MN chiropractors are encouraged to consider joining a new state-owned network of chiropractors. The Doctor's Lodge Network is the brainchild of Dr. Wayne Dahl, founder of SUMA MRI in Golden Valley, Minnesota.
The network aims to be a driving force for the chiropractic profession in Minnesota. According to reports, a maximum of 25% of chiropractors in Minnesota are members of only one state chiropractic group, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association. Dr. Lodge Network sees that chiropractors are going to rally and develop more influence if they successfully defend the profession.
The main problem of chiropractors in Minnesota and the entire United States is the recent attempts by the medical profession to limit the scope of chiropractic use. While chiropractic has a strong national representation in the American Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractic Association, the national level of the chiropractic is more diluted. This is vital because the amount of practice is determined by the state. The chiropractic profession could see that it was compressing one state at a time. Only 25% of the chiropractic currently represented through the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, if chiropractors will impede medical specialties by attacking our field of practice, we need much more at the state level.
Chiropractors are familiar with the attacks of the American Medical Association. In what chiropractors are called in the case of Wilke, the chiropractic profession successfully defended itself from an AMA attempt to destroy chiropractic. In 1963, the AMA established the Charlatans Committee. (The committee was originally called the Chiropractic Committee). The AMA has organized a nationwide attempt to reduce chiropractic. In the case of Wilke, the AMA was denied violating antitrust laws.
Four decades later, in 2006, the AMA adopted a resolution financing the study of chiropractors, acupuncturists and the training of naturopaths. This was done in collaboration with the AMA-supported group, Explaining Practical Partnership. The ultimate goal of the Partnership for Practice is to limit the practice of all non-drug health care practitioners.
Now this cooperation has become a strategy. At present, the scope of chiropractors' practice is being attacked at the state level, and the first state is in Texas. The Texas Medical Association has sued the Texas Commission of Chiropractic Experts and opposes the right to diagnose chiropractors. They argue that only doctors have the right to diagnose patients.
The Lodge Guide sees the Minnesota chiropractors have to be prepared for such attacks in Minnesota. Consequently, the need for a network that not only serves chiropractors, but also stimulates them to protect their professional status.
The Lodge Lodge network has begun to sponsor accessible workshops that are packed with current information to help us preserve our diagnostic skills and keep us in delivering top of the line help to our patients. The workshops are also designed to help doctors become more thoughtful in key areas of practice that influence the final result. Scheduled speakers include bankrupt chiropractors, radiologists, lawyers, and doctors.
