Let’s Unite

The Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) in November unveiled some initiatives that will greatly benefit the chiropractic profession. These initiatives are more evidence of why DCs should get involved with their state, national, and international chiropractic associations.

COCSA is a nonprofit organization that serves to form a coalition of state chiropractic associations, and among its goals are “to initiate, encourage, and support programs and projects for the advancement of the Chiropractic profession.”

The state of the chiropractic profession today demands a more unified voice, and chiropractic associations such as COCSA are working toward that goal. However, most of you became chiropractors because you are individualists who disagree with conventional thought. I understand why it might not be easy to join an association.

But the more people you have on your team, the better chance you have to win the game. If more DCs joined their chiropractic associations, more resources could go into increasing public awareness through billboard education, for example, or for lobbying for chiropractic causes in the state and national legislatures. For example, a couple of years ago in Colorado, the state moved from no-fault auto insurance to tort, meaning patients now must pay out of pocket for care until their cases are settled. If more DCs had joined the fight with the Colorado Chiropractic Association, they might have had a stronger voice against the change.

When the profession bands together, great results can occur in public education as well. COCSA announced at its November convention in San Francisco that COCSA officials will visit chiropractic colleges and hand out a “success kit” to chiropractic students. The specific contents of the success kit are still being determined, but COCSA President Stephen Simonetti, DC, says the kit will include the Declaration of Chiropractic Professional Responsibilities, which participants of the National Chiropractic Leadership Forum hosted by COCSA created in May 2001. The declaration lists “inherent responsibilities and expectations that accompany a professional degree,” such as maintaining alumni membership, maintaining ethical standards, and living and practicing a chiropractic wellness lifestyle.

In addition, the strength of associations can be a benefit when you least expect it. When the recent hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast states and destroyed a number of chiropractic practices, the American Chiropractic Association, several state associations, and other chiropractic groups joined together in a big way to help DCs in need.

COCSA and the various chiropractic associations are doing great work to further the cause of chiropractic. DCs should unite, get involved, and work to support the common goals as much as possible.

Daryl Lubinsky
dlubinsky@ascendmedia.com