FSCO Denounces ACC's Use of the Term "Chiropractic Medicine."

On February 24, 2011, Shane Walker, D.C., President of the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO) sent the following letter to Frank Nicchi, DC, President of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) and the other ACC Officers and Directors, as well as to the presidents
of all US chiropractic colleges.
Dear Dr. Nicci,
It has come to our attention that the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) has adopted and begun to promote the term "chiropractic medicine" within their programming.  Most notably, this term has appeared in announcement of an ACC program titled, "Integration of Chiropractic Medicine in the Workers' Compensation Industry."
As the ACC is presumably a representative affiliation of chiropractic colleges, we at the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO) object to the ACC's utilization of terminology which has been flatly rejected by the majority of the chiropractic profession.  We note that there has been a covert movement by a small but vocal minority within the profession who have actively pursued the expansion of accepted chiropractic practice to include medical modalities and procedures associated with the promotion of the term, "chiropractic medicine."  It would appear that adoption by the ACC would serve as an attempt to infiltrate the academic community within the profession with expansive terminology that will increase the scope of chiropractic into an infringement on the practices of medicine by fiat.  We do not believe that the intent, purpose or direction of the ACC should be in the pursuit of expansion of scope.
The term "medicine" is not permissible in most, if not all states and jurisdictions as part of a chiropractic practice designation.  As the principles and tenets of chiropractic are antithetical to the practice of medicine, the term chiropractic medicine is an oxymoron and, at best, inappropriate and deceiving to the public.  The FSCO encourages the leadership of the ACC to act in proper accord with the majority in the chiropractic profession and not to serve as a vehicle for the dilution or destruction of the founding principles of our unique profession.

We will be in communication with the administrations of the ACC affiliated schools and seek to clarify their position in regard to this issue in the interest of professional conformity in the educational process.

The FSCO will remain vigilant in protecting and preserving chiropractic from all infringements so that it will be available for the benefit of this and future generations.
Respectfully submitted,

Shane Walker, D.C.,

President of the FSCO