The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Board) has won the 10-year long battle against the Texas Medical Association (Association).
Background
At its core, chiropractic care revolves around the nervous system and spine. Chiropractors make adjustments to the spine to improve the function of the nervous system, and consequently, the entire body.
In 2011, the Texas Medical Association filed a lawsuit arguing that neurological tests and diagnoses are out of the practice scope of chiropractors. The Association argued that chiropractors are limited to the muscular and skeletal parts of the body.
Verdict
On January 29, 2021, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners et al v. Texas Medical Association case that nerves-related testing for the musculoskeletal system falls within the lawful scope chiropractor’s practice in Texas. The court’s decision for the inclusion of nerves in chiropractic diagnosis and treatment provides a victory for chiropractors in Texas and their ability to provide quality chiropractic patient care. The court’s decision validates the Board’s rules for the scope of the practice of chiropractic and protects the core foundation of chiropractic care.
Commenting on the victory, Mark R. Bronson, DC, FIANM, and board president for the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, said: “The decision properly affirmed the validity of the board’s scope of practice rule, which the court clearly said does not exceed our statutory scope of chiropractic practice … This decision, which recognizes the common sense and long-standing inclusion of associated nerves in chiropractic diagnosis and treatment, preserves and strengthens the essence of chiropractic. Thanks to the court’s decision, our licensees can now fulfill their duties as vital portal-of-entry health care providers in Texas without fear.”
About the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners
The Board examines and licenses chiropractors and registers chiropractic radiological technicians. It is responsible for enforcing the law that governs chiropractic practices. To ensure Texans are served by quality professionals effectively, the Board has set community standards of care, chiropractic law in Texas, and professional conduct.
About the Texas Medical Association
The Association is the largest state medical society in the US. It is a nonprofit organization that represents physicians, patients, Texans, medical students and alliance members. It provides legislative and regulatory advocacy and conducts health policy research related to Texas physicians and their patients.
To view the statement by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners after it won the case against the Texas Medical Association, click here.
This is a great victory in the history of chiropractic law in Texas.
To learn more about other top challenges faced by chiropractors in the US, check out this blog.
