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The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) conducted a consultation on the identity of the chiropractic profession during 2005. There was unanimous agreement on the most appropriate public identity for the chiropractic profession within health care. This is stipulated as "the spinal health care experts in the health care system."
In South Africa, chiropractic is fully integrated as a health care discipline. We are the spinal health care experts in our health care system. It is the wish of the Chiropractic Association that every South African chiropractor identifies with the statement of the WFC.
What sets us apart is our ability to improve function in the neuromusculoskeletal system, and overall health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Our profession has adopted a specialized approach to examination, diagnosis and treatment, based on best available research and clinical evidence with particular emphasis on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system.
We have a tradition of effectiveness and patient satisfaction.
Chiropractic succeeds without the use of drugs and surgery, enabling patients to avoid these procedures whenever possible.
Chiropractors are considered expertly qualified providers of spinal adjustment, manipulation and other manual treatments, exercise instruction and patient education.
Of utmost importance is collaboration with other health professionals.
Chiropractic is a patient-centered and biopsychosocial approach, emphasizing the mind/body relationship in health, the self-healing powers of the individual, and individual responsibility for health and encouraging patient independence.
As health care professionals we endeavour to adhere to the following attributes:
- expert
- professional
- ethical
- knowledgeable
- accessible
- caring
- human
- positive
Our educational institutions, University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Durban University of Technology (DUT), instill in their students the above values. Both institutions award a Masters Degree in Chiropractic after six years of education and training. Students are schooled in a broadly based curriculum adhering to the norms and standards of Chiropractic Education as set by such bodies as the Council on Chiropractic Education (see www.cce-usa.org) and applied by various Chiropractic Universities and Institutions around the world.
The Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) is a voluntary association that exists to further the cause of chiropractic in South Africa. They have been instrumental in establishing our very favourable legislation. CASA is in constant communication with professional organisations and associations within the healthcare system to ensure the future of the chiropractic profession is as good as it is now.
Currently, most of the major Medical Administrators reimburse for chiropractic services. Those injured on duty can be assured that chiropractic services are also reimbursed by COIDA. The realisation that chiropractic is an effective and cost-effective approach to spinal health care is well established within the health care system.
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