The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) is dedicated to advancing awareness of the chiropractic family wellness lifestyle. Through education, training, and research in the care of children and pregnant women, the ICPA and its members are fulfilling this vision

The ICPA was started in the 1980s by the late Larry Webster, DC. He perceived a need in the profession for doctors of chiropractic to learn advanced skills to care for children and pregnant women. From his individual seminars, the first 120-hour certification program in chiropractic pediatrics was developed.

I first became involved in the ICPA when I received a flyer on the 120-hour certification program. Although my husband and I had been in practice for many years working with children since our first day in 1981, I chose to take the program because both the curriculum and instructors looked outstanding. The course lived up to my expectations in every way. Every month I traveled more than 2 hours to attend the modules, and every weekend offered greater insight and practical tools to care for families more effectively in our office.

The ICPA is the oldest and largest, nonprofit pediatric organization in chiropractic. Remaining true to its founder’s vision, the ICPA offers postgraduate classes for the profession. Currently, the ICPA offers classes for certification and a 360-hour diplomate program in pediatrics. These classes are held throughout North America and Europe and are cosponsored by Cleveland Colleges, Parker College, Northwestern Health Sciences University, and Life University. Attendees remark that the course offers hands-on applicable skills and knowledge with useful implementation into their practices.

The ICPA is also the only organization with a full-time research director dedicated solely to the relationship of chiropractic care and children and pregnant women. Currently, this department is involved in several large studies to determine the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care in pregnancy along with numerous projects relating to children’s health issues.

Leading researchers, such as Walter Herzog, Ester Studer, and Heinrich Biederman, have offered their expertise and commitment toward ICPA’s research. On an ongoing basis, Joel Alcantara, DC, ICPA research director, works closely with diplomate candidates in fulfilling the requirement of preparing a case study for publication. Additionally, Alcantara has established the Practiced-Based Research Network (PBRN) for ICPA members to participate. The PBRN is gathering numerous cases relevant to family chiropractic care in preparation for publication.

The third leg of the ICPA is education. The ICPA board members think it is imperative to educate parents about the importance of chiropractic care for their families. The ICPA offers a Web site, www.icpa4kids.org, that has many articles, abstracts, and references relevant to family wellness

In addition to the wealth of information on the site, the ICPA offers parents a free e-newsletter called Family Wellness First. This source of information provides parents with a monthly update of pertinent topics to help in making informed health care choices for their families. The ICPA also offers coctors an e-newsletter titled PedEx, which comes out every other week. PedEx offers ongoing educational materials targeted to chiropractors. Doctors can sign up for this e-newsletter and find a wealth of information pertinent to practitioners.

Additionally, the ICPA is the only organization providing national advertising on behalf of chiropractic. Beginning with Mothering magazine, the ICPA has launched a campaign to bring the message of chiropractic to parents via family-oriented publications.

The ICPA is an apolitical membership-based organization open to all doctors of chiropractic. Members receive discounts on seminars, the opportunity to publish research, a listing on the active online referral directory, and the new Pathways magazine, a full-color publication to bring the chiropractic message to parents.

The ICPA’s vision is to reach as many doctors of chiropractic worldwide with the importance of caring for families. Through research, training, and education, the organization is making a significant impact in the profession and the public.

You are invited to join more than 2,000 ICPA members worldwide who have come together for one purpose and in one vision: chiropractic today, for a better world tomorrow. CP

Jeanne Ohm, DC, is the ICPA executive coordinator and has run a family wellness practice in Media, Pa, with her husband, Thomas Ohm, DC, since 1981. She is an international lecturer, author, postgraduate instructor for numerous colleges, and a board member and adviser for many pediatric and family wellness associations. Ohm can be reached at: (610) 891-1190 or by e-mail at: info@icpa4kids.com.