Another Arkansas?

It certainly is interesting that we are having a resurgence of interest in our Chiropractic Perspective blog entry.

It seems the Tennessee Chiropractors are attempting to follow the precedent established in Arkansas. Here is an article in The Tennesseean from Thursday April 12, 2007. It's called Therapist at odds with chiropractors. Though I hate testimonials, I think one of the patients of this particular therapist sums up a lot of issues at once with her quote. I cut out her last name for the purpose of the blog entry :

"Green Hills resident Laura A's back problems led her to Rebecca Lowe's practice for about two years. She knows about the bill and the amendment, which could affect Lowe's business. "I love my doctor. I don't want to trash a doctor, but I did have to call my doctor and see her if I wanted an order to see Rebecca. Why does a doctor need to tell me my back hurts?" [Ms] A said. "What would be the value of (physical therapy) if Rebecca couldn't have used manipulation? I had gone to chiropractors, but when they worked on me, I didn't get relief. It wasn't a long-term solution." [Ms] A said Lowe taught her to do stretches and learn to treat herself.  "Her whole goal is how can you get better and how can I make you better for life. It wasn't like how can I make money. She's in it for the passion she has for healing people," [Ms] A said. "She really has taught me how to not only get over the damage I caused, but how to prevent it again."

I think that about sums up a lot of issues - direct access, manual therapy, patient independence, etc, etc.

I found this article through EIM's great Evidence Express Service.

Any comments, especially from our chiropractic guests?

Comments

[Tim Flynn]

All,
This is another example of a profession which lacks science trying to make up for it by legislative pay outs. In Tennessee there are 3 times as many PT as chiropractors. There is also 3 state funded and 1 private Physical Therapy program at the University level. HOWEVER, the PT PAC pales in comparison to the chiro PAC. For those loyal bloggers please consider supporting the TN PAC and more importantly call your friends, family members, and classmates to get involved. Here is the link to the TN PT PAC website:
http://www.tptaonline.org/Assets/PDF/tpt_pac_contribution_form.pdf

Also you may want to check out the illegal legislative activity in North Carolina we have previously blogged about. It appears that the from the chiropractic state boards perspective it is acceptable behavior to make illegal payouts.
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/558532.html

[Scott Newton]

Thanks for the support. As reported in the news article the TPTA and the Chiropractic association are divided on an amendment attached to our direct access bill. Our less restrictive direct access bill is being held captive by the chiropractic association-the only association opposing our bill.The amendment they are proposing would not allow PTs to perform spinal manipulation ...beyond normal range of motion without exceeding anatomical integrity. Our Bill passed the Senate without the amendment with a vote of 30-0 but in the House we are having problems with the amendment. The House Health Committee should be voting on the bill next Tuesday.
Scott Newton, PT, DPT, OCS, CWS.
Tennessee Legislative Co-Chair

[Tim Mondale]

Tennessee,

Hold out and never compromise with anyone that would attempt to limit our practice in this manner. Direct access will come. We take a huge and difficult to recover from step back if it comes at the compromise of our ability to manipulate in any manner.

Tim