission
To protect and promote chiropractic throughout the world as a distinct healthcare profession predicated upon its unique philosophy, science, and art of subluxation detection and correction.

ICA Vision
To empower humanity to optimal life expression, health, and human potential through specific and scientific chiropractic care.

Founded by Dr. B.J. Palmer in 1926, the ICA continues to lead the profession forward with integrity, purpose, and global advocacy. For more information or to join the ICA, visit www.chiropractic.org.

The battle to stop this now moves to the Senate. Stay tuned, ICA is working this issues and will not give up. We stand for the protection and promotion of the profession and to keep it a distinct healthcare profession.

Introducing Exclusive Insurance Benefits for ICA Members

The International Chiropractors Association is excited to announce a new benefit for our American members—comprehensive insurance coverage, including health, life, disability and more, for practices of all sizes, available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through R&B Insurance Services, LLC.

We’ve worked hard to provide options that fit your practice and your life, whether you’re a solo practitioner or managing multiple offices. R&B will be joining us at our Annual Convention in Clearwater to explain their services and answer your questions.

• Benefit Options for all size Practices.  Including 1 person Practices
• Discounted Rates for Group Health Insurance Options
• Dental Insurance with many plan design options for Practices to choose from.  Available Practice paid or Voluntary
• Vision Insurance with many plan design options for Practices to choose from.  Available Practice paid or Voluntary
• Guarantee Issue Practice Paid Life Insurance up to $150,000 in coverage
• Guarantee Issue Voluntary Life Insurance up to $150,000 in coverage.  Options for Spouse and Children Available
• Guarantee Issue Short-Term Disability Coverages.  Practice paid or Voluntary up to $1500 Weekly Benefits
• Guarantee Issue Long-Term Disability Coverages.  Practice paid or Voluntary up to $6000 Monthly Benefits.  No Restrictions for Chiropractors
• 24 Hour a day Accident coverage.  Pays Benefits directly to policyholders if they are hurt in an accident.  Can cover dependents
• Guarantee Issue Critical Illness coverage.  Covers over 25 major health events (Cancer, Heart Attacks, Stroke, ETC…)  Up to $30,000 in coverage with no health questions. Can cover dependents
• Guarantee Issue Hospital Indemnity.  Pays benefits to help cover out of pocket medical expenses.  Can cover dependents
• Additional available coverages; Legal, Identity Theft and Fraud Protection

Learn more at rbinsuranceservice.com or email ICAservice@rbinsuranceservice.com.

ICA affiliated state associations should contact bclay@chiropractic.org for information regarding extending this benefit to state-level members.

The strategic plan aligns with ICA’s broader 2024 theme, “Focus on Fundamentals – A Unified Voice and Vision,” emphasizing education, membership growth, and advocacy to protect and promote chiropractic.

Key Goals for 2024/2025:

• Strengthen international engagement and elevate chiropractic’s global presence.
• Advocate for policies that ensure public access to chiropractic and uphold professional standards.
• Enhance postgraduate education and research to advance the profession.
• Expand ICA’s role as a leading voice for chiropractic.

Grounded in its core principle—that the body has an innate ability to adapt and self-heal through an optimally functioning nervous system—ICA continues to advocate for chiropractic. The association’s efforts focus on removing barriers to access, ensuring fair compensation, and promoting chiropractic’s role in healthcare.

With long-term targets set for 2030, ICA envisions a future where chiropractic is accessible to all, chiropractors are recognized as healthcare leaders, and ICA membership continues to grow as chiropractors see value in its advocacy and leadership.

Read the full plan below:

November 12, 2024 (Falls Church, VA) Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson, President of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) leaves today to present at the IX Brazilian Chiropractic Congress hosted by the Chiropractic Association of Brazil (ABQ).

While in Brazil, Dr. Sigafoose Jackson will share the ICA message about the importance of protecting and promoting chiropractic as a separate and distinct profession. The ICA supports our colleagues in Brazil who for over 20 years have been fighting a battle not to be controlled by the physical therapy profession. We look forward to a positive outcome by the Brazilian government soon and stand ready to assist as needed.

Of particular concern to the ICA are organizations and individuals that are providing chiropractic training to non-chiropractors. The ICA has a long-standing policy which has recently been reaffirmed by our leadership which holds that all chiropractic graduate education, continuing education, certification and diplomate programs; and independent education programs intended to advance the knowledge and skill of chiropractic practitioners and chiropractic students, should be provided only to those individuals who have graduated from or are currently matriculating in a chiropractic college that is accredited by a recognized accrediting body for the chiropractic profession. We are grateful for the growing relationship with ABQ to keep us informed of the chiropractic schools in Brazil that meet this standard. The ICA holds that it is the responsibility of those providing such programs to carefully monitor the participants to determine their status as chiropractic students or as chiropractors.

Dr. Sigafoose Jackson stated, “The ICA is very concerned that individuals and organizations are coming into Brazil and the region and teaching programs and technique classes to individuals who are not qualified as chiropractors or chiropractic students. We feel so strongly about this, that members caught in violation of this policy face expulsion from the ICA. I appreciate the invitation to be a presenter at the IX Brazilian Chiropractic Congress.”

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Media Contact: Beth Clay, Executive Director – bclay@amillerchiropractic-org

Cell/WhatsApp: 1-202-498-4461