A Brief Review of Chiropractic Educational Programs and Recommendations for Celebrating Education on Chiropractic Day.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the growth of chiropractic education globally and a chronological list of current training programs. Another purpose is to provide exemplars of enduring programs and offer suggestions for how chiropractic practitioners may celebrate education on Chiropractic Day, which is September 18. Discussion: Chiropractic education has transformed considerably over the past 125 years, and there are now 52 programs globally. We consider the 5 longest-existing chiropractic programs and propose hypotheses for what may have contributed to their durability. In addition, we offer ideas and opportunities for how chiropractic practitioners may focus on chiropractic education when celebrating the founding of the profession. Conclusion: Since its inception, chiropractic education has expanded around the world and continues to develop. Recognized accreditation agencies and testing organizations are ensuring that standards of education are established and maintained internationally. With innovation, international collaboration, and a commitment to continuous professional development, the future of chiropractic education is bright. We urge chiropractic practitioners from all over the world to celebrate these accomplishments on Chiropractic Day.

COVID-19: how has a global pandemic changed manual therapy technique education in chiropractic programs around the world?

BACKGROUND: Manual therapy is a cornerstone of chiropractic education, whereby students work towards a level of skill and expertise that is regarded as competent to work within the field of chiropractic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, chiropractic programs in every region around the world had to make rapid changes to the delivery of manual therapy technique education, however what those changes looked like was unknown. AIMS: The aims of this study were to describe the immediate actions made by chiropractic programs to deliver education for manual therapy techniques and to summarise the experience of academics who teach manual therapy techniques during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive approach was used to describe the immediate actions made by chiropractic programs to deliver manual therapy technique education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chiropractic programs were identified from the webpages of the Councils on Chiropractic Education International and the Council on Chiropractic Education - USA. Between May and June 2020, a convenience sample of academics who lead or teach in manual therapy technique in those programs were invited via email to participate in an online survey with open-ended questions. Responses were entered into the NVivo software program and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis by a qualitative researcher independent to the data collection. RESULTS: Data from 16 academics in 13 separate chiropractic programs revealed five, interconnected themes: Immediate response; Move to online delivery; Impact on learning and teaching; Additional challenges faced by educators; and Ongoing challenges post lockdown. CONCLUSION: This study used a qualitative descriptive approach to describe how some chiropractic programs immediately responded to the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in their teaching of manual therapy techniques. Chiropractic programs around the world provided their students with rapid, innovative learning strategies, in an attempt to maintain high standards of chiropractic education; however, challenges included maintaining student engagement in an online teaching environment, psychomotor skills acquisition and staff workload.

Building a chiropractic academy of educators: A needs assessment of selected faculty educators.

OBJECTIVE: Professional demands have led to health-care educator specialization in research or patient care. The academy movement is an avenue that attempts to return prestige and importance to improved instruction. The authors performed a needs analysis of selected faculty at 3 chiropractic colleges to assess the need for, and willingness to participate in, an academy of educators program. METHODS: An expert-developed, pretested survey was deployed using SurveyMonkey. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were used to address 3 research questions related to the academy of educators program. RESULTS: The study achieved a 53% response rate and reflected that an overwhelming majority of chiropractic faulty members (89%) reported the need for an academy of educators. The study found no significant differences between faculty ranks, years of experience, and participation willingness. CONCLUSION: A structured approach, such as an academy, to foster professional teaching development may create positive outcomes for an institution. Faculty educators were willing to engage in an efficient program that may improve teaching methods and create opportunities for collaborative working relationships, which signals the potential for wide acceptance of the program.

Chiropractic Management of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in a 14-Year-Old Hockey Player With Postconcussion Symptoms: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the chiropractic management of a student athlete with postconcussion syndrome. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 14-year-old male hockey player presented to a chiropractic clinic with postconcussion symptoms 13 days after his initial injury. He experienced an occipital headache with a pain rating of 8/10, upset stomach, blurry vision, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, a "foggy feeling," difficulty with concentration, difficulty with memory, fatigue, confusion, drowsiness, and irritability. Prior to seeing the doctor of chiropractic, the patient was monitored by a medical doctor, and the care he had been receiving was in accordance with current concussion guidelines. At the time of presentation to the chiropractic clinic, he had failed to progress toward return to play, and his computerized neurocognitive testing scores had not improved. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Chiropractic manipulative therapy, myofascial release, instrument-assisted soft tissue technique, and therapeutic exercises were provided over 5 treatments spanning a 20-day period. The patient followed up each treatment with ImPACT testing. At the conclusion of the treatments, the patient's computerized neurocognitive testing scores had improved, and the patient was returned to play. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the improvement of postconcussion syndrome in a 14-year-old male hockey player under chiropractic management.

Treatment of a patient with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) with chiropractic manipulation and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS): A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative syndrome which unusual symptoms include deficits of balance, bodily orientation, chronic pain syndrome and dysfunctional motor patterns. Current research provides minimal guidance on support, education and recommended evidence-based patient care. This case reports the utilization of chiropractic spinal manipulation, dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS), and other adjunctive procedures along with medical treatment of PCA. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 54-year-old male presented to a chiropractic clinic with non-specific back pain associated with visual disturbances, slight memory loss, and inappropriate cognitive motor control. After physical examination, brain MRI and PET scan, the diagnosis of PCA was recognized. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Chiropractic spinal manipulation and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization were utilized as adjunctive care to conservative pharmacological treatment of PCA. Outcome measurements showed a 60% improvement in the patient's perception of health with restored functional neuromuscular pattern, improvements in locomotion, posture, pain control, mood, tolerance to activities of daily living (ADLs) and overall satisfactory progress in quality of life. Yet, no changes on memory loss progression, visual space orientation, and speech were observed. CONCLUSION: PCA is a progressive and debilitating condition. Because of poor awareness of PCA by physicians, patients usually receive incomplete care. Additional efforts must be centered on the musculoskeletal features of PCA, aiming enhancement in quality of life and functional improvements (FI). Adjunctive rehabilitative treatment is considered essential for individuals with cognitive and motor disturbances, and manual medicine procedures may be consider a viable option.

OBJECTIF: L'atrophie corticale postérieure (ACP) est un syndrome neurodégénératif évolutif ayant des symptômes inhabituels, notamment un manque d'équilibre, un trouble d'orientation du corps, des douleurs chroniques et une organisation motrice dysfonctionnelle. Les recherches actuelles offrent peu de renseignements à propos du soutien, de l'éducation et des soins basés sur des données probantes recommandés aux patients. Cette étude de cas analyse l'utilisation de manipulations chiropratiques vertébrales, de stabilisations neuromusculaires dynamiques et d'autres procédures d'appoint connexes au traitement médical de l'ACP. CARACTÉRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: Un homme de 54 ans s'est présenté à une clinique de chiropratique avec des douleurs lombaires non précisées, des troubles de la vue, de légères pertes de mémoire et un contrôle cognitif moteur inadéquat. Après un examen clinique, une IRM du cerveau et une tomographie par émission de positons, l'ACP a été diagnostiquée. INTERVENTION ET RÉSULTATS: On a utilisé des manipulations chiropratiques vertébrales et des exercices de stabilisation neuromusculaire dynamique à titre de soins d'appoint au traitement pharmacologique conservateur de l'ACP. Selon l'évaluation des résultats, le patient voit une amélioration de sa santé de l'ordre de 60 %, soit le retour des fonctions neuromusculaires, l'amélioration de la locomotion, la posture et l'humeur, une diminution de la douleur, la capacité à réaliser les activités de la vie quotidienne, et une satisfaction d'ensemble de la progression de la qualité de vie. Toutefois, on n'a pas observé d'amélioration sur le plan de la progression de la perte de la mémoire, l'orientation visuelle dans l'espace et la parole. CONCLUSION: L'ACP est un trouble progressif et débilitant. Souvent, les patients souffrant d'ACP ne reçoivent pas tous les soins dont ils ont besoin, car les médecins connaissent mal ou ne connaissent pas l'ACP. On doit investir plus d'efforts dans les caractéristiques musculosquelettiques de l'ACP dans le but d'améliorer la qualité de vie et la fonctionnalité. Le traitement d'appoint de réadaptation est considéré comme essentiel aux patients atteints de troubles cognitif et moteur, et il convient de considérer les procédures de médecine manuelle comme étant une option viable.