Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the West Hartford Group?

The WHG is a think-tank comprised of chiropractic professionals who have dedicated themselves to the important task of attaining social, cultural and professional authority for the chiropractic profession as society’s pre-eminent primary spine care physician*.

2. Why was the West Hartford Group conceived?

It was realized that the chiropractic profession is at a critical point in its history, and the time for immediate action is at hand. In order for the chiropractic profession to remain viable in the healthcare delivery system we must establish the role of the profession as primary spine care physicians* utilizing an evidence-influenced, patient-centered and outcomes oriented practice model. We recognize that the most important and powerful forces that threaten the future of the profession are within the profession itself and part of what is required for chiropractic medicine to thrive is reform of the profession. We feel that the best way to bring about reform is to put our clinical foot forward and emphasize the clinical, evidence-based value chiropractic physicians can provide society.

3. How does the West Hartford Group plan to accomplish its goals?

The WHG plans to accomplish its goals by supporting the models set forth by the World Federation of Chiropractic and the Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference and helping to facilitate, catalyze and advise on efforts to bring about reform of the profession in a variety of areas, including education, regulatory processes, business practices, public image and professional identity. This will be done in a positive, pro-active manner by interacting with others within and outside the profession who are also interested in helping chiropractic medicine realize its potential with regard to respect, utilization and cultural authority. Part of this will also involve providing input to society regarding high quality chiropractic care for non-surgical spine conditions. Furthermore, the WHG will be actively involved in advocacy efforts to promote the chiropractic physician* as THE provider of choice for these conditions.

4. There have been other groups that have been formed in the past that seem to have been more destructive than constructive. Is the West Hartford Group another of these organizations?

We aim to be a pro-active and positive force in chiropractic to bring it up to speed within the health care system at large, and not to be a destructive force to tear chiropractic down. At the same time, we will not hesitate to speak out about those people and institutions who are engaged in activities that erode the cultural authority of the profession. We feel that that many of the finest members of the profession have been silent too long and reform requires positive action combined with the exposure of problems within the profession, so these problems can be corrected. However, our primary emphasis will be on promoting the positive benefits that chiropractic physicians can bring to society in order to improve and enhance our professional standing in the eyes of the public, other professionals and decision makers.

5. Is the West Hartford Group a professional trade association?

The WHG is NOT a professional trade association. We recognize that the national professional trade associations in North America are the American Chiropractic Association and the Canadian Chiropractic Association supported by the World Federation of Chiropractic. Part of our mission is to support and assist these organizations in performing their functions to the best of their ability. Among our efforts in this regard will be to help mobilize other DCs to be active members of these organizations.

6. How does the West Hartford Group see the chiropractic profession fitting into mainstream health care?

The WHG sees the chiropractor as the dentist or podiatrist of the spine. That is, the model of chiropractic practice by which chiropractic medicine has the best opportunity to make a valuable contribution to society, and thus to thrive as a profession, is that of primary spine care physician*. We feel that society is in great need of a physician-level specialist in the diagnosis and management of patients with non-surgical spine-related disorders. This is the best niche for the chiropractic profession.

7. In promoting the non-surgical spine care physician* model for the chiropractic profession, does the West Hartford Group feel that chiropractic physicians should not treat extremity problems?

The WHG fully recognizes and supports the fact that many chiropractors regularly manage patients with conditions that are non-spinal – and do so with great expertise and skill. The model that we are promoting is not a spine-only model, i.e., one in which chiropractors only treat spinal disorders to the exclusion of all others. The model we are promoting is that of presenting the chiropractic physician as THE spine expert – the first choice for patients with non-surgical spine problems. We feel that the increased respect and cultural authority that comes with this will enable those chiropractors who are interested in extremity problems to see more of these patients, not fewer, because of the credibility the profession will gain in general.

8. How can I join the West Hartford Group?

Membership in the WHG is by invitation only. If you know a WHG member, please discuss your interest in joining with that doctor.