Local Chiropractors Participate

 In Milestone Chiropractic Study

GREELEY, COLO. — Two local chiropractors, Dr Richard Coopersmith of Newtown and Dr Beverly Marr of Sandy Hook, recently participated in a milestone research project for the chiropractic profession.

Dr Marr and Dr Coopersmith were among approximately ten percent of the nation’s full-time licensed chiropractors who were randomly selected to represent the profession by providing information for a “Survey of Chiropractic Practice.” Working in conjunction with state licensing board members, educators, and other practitioners, the survey was developed and conducted by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).

The “Survey of Chiropractic Practice” allows those in the profession to reflect the tasks, duties, and professional responsibilities common to their everyday practice. This comprehensive study relies entirely on responses from these individual practitioners; therefore their participation is critical to the report’s success.

The results of the surveys have been summarized in the Job Analysis of Chiropractic 2005. The job analysis plays an integral role in informing and educating state boards, associations, and legislators, and insurance companies on the practice patterns of full-time chiropractors in the United States. The information contained in the job analysis provides the chiropractic profession credible bargaining power to improve coverage and reimbursement.

Information collected from the most recent “Survey of Chiropractic Practice” is consistent with previous survey results in reports of the types of conditions doctors see and the treatment procedures used. Additionally, the survey results show a slight upward trend in the number of patients of ethnic minorities seeking chiropractic care. The Job Analysis of Chiropractic 2005 discusses recent research findings, as well as studies documenting the effectiveness of chiropractic care in treating low back paint, neck pain and headaches, and chiropractic treatment of other disorders such as asthma, infantile colic, premenstrual syndrome, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Job Analysis of Chiropractic 2005 also notes a major shift in acceptance of and positive attitudes toward chiropractic among US health care consumers and researchers. Articles concerning the efficacy of spinal manipulation appear frequently in such prestigious medical journals as the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), The New England Journal of Medicine, Spine, and Annals of Internal Medicine.

Conducted every five years, the report is utilized in the development of NBCE examinations and other important projects including the efficacy of chiropractic care for the military and the Veterans Administration. The study also assists colleges in evaluating and outlining their curricula to accurately reflect the profession for its future practitioners.

Dr Coopersmith practices at 54 South Main Street in Newtown; Dr Marr at the Physical Medicine and Wellness Center at 24 Glen Road in Sandy Hook.

Headquartered in Greeley, Colo., the NBCE is the international testing organization for the chiropractic profession. Established in 1963, the NBCE develops, administers, and scores standardized written and practical examinations for candidates seeking chiropractic licensure throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.