ICA 2022 REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

October 28, 2022

Dear ICA Colleague:

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is a responsive, accountable, democratic organization, dedicated to the founding principles of our profession.  ICA, an open organization at all levels and unique among chiropractic associations, chooses its leaders through a democratic process.  ICA’s strength flows from the input, insight, dedication and service of its members.  This is an invitation to you to join that process by taking a leadership role in your Association by serving as Assembly Representative for your state, province, or country. 

This year we are changing the process in two ways.  First, all jurisdictions are up for nominations/election this year – and going forward we will hold elections every two years.  Second, we are converting to online voting through a secure voting software.  Attached to this message is the intent to run form and information.  Deadline to submit is November 19.   

INCUMBENTS MUST DECLARE THEIR INTENT TO RUN; YOU WILL NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY PLACED ON THE BALLOT

 I invite you to carefully consider if this is a leadership role in which you are interested in serving.  If so, enliven the democratic process and support ICA’s leadership in the profession by running for this important office.  All RAs are expected to attend our annual meeting in Las Vegas on April 20-22, 2023.

If you have any questions on any aspect of this process, please do not hesitate to contact ICA Executive Director, at the ICA headquarters toll free from the United States and Canada at 1-800-423-4690, or by e-mail at chiro@chiropractic.org.  Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.  I look forward to an exciting election season for ICA, and a bright future because of all the strengths and values the democratic process signifies.

I also want to share with you that we will be holding our Annual Convention that includes the Board and Assembly Meetings, but also includes continuing education opportunities and our general members meeting April 20-22, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  All ICA members are invited and encouraged to attend.

Yours in Service,

Brian Moriarty, DC, FICA

Secretary

2022 International Chiropractors Association

Representative Assembly Elections – All Jurisdictions

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is holding elections for all jurisdictions of the Assembly.  This is a change from previous election cycles when the elections were spread across two years.  The ICA membership determines who will represent them in the Assembly.  Elections for ICA Representative Assembly will be held in all US States, All Canadian Provinces, and All International Jurisdictions in which there are ICA members.  Two Jurisdictions this year qualify for 2 Representatives – the Netherlands and the state of Kansas.   

International Region

Aruba (1)

Australia (1)

Austria (1)

Bahamas (1)

Belgium (1)

Brazil (1)

Cambodia (1)

China (1)

Congo (1)

Curacao (1)

Finland (1)

France (1)

Germany (1)

Ghana (1)

Greece (1)

Guam (1)

Hong Kong (1)

Hungary (1)

Ireland (1)

Israel (1)

Italy (1)

Japan (1)

Republic of Korea (1)

Lebanon (1)

Nepal (1)

Netherlands (2)

New Zealand (1)

Norway (1)

Oman (1)

Philippines (1)

Portugal (1)

Singapore (1)               

South Africa (1)            

Spain (1)                        

Sweden (1)

Switzerland (1)             

United Arab Emirates (1)

United Kingdom (1)      

Virgin Islands (1)

CANADIAN Region

Alberta (1)

British Columbia (1)

Manitoba (1)

New Brunswick (1)

Newfoundland and Labrador (1)

Nova Scotia (1)

Ontario (1)

Quebec (1)

Saskatchewan (1)

UNITED STATES  Region

Alabama (1)

Alaska(1)

Arizona (1)

Arkansas (1)

California (1)

Colorado (1)

Connecticut (1)

Delaware (1)

District of Columbia (1)

Florida (1)

Georgia (1)

Hawaii (1)

Idaho (1)

Illinois (1)

Indiana (1)

Iowa (1)

Kansas (2)

Kentucky (1)

Louisiana (1)

Maine (1)

Maryland (1)

Massachusetts (1)

Michigan (1)

Minnesota (1)

Mississippi (1)

Missouri (1)

Montana (1)

Nebraska (1)

Nevada (1)

New Hampshire (1)

New Jersey (1)

New Mexico (1)

New York (1)

North Carolina (1)

North Dakota (1)

Ohio (1)

Oklahoma (1)

Oregon (1)

Pennsylvania (1)

Puerto Rico (1)

Rhode Island (1)

South Carolina (1)

South Dakota (1)

Tennessee (1)

Texas (1)

Utah (1)

Vermont (1)

Virginia (1)

Washington (1)

West Virginia (1)

Wisconsin (1)

Wyoming (1)

Figures in parentheses- number of seats available in each jurisdiction, based on a census of ICA members in good standing in each jurisdiction as of October 18, 2022.  All seats are for a two-year term.

Eligible Candidates (1) must maintain their principal office in jurisdiction they seek to represent, and (2) must be voting members of the ICA In good standing for a minimum of 1 year prior to running, unless no other available candidate is in the jurisdiction who has been a member for a minimum of 1 year. 

This is your chance to get involved in the ICA!

If you would like to represent your state, province, or country in the ICA Representative Assembly, please fill out and sign and return the ‘Intent to Run’ form below.  This form must be in the ICA offices no later than November 19, 2022.  Fax or email preferred; the postal service is still terribly slow.  You may submit this form by fax 1-703-528-5023 or email it to chiro@chiropractic.org.  You will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your form within 48 hours and be provided additional election details. 

Online Voting:  This year we are conducting the election online through a secure voting system, so that all active ICA members who are eligible to vote may participate.  You will receive an email with the sample ballot for your jurisdiction.  This sample ballot and instructions on how to go online and vote will be emailed to you by November 25, 2022.  You will have until December 26, 2022, to cast your vote online. 

If you have any questions, please contact ICA Executive Director, Beth Clay, or  Executive Assistant Taylor Carter at 1-703-528-5000/1-800-423-4690. Or email chiro@chiropractic.org.

INCUMBENTS MUST DECLARE THEIR INTENT TO RUN; YOU WILL NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY PLACED ON THE BALLOT.

Serving in the Representative Assembly is an important activity within the ICA.  Your Representative is your jurisdictions liaison to the Home Office, to the Board, and is responsible for keeping ICA informed of regulations, policies, and legislation that effects the chiropractic profession and those we serve. Representatives are also the liaison from the Home Office and Board back to their jurisdiction and play a vital role in promoting the ICA, helping grow membership, and mentoring and facilitating mentoring of students and young graduates.

If you do not know your membership number, please visit our website https://www.chiropractic.org and sign into our membership software to obtain your Membership number.  If you have any challenges, please call the office and someone will be happy to help you. 

This notice is only going out to Active ICA Voting members.  If someone believes they should have received it, they should first check their spam folder and then call the office.

New Representatives will be sworn in through a Zoom meeting in January and be invited to attend the April 20-22, 2023 ICA Annual Convention for the in person Assembly meeting, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

RETURN BY November 19, 2022

Declaration of Intent to Run, 2022 ICA Representative Assembly Elections

Please print clearly or type:

I, _____________________________, am an ICA voting member in good standing and desire to have my name placed on the ballot as an eligible candidate for Assembly Representative for the state/territory/province/nation of ______________________________________________________.

Signed: _________________________________ Date_______________

Membership Number: __________________

Return  By Fax: 703-528-5023   By Email:  chiro@chiropractic.org

ICA Elections, 6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 650, Falls Church, VA 22042

SASid (Smart and Simple Insurance Development) Vice President, Greg Hellmich noted, “SASid utilizes a state-of-the-art online platform combined with personalized service. In addition to the online platform access, ICA members will be able to talk with licensed benefits specialists at the ICA dedicated toll-free number (1.888.626.0273). Our teams are pleased and proud to be of service to ICA membership and staff.”

SASid is based in Janesville, Wisconsin and specializes in providing membership organizations including the National Association of Realtors, the NBA Alumni Association, and others insurance products tailored to the needs of their membership.  Member options through this platform include traditional health insurance plans, short term medical as well as vision, dental, life options and more. Disability insurance products are being added shortly.

ICA Executive Director, Beth Clay stated, “ICA is pleased to establish this relationship with SASid and to roll out these member benefits for ICA members in the United States.  We are pleased to give our members an insurance platform to select products as desired, to craft their own practice’s employee benefits packages – whether that is providing the insurance product as an employee benefit, or simply making it available to employees to pay for themselves in a payroll deduction.  Insurance products may vary from state to state based on state regulations.” 

The ICA Health Insurance Portal is available to our members

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Members can access the Insurance Dashboard when they sign into their member account on the ICA Website, or simply call the dedicated toll free number 1.888.626.0273

CMS is clear – this interim final rule does not apply to other health care entities such as ‘physician’ office, only to the providers and suppliers listed below.

This is an extensive document (over 200 pages). You can read it here in its unofficial posting

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-23831.pdf

The ICA will be reviewing and providing comments to CMS. We had previously notified membership through a press release of September 13 which provided:

Updated September 13 at 3:30 pm: CMS provided the following information on background regarding clarification on the mandate rule:

“This regulation does not directly apply to physician’s offices as these are not regulated under the provider-specific Medicare health and safety regulatory provisions, generally referred to as “Conditions of Participation.”

Given that Doctors of Chiropractic are ‘physicians’ in Medicare, this mandate as currently issued, will not apply to chiropractors in private practice. ICA will keep you posted if this changes.

Updated September 13 at 1:10 pm: Official Statement from CMS Spokesperson on background, “

On background and attributable to CMS spokesperson:

CMS anticipates that the staff vaccination requirement would apply to Medicare and Medicaid-certified provider and supplier types that comply with the Medicare health and safety regulatory provisions, known as the Conditions of Participation, which includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, and home health agencies.”

It would appear the spokesperson was accurate on September 13.

The List of providers and Suppliers included in this interim final rule.

● Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) (§ 416.51)

● Hospices (§ 418.60)

● Psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs) (§ 441.151)

● Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) (§ 460.74)

● Hospitals (acute care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, hospital swing beds, long term

care hospitals, children’s hospitals, transplant centers, cancer hospitals, and rehabilitation

hospitals/inpatient rehabilitation facilities) (§ 482.42)

● Long Term Care (LTC) Facilities, including Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and

Nursing Facilities (NFs), generally referred to as nursing homes (§ 483.80)

● Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) (§ 483.430)

● Home Health Agencies (HHAs) (§ 484.70)

● Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs) (§§ 485.58 and 485.70)

● Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) (§ 485.640)

● Clinics, rehabilitation agencies, and public health agencies as providers of outpatient

physical therapy and speech-language pathology services (§ 485.725)

● Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) (§ 485.904)

● Home Infusion Therapy (HIT) suppliers (§ 486.525)

● Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)/Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) (§ 491.8)

● End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Facilities (§ 494.30)

If you are not employed in one of these facilities and thus you are not effected.

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Updated Friday morning 8:00 am – Overnight CMS issued the formal announcement with a press release. The link is available here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-issues-emergency-regulation-requiring-covid-19-vaccination-health-care

FAQ link: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-omnibus-staff-vax-requirements-2021.pdf

Midway through the FAQ page it again reiterates this rule – this vaccine mandate- does not apply to “physician officers” (Doctors of Chiropractic are categorized as physicians in Medicare) – so you and your staff if not in one of the named facilities are not subject to this mandate.

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

International Chiropractors Association Affirms Policy on Health Freedom

12 October 2021, (Falls Church, VA):  In Fall 2021, we find ourselves in situations that are not aligned with the inalienable human rights of health freedom, freedom of movement, and freedom of speech. Parents with legitimate grievances are being labeled as domestic terrorists, factual data is being reported as misinformation, access to public venues is being severely restricted, and even job security is being threatened by Draconian mandates not supported by science. 

In a world of public health that promotes evidence-based decision making, we see the importance of natural immunity being ignored and replaced with a totalitarian approach of compulsory vaccination.  At a time when the Surgeon General says misinformation has become an urgent threat to public health, misinformation is now being used in an attempt to discredit the chiropractic profession, the International Chiropractors Association, and all chiropractic patients who desire to focus on improving health naturally. After enduring 18 months of shutdowns, lockdowns, flattening the curve, masking, limitations of speech on social media; and a cancel culture environment that threatens the basic freedoms our country was founded upon in 1776, ICA will not compromise on the importance of protecting health freedom.  In 1776, our Founders agreed: 

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The International Chiropractors Association has never had a policy against the use of vaccinations and adamantly rejects recent published misinformation that misrepresents its position on “Health Freedom”.  The ICA Policy on Immunization and Vaccination has remained unchanged for almost 50 years and clearly states:

“The International Chiropractors Association recognizes that the use of vaccines is not without risk and questions the wisdom of mass vaccination programs.  Chiropractic principles favor the enhancement of natural immunity over artificial immunization.

The ICA supports each individual’s right to select his or her own health care and to be made aware of the possible adverse effects of vaccines upon a human body.  In accordance with such principles and based upon the individual’s right to freedom of choice, the ICA is opposed to compulsory programs which infringe upon such rights.

The International Chiropractors Association is supportive of a conscience clause or waiver in compulsory vaccination laws, providing an elective course of action for all regarding immunization, thereby allowing patients freedom of choice in matters affecting their bodies and health.”

The International Chiropractors Association maintains that all healthcare interventions, including the chiropractic adjustment, are associated with some level of risk and that every individual is entitled to be informed of those risks, no matter how insignificant. All individuals must retain the freedom to accept or reject any healthcare product, procedure, or medication including vaccinations.  The International Chiropractors Association therefore strongly opposes the use of medical mandates that violate personal sovereignty, violate the principles of informed consent, and constrain the rights of patients to make their own health care choices.  The ICA Policy is grounded in the principles of the Nuremburg Code that apply to medical research and influenced the development of informed consent for all medical procedures.  The first principle defines that

“The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential”.

“This means that the person involved should have legal capacity to give consent; should be so situated as to be able to exercise free power of choice, without the intervention of any element of force, fraud, deceit, duress, overreaching, or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion; and should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the elements of the subject matter involved as to enable him to make an understanding and enlightened decision.”

The chiropractic profession was founded in 1895 by D.D. Palmer who wanted to know the secret of good health: Why did one person get sick while others living under the same roof, eating the same food, and working the same way, remained healthy? For over 125 years the Chiropractic Profession has focused on health rather than disease, has postulated the basic principle that the health of the host and its ability to adapt to its external environment is more important than the virulence of the disease it is exposed to. 

The ICA encourages the recognition that natural efforts to enhance the innate immune system ability to adapt to novel viruses are grounded in science and rejects the notion that the patients’ freedom to rely on naturally acquired immunity is not based upon unscientific beliefs.

The ICA rejects the premise that the chiropractic profession’s long history of promoting health freedom and supporting conscientious exemptions is based upon unscientific or non-mainstream beliefs.

The ICA rejects the premise that American parents organizing to promote truth in education, or to speak up on behalf of their children constitutes domestic terrorism.  ICA further asserts that all patients and their families have the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances including those grievances against mandates. 

Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson, ICA Board President stated, “While the actual truth on COVID cases, consequences, and deaths, as well as the science on the long-term benefit and risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccines is still a moving target; what is not a moving target is the right of all to health freedom. That is an inalienable human right.”

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August 17, 2021 (Falls Church, VA) The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) applauds publication of “Radiophobia Overreaction: College of Chiropractors of British Columbia Revoke Full X-Ray Rights Based on Flawed Study and Radiation Fear-Mongering”[1] the work of Dr. Paul A. Oakley, Dr. Joseph W. Betz, Dr. Deed E. Harrison, Dr. Leonard A. Siskin, Dr. Donald W. Hirsh, and the International Chiropractors Association Rapid Response Research Review Subcommittee.  The Oakley team conducted a thorough analysis of the flawed rapid review of the literature published by Pierre Côté, et. al. [2] which was conducted due to a contracted request of the regulatory Board, the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia, Canada (CCBC).  The regulatory body moved aggressively after receipt of the Côté review announcing in February 2021[1] restrictions on doctors of chiropractic to utilize x-ray imaging in the management of patients with spine disorders in accordance with their own training and best judgement.

The CCBC initiated the contract for the paper based on unfounded concern that patient safety was at risk through chiropractors’ use of x-ray imaging to assess their patients and ignored several evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.  The actions by the CCBC were not based in the full body of peer-reviewed published research and many experts, especially those with advanced post graduate training in upper cervical care, have expressed concern to the ICA that the draconian limitations instituted by the CCBC may put patients at risk.

The Oakley team identified numerous flaws with the Côté paper that include:

• Inappropriate use of a rapid review;
• Flawed study design that limited literature only to x-ray studies conducted by chiropractors;
• Further limits due to flawed search strategy limited to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine;
• Used the term ‘red flag’ but provided no definition;
• Included only 9 papers, all older than 15 years;
• Strong conclusion based on little and conflicting evidence; and
• A priori bias of the authors evident within the text of the paper.

“The International Chiropractors Association has grave concerns about the actions of the CCBC to limit imaging, perpetuate unscientific radiophobia fear mongering, and most importantly put an unnecessary risk to patient safety and wellbeing.” Beth Clay, ICA Executive Director stated.  “The science is clear – X-ray technology of 2021 is far superior and safer than the technology in use in the 1930s, which was deemed safe and appropriate for use by the CCBC.  ICA calls for an immediate reversal of the draconian red flag rule implemented in February.”

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1.  Oakley, P., Radiophobia Overreaction: College of Chiropractors of British Columbia Revoke Full X-Ray Rights Based on Flawed Study and Radiation Fear-Mongering. Dose-Response, 2021. 19: p. 1-35. URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15593258211033142

2.  Corso, M., et al., The clinical utility of routine spinal radiographs by chiropractors: a rapid review of the literature. Chiropr Man Therap, 2020. 28(1): p. 33.

[1] https://www.chirobc.com/standards-legislation/standards-of-practice/professional-conduct-handbook/

Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson, President of the ICA Board stated, “The board of the International Chiropractors Association met face to face in Nashville on August 12, 2021. We devoted a segment of our time together to carefully craft an inspiring, intelligent, and respectful policy statement regarding health freedom and personal choice.  We are proud of the work we did together and voted unanimously on the statement to release to our members and chiropractic community.”

The Board determined a health freedom focused policy statement was warranted given current events with government encroachment into the relationship between individuals and their health care provider, and in their health care decision making as well as the use of medical mandates that constrain the practice of doctors of chiropractic and their staffs and limit their clients’ access to care 

Components of the policy statement include:

• Recognition of our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and inherent to this is the right of individual healthcare decision making – health freedom.
• Per the most important document in medical ethics history, the Nuremberg Code, the voluntary consent of an individual is essential with respect to experimentation.
• Every individual must retain their freedom of choice with respect to any healthcare product, therapeutic, procedure, or medication.
• The International Chiropractors Association opposes the mandating of any healthcare product, therapeutic, procedure, or medication.
• The International Chiropractors Association strongly opposes the use of medical mandates to restrain the trade of doctors of chiropractic and their staff.

As an ICA member if you are experiencing limitations to your health freedom in the United States, please contact the ICA at chiro@chiropractic.org

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The research team was led by Professor Ibrahim M. Moustafa and included Professors Aliaa A. Diab and Fatma Hegazy, and Dr. Deed E. Harrison. Their research focused on disorders of the cervical spine, which are known to be among the greatest contributors to spine pain, disability, and work loss worldwide. As these experts noted, “there are wide variations in assessment methods and treatment approaches for patients presenting with cervical spine disorders.  Problematically, most treatments for neck disorders have limited efficacy and this is particularly evident after long-term, post-therapeutic follow-up.” The team noted the general agreement on the need for conservative treatment approaches for cervical spine abnormalities and determined to conduct research needed to fill the evidence gaps.  The researchers observed that “Cervical spine alignment has been shown to be significantly related to patient outcomes and conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial at Cairo University utilizing the Denneroll cervical orthodic for cervical traction (used frequently by doctors of chiropractic with post graduate training in Chiropractic Applied Sciences and Chiropractic Biophysics.) 

The research team identified a reduced cervical lordosis and anterior head translation is associated with differences in neural activity at several regions (cortical and subcortical) of the somatosensory system.  Restoration of the cervical sagittal alignment, in terms of increased cervical lordosis and reduced anterior head translation, has a direct influence on the central conduction time.  Clinical interventions directed at improving central processing through restoring the normal sagittal alignment could be added to clinical interventions targeting specific spinal disorders. Importantly, this study adds to the literature supporting subluxation detection and correction using Xray mensuration analysis.

The prestigious Scientific Reports is a Nature journal and is the 6th most cited research journal worldwide.  Dr. Hegazy is affiliated with the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates; and Dr. Diab is affiliated with Cairo University, in Giza, Egypt. Dr. Moustafa has affiliations with both the University of Sharjah and Cairo University.

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1.         Moustafa, I.M., Diab, A.A., Hegazy, F., Harrison, D.E., Demonstration of central conduction time and neuroplastic changes after cervical lordosis rehabilitation in asymptomatic subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 2021. 11(1): p. 15379.

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) applauds JAMA for helping advance the public awareness on the value of nondrug options for low back pain. This is an integral action for the conventional medical community in overcoming their over reliance on prescribing pain medicine including opioids. The non-drug approach in particular spinal manipulation, which chiropractors refer to as spinal adjustments focuses on understanding and addressing the root causes of pain, rather than simply suppressing the symptom of pain through drugs. Research evidence validates that when consumers first avenue of care is chiropractic, the likelihood they will end up with an opioid prescription is reduced by half.

Upon reviewing the JAMA Patient Page, ICA Board Chair, Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson stated, “Every day world-wide ICA Doctors of Chiropractic see patients who enter their offices with varying levels of low back pain. Our chiropractors use their extensive training and experience to remove the subluxation through the chiropractic adjustment. By removing the interference of the subluxation, the body’s own innate ability is increased and able to create an environment within to heal and ultimately experience less pain. This is why the ICA focuses forward every day to build a stronger tomorrow for chiropractic and chiropractors worldwide.”

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Several months ago, Dr. Bob’s work and dedication to the chiropractic profession was highlighted in his local newspaper, The St. Thomas Source. Excerpts of the article by Amy H. Roberts. are featured below.

From the St. Thomas Source: Dr. Robert De Bonis, a chiropractor in Coral Bay better known as “Dr. Bob,” found there truly was a silver lining when Hurricane Irma destroyed his office. “The International Chiropractors Association had been wanting me to take an active role in promoting chiropractic for a number of years, but I could never make the commitment,” said De Bonis. With the loss of his office, however, he decided to take the opportunity to travel.

De Bonis joined a group of eight western chiropractors traveling in China. Accompanied by interpreters, they fanned out, each taking a different route, to treat tens of thousands of patients. Since 2017, De Bonis has been to 30 cities in China on four different trips. “They treat me like a rock star,” he said, his eyes revealing a smile mostly concealed by his face mask worn throughout the interview – a sign of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Though chiropractic was not known in most places he went, the basic idea is not a strange concept for the Chinese. “Chiropractic and eastern philosophy are well-matched,” De Bonis said.

“Chiropractors understand that there’s an ‘intelligence’ or power to the energy that dwells in everyone,” he said. “The Chinese call it ‘Chi.’ This intelligence uses the brain, spinal cord – the entire central nervous system – as the master communication system.”

Dr. De Bonis adjusts a patient in China. (Photo provided by Dr. De Bonis)

“When you’re healthy and you’re functioning correctly, all the body parts are getting the necessary information from the brain and giving necessary feedback to the brain. There are literally millions and millions of signals all the time” regulating blood pressure, kidney functions, the digestive system – all of the body’s functions, De Bonis said.

“Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct nerve blockages. When a spinal bone [vertebra] is out of alignment, it is the first step in disease – a lack of harmony in the body. I check the spine, find imbalances and correct them.” He compared the body to a well-tuned instrument. “There’s a correct tone, like a guitar string. That’s why everyone should come in for a tune-up.”…

To qualify for a degree, chiropractors take 5,000 hours of academic training, taking courses in anatomy and physiology that are almost identical to those required in medical schools. Like traditional medical doctors, they honor the Hippocratic Oath, “First, do no harm.” “We screen people,” said De Bonis. “How you treat a 97-year-old with osteoporosis is different from how you’d treat a healthy middle-aged person. For a baby, you’d use the amount of pressure you’d use on an eyeball. It would be different for a 250-lb guy who lifts rocks all day. I do what’s appropriate, as little as possible, so the body can do the most.”

Dr. De Bonis shares a moment with a baby while in China. (Photo provided by Robert De Bonis)

De Bonis was impressed by the differences between the overall health of the populations of the U.S. and China. “In China, I found more people needed less care. It has to do with the eastern lifestyle. At 9 p.m. you’d find in the town square someone with a little speaker and a microphone, and elderly women and men line dancing. They’ve adopted a healthier lifestyle.” However, with the increased availability of American fast food in China and a love of “all things American,” De Bonis wonders if this will change.

When Hurricane Irma left him with a couple of rain-soaked diplomas and a portable table for treating patients. He took that table to the firehouse in Coral Bay to adjust anyone who needed it following the hurricane. One day, when adjusting a first responder who arrived on St. John from New Jersey, the man looked up and said, “Don’t I know you? You adjusted me at the Javits Center in New York City after 9/11.”

In the last two years, De Bonis has also made two trips to Tonga, an archipelago nation in Polynesia, and one trip to India, where more than a million followers of a guru gathered in a tent city north of Mumbai.

To read more of Dr. De Bonis’ story, please click below.

Story acquired from Dr. Robert De Bonis and written by By Amy H. Roberts – The St. Thomas Source – July 2020 (Photos provided by Amy H. Roberts and Dr. Robert De Bonis)

May 14, 2021 (Falls Church, VA) The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) appreciates the strong leadership displayed by ICA Lifetime member, Dr. Karlos Boghosian during his tenure as President of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) from May 2019 to May 2021. No one could have predicted at the 2019 FCLB meeting in San Diego, that a mere 8 months later a global pandemic would be declared, borders would be closed, and stay at home orders would be issued. With Dr. Boghosian at the helm, the FCLB weathered this pandemic storm, while also tending to the regulatory matters of chiropractic across the country and around the world.

The ICA was the first to remind the world that chiropractors are essential health care providers at the start of the pandemic; however, it was Dr. Boghosian’s video message from FCLB that got traction in the community. FCLB moved to help state boards assert this position to their respective state governors and healthcare leaders. Technical assistance including providing sample letters proved to be a timely and successful effort which led some states to re-evaluate their position regarding chiropractors as essential health care providers.

Separate from COVID, Dr. Boghosian and the FCLB has actively engaged on numerous activities that support the chiropractic profession as a whole and align with the the ICA’s goals of protecting and promoting chiropractic. 
The decade long Texas Chiropractic Board battle with the Texas Medical Association over inclusion of the nervous system in chiropractic practice was aided by the FCLB through financial support of an Amicus Brief. The FCLB investment in the future of chiropractic in Texas paid off with a victory in the unanimous opinion of the supreme Court of Texas in favor of the Texas Chiropractic Board.

During Dr. Boghosian’s tenure, the FCLB’s advocacy efforts included:

• Resolution affirming safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children in Australia.
• A revision of FCLB’s Model Practice Act for Chiropractic regulation for the statutory definitions “Chiropractic” to include both “Subluxation” and “Primary health discipline that recognizes the inherent recuperative power of the body, to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery”.
• Three historic resolutions by the delegate assembly:

1. Chiropractic Includes the Nervous System
2. Radiographic Imaging and Chiropractic Practice
3. Recognizing Subluxation

• Management oversight of the organization that included strategic plans, product innovation, organizational structure management processes and collaborative efforts leading to meaningful and material growth both in FCLB’s financial health and visibility of the organization in the past two years.
• The Providers of Approved Continuing Education (PACE) which had over 57,000 in course attendance in 2020. Highest ever recorded since inception.

In May 2021, Dr. Boghosian passed the FCLB baton to Dr. Carol J. Winkler form North Dakota. We congratulate Dr. Winkler on her election and look forward to working with her and the entire FCLB team. We note, that like ICA’s top elected chiropractor, Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson, ICA’s new Board Chair, that Dr. Winkler is a second-generation chiropractor whose father was a chiropractic leader (Carol H. Winkler) who served as FCLB President from 1993-1995. 

The ICA values the FCLB role in the chiropractic profession as is an association of chiropractic regulatory boards whose membership extends throughout the United States and internationally. FCLB lessens burdens on state government by providing programs and services to its membership. It is the primary mission of the FCLB to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the consumer of chiropractic services by promoting excellence in chiropractic regulation. Regulation and licensure exist across the globe to protect the public, while affording citizens the ability to utilize duly educated and licensed doctors of chiropractic as part of their health care team. Just as chiropractic is separate and distinct profession, the regulatory needs are in some ways unique and require experts in the profession to guide government regulators through the nuances of chiropractic to insure the best possible regulatory framework for consumers and the profession. FCLB fills that niche.

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