WCA board member brings chiropractic to NIH

"We have a family practice, with lots of children," Dr. Collins told the The Chiropractic Journal. "We have green and blue walls, and there are toys everywhere. If a kid just threw up on me, well, that's how the next patient will see me, even if that next patient is a Senator!"

They were also adamant that they would not change their practice purpose, which was to correct vertebral subluxation to increase the wellness of all patients. Although surrounded by more medical colleagues, including a cluster of sports-chiropractic- medicine clinics, Collins draws a large volume of nearby residents and workers who have heard about her more unusual approach.

Some of those patients, it turned out, had connections in the government, and some even worked in the White House. Knowing the influence they could have on health care legislation and policy, Collins made sure they understood chiropractic philosophy, the impact of subluxations, and the need for chiropractic adjustments and wellness care.

For many, it was a revelation. They had always thought chiropractic was just for low back pain. After receiving chiropractic adjustments (and a good deal of patient education) from Collins, they began to understand how much more chiropractic could offer.

When the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) began its search for six new members for its National Advisory Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM), those well-connected patients jumped at the chance to recommend Collins, who serves on the World Chiropractic Alliance International Board of Governors.

The Council is the principal advisory group to NCCAM, a component of the National Institutes of Health. Its purpose is to provide recommendations on the conduct and support of complementary and alternative medicine research at the NIH -- including research training and disseminating information about NCCAM's research.

Although she realizes that her location and clientele gave her a unique advantage in winning the appointment, Collins also knows that the real credit has to go to chiropractic. "It's not who comes into your office, it's what you say to the people who come into your office," she notes.

Her job on the Council will be an important one for chiropractic and for the public, and a good deal of her time will be spent raising awareness of subluxation-based chiropractic among other members of the Council, which is heavily weighted with medical doctors

Also serving on the Council are:

The only other chiropractor named to the NACCAM is William C., Meeker, D.C., M.P.H., Director of Research, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer Chiropractic University Foundation. Dr. Meeker, although recognized as a top chiropractic researcher, has long been considered an outspoken advocate of chiropractic medicine and served on the steering committee of the Mercy Guidelines.

In an article called "Progress in Chiropractic Research," Meeker once asked, "Why, then, are chiropractic researchers criticized for pragmatically pursuing grants to conduct low back pain research, when it is a wonderful opportunity to increase our research capacity, and demonstrate to the world that we have an important role to play in at least one area of public health?"

Collins says she has nothing against research into chiropractic for low-back pain, but says it's time research effort and money go into other areas of chiropractic. "There has been far too much emphasis on low-back pain," she complains. "We need to look at chiropractic's many other benefits, particularly into chiropractic for children."

During her first NACCAM meeting, Collins began the process of opening eyes -- and minds -- to the true potential of chiropractic.

"The others seemed very interested and receptive to the idea of chiropractic for wellness," she states. She has invited the Council members to visit her office and see for themselves the variety of people who receive and benefit from chiropractic adjustments.

WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., expressed optimism that Collins would be able to dispel many of the myths about chiropractic, including the notion that it is useful only for low-back pain in adults.

"When chiropractic researchers continue to emphasize back pain just because it's the one area we're already 'accepted' by the public and the medical industry, they put us in a very small box," he warned. "They justify it by saying that half the population has back pain at one time or another. But the truth is, 100% of the population can benefit from chiropractic all the time!"

Dr. Rondberg also spoke highly of Collins' ability to hold her own at the Council.

"At first, a few people wondered if she had the experience and credentials to interact effectively with some of the other more well-established members of the Council," he admitted. "After talking with her at some length, I am convinced she's a match for any of them! Her enthusiasm, devotion and confidence -- as well as her practical experience -- make her an ideal choice to represent chiropractic on this important Council."

Although the NIH hasn't yet announced its decision to paint its walls blue and green, it's clear that Collins' role on the Council -- and her interaction with political VIPs in her own practice -- will have a significant impact on the way government and health care leaders view chiropractic.