State Policy on Chiropractic Practice
- State policy to enhance healthcare quality by developing traditional and alternative healthcare
- Aim to integrate chiropractic into the national healthcare delivery system
Objectives of the Guidelines
- Develop chiropractic practice standards consistent with mainstream medical laws
- Regulate chiropractic practice under PITAHC guidance
- Certify chiropractors and accredit chiropractic educational and clinical institutions
- Set minimum chiropractic education standards in coordination with CHED
- Develop a Chiropractic Code of Ethics
Definitions of Key Terms
- Chiropractic: Healthcare profession focusing on neuro-musculoskeletal disorders with manual techniques
- Chiropractor: Licensed professional practicing chiropractic emphasizing joint adjustment/manipulation
- Adjustment: Controlled manual joint therapeutic procedure
- Biomechanics: Study of human movement and mechanical forces
- Fixation: Immobility of a joint restricting physiological movement
- Joint manipulation: Manual thrust moving joint beyond normal range without injury
- Joint mobilization: Manual movement within normal range without thrust
- Neuro-musculoskeletal: Disorders affecting nervous and musculoskeletal systems
- Palpation: Manual examination by touch
- Spinal manipulative procedures: Techniques influencing spine and related tissues
- Subluxation: Functional joint lesion affecting biomechanics and neural integrity
- Subluxation complex: Interaction of pathological changes in joint and surrounding tissues
- Thrust: Sudden manual force effecting joint adjustment
- Assessment: Systematic information gathering per chiropractic principles
- National Certification: Process certifying chiropractors' competency
- National Accreditation: Certification of training programs and clinics
- Code of Ethics: Standards guiding ethical professional behavior
National Certification Committee for Chiropractic
- Composed of PITAHC Director General (Chairman), 3 licensed Chiropractors, 1 Medical Doctor, 1 Educator
- Members appointed by PITAHC Director General with staggered renewable terms
- Decisions require majority vote; Director General breaks tie
- Advocacy and Training Division Chief and Standard and Accreditation Division Chief are permanent members
- Standard and Accreditation Division serves as Secretariat
Committee Duties and Functions
- Develop competency assessments and code of ethics
- Formulate policies on chiropractic education and practice
- Advise PITAHC on certification and licensure
- Approve continuing education courses
- Accredit chiropractic programs and facilities
- Administer certification examinations
- Certify and revoke certifications as necessary
- Uphold public trust by enforcing ethical standards
- Approve chiropractic research proposals and recommend funding
- May create sub-committees and Technical Working Groups for education and standards
Educational and Technical Qualifications for Certification
- Must be Filipino, 21 years or older, graduate from PITAHC-accredited chiropractic course
- Pass national certification examination
- Chiropractic courses include bachelor's or doctorate degrees in accredited institutions
- Foreign chiropractic degrees undergo equivalency review
- Curriculum covers basic sciences, preclinical and clinical sciences, chiropractic sciences, consumer management, recordkeeping, and research
- Institutions offering chiropractic courses require CHED authorization and compliance with governance, curriculum, and ethical standards
- Foreign expert lecturers may be hired with proper approvals
- Compliance with WHO safety guidelines mandatory
Fees and Validity
- Application fee imposed on certification applicants; adjustable by Committee review
- Accreditation and certification fees imposed on training entities; subject to PITAHC review
- Certificates of Accreditation valid for 3 years, subject to renewal, suspension or cancellation
- Renewal required before expiration with penalties for delay
Transitory Provisions
- Existing Filipino chiropractors exempt from certification exam if registered within 30 days
- Foreign chiropractors must submit proof of qualifications and licensure within 90 days
- All practicing chiropractors require six-month supervision by licensed Filipino chiropractor
- PITAHC will appoint Certification Committee within 15 days; Ad Hoc Committee functions until appointment
Effectivity and Repeal
- Guidelines effective 15 days after publication
- Prior inconsistent issuances suspended or amended
(Signed by PITAHC Director-General)