Chiropractic is Non-Invasive, Isn’t It?
by Bill Decken, D.C.
The South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners (SCBCE) met on February 6, 2003, and yours truly was present as an observer on behalf of the PSCA.
Former Governor Hodges managed to fill a vacant slot on the Board by appointment before he left office. The new appointee is an officer in a state trade association other than the PSCA. This brings to three the number of Board members who currently have a conflict of interests. It was interesting that the state-appointed attorney that advises the Board (and who impressed Dr. Dick Plummer) admonished the Board members to remember that they wear the hat of a state representative and not a trade association officer. I will give you the facts — you be the judge as to whether they heard her advice.
The Erchonia Laser, a non-invasive, blue light laser (whatever that is, perhaps a Kmart item) which is also used in acupuncture, was brought up for discussion at the request of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). Apparently, South Carolina was the only state in the union to not allow its use in chiropractic practice and the FCLB asked our Board of Examiners to do something about it.
The Erchonia Laser is not a new topic of discussion for the SCBCE. A few years ago the same issue was raised and spoken against by the straight chiropractic voices of Decken, Jones and Plummer who no longer serve on the Board. It was pointed out at the time that not one Board member knew anything about how the laser worked or if it was safe.
The present Board has now voted in favor of adding this non-chiropractic modality to its approved list of non-chiropractic adjuncts. It is interesting to note that the Erchonia Laser is marketed in our professional
journals as a means of “aligning subluxations of your bottom line.” It is offered as a tool that will straighten out your practice.”
Advertisements say nothing about how it enhances patient care or even how the technology helps the healing processes of the body. There was no discussion by the Board as to how the laser works or whether it is safe, except to infer that it is safe because 49 other states and the acupuncture profession condone it.
You decide — did the SCBCE act as a body appointed to protect the public or as a collection of chiropractic physicians enhancing the bottom line?
Several practitioners (English translation is “one chiropractic physician”) have inquired as to the appropriateness of using needle EMG in chiropractic practice. The current ruling in the Rules and Regulations that govern our profession approves of non-invasive EMG, in other words, surface EMG, as long as the proper training has been obtained.
The Board decided that a motion was not needed because a ruling already exists that will cover it and allow it. It was truly amazing to listen to the Board discuss how NEEDLE EMG is no more invasive than other modalities employed in some chiropractic offices. Thank you former President Clinton, what do you mean by “is”?
Just when you think you are hearing things that can’t possibly be uttered, it gets worse. Have you ever seen the “Back to the Future” series with Michael J. Fox? Well, at one point in the movie, the bully is knocking on the head of Fox’s character and saying “Hello, McFly.” Well, I felt like doing that to these Board members.
Immediately after agreeing that needle EMG was non-invasive the Board decided that acupuncture was out of our scope of practice because it is invasive. Don’t acupuncture and needle EMG both require the use of needles that puncture (English translation is invade) the skin? Exactly what do you mean by “is”?
Remember, one way to change the way the SCBCE conducts business is to have PSCA members on the Board. Will it be you? Will it be someone you bring into the PSCA?