July - August 2012 (PDF Version) - New York Chiropractic College

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Chiropractic – Making Its Way in the Military The history of chiropractic involvement in our nation’s armed forces is nothing short of a study in perseverance. The first bill to commission chiropractors was put before Congress in 1944 – a proposal yet to bear fruit. Nevertheless, access to chiropractic care for our servicemen and women has been expanding steadily over the past decade. Tireless work carried out by chiropractic advocates within our nation’s capital has enabled 60 of our 232 military treatment facilities to enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care. Since 2005, when his involvement with chiropractic care at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center began, Adjunct Professor and Director of Chiropractic Clinical Residency Program Paul Dougherty, DC, has personally observed the great relief many veterans find through chiropractic. Musculoskeletal conditions were a common complaint among veterans who participated in the wars in the Middle East. Chiropractic was well-received, particularly by patients whose conditions didn’t respond well to conventional medical care. “We can deliver evidence based assessment and treatment recommendations and also can serve the role of triaging the patients when necessary,” explained Dougherty. Relief Confounded The challenge in treating the veterans was compounded by war’s psychological effects – a central thesis in Dougherty’s research. “There are compelling data to suggest that conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) may affect prognosis of patients with chronic pain. We do consider these issues when we assess a patient and we work closely with behavioral health.” Accordingly, Dougherty is submitting two grants that combine chiropractic care and cogni- 12 www.nycc.edu
tive therapy in patients at ‘high risk’ for poor prognosis. Doors Swinging Open Dougherty is just one of several chiropractors throughout the U.S. who are helping to train a new generation of chiropractic interns in a demanding multidisciplinary setting. There are currently 17 VA facilities affiliated with 11 chiropractic colleges. NYCC associates with the Bath, Buffalo, Canandaigua, and Rochester VAs, as well as with Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Miami, Fla., VA Medical Center. Cross-disciplinary relationships were facilitated when NYCC students began their rotations through the physical medicine department thus allowing each discipline to become more familiar with one other. The medical staff was optimistic from the start. “I was blessed with an open-minded medical staff. The key factors were being in the right place at the right time and having scientific evidence to substantiate the role of a chiropractor in the VA healthcare system,” explained Dougherty. Dr. Dougherty feels chiropractic has shown itself to be an important member of the healthcare team. Currently chair of the Canandaigua VAMC Pain Oversight Committee, Dougherty evaluates patients and presents their cases to a multidisciplinary team - acupuncture, psychology, primary care, pain medicine, pharmacy - for discussion regarding what is best for the patient. It may or may not include chiropractic. At times, the best intervention is sending the patient back to work or giving him a worthy activity to do. Prospects Chiropractic’s growth in the VA system has not slowed, and prospects look bright. Asked about the likelihood of further integration and chiropractic residency programs, Dougherty responded, “I think that both of these are important steps. We will be starting with our first resident in the VA in the next couple of weeks.” While growth within the VA system may be encouraging, progress elsewhere is sometimes less so. Under Tricare (the Department of Defense’s health care program), active-duty service members must still obtain referrals from their primary care physician for chiropractic care, and family members and retirees are denied chiropractic coverage. The House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services reports that “the Department of Defense has provided high-quality chiropractic health care services to Active Duty military personnel at military treatment facilities throughout the world.” The committee will look to identify any disparities in pay and job classifications that may negatively impact chiropractors. Through continued involvement at all levels, chiropractic is becoming increasingly available to the brave men and women who serve our country. Through continued involvement at all levels, chiropractic is becoming increasingly available to the brave men and women who serve our country. 13
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