We’re here for consumers – both current and prospective chiropractic patients.

Welcome to the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) website. The ICA was founded in 1926 by Dr. B.J. Palmer as an organization to grow chiropractic worldwide so that every person whether from Albany, Aarhus, Beijing, Jeddah, Santiago, Columbus or Davenport may have the opportunity to access chiropractic care.

Doctors of Chiropractic (also referred to as Chiropractors) provide quality, whole person healthcare

ICA Doctors of Chiropractic provide patient-centered, evidence-informed whole person health care. Chiropractic as a system of health care focuses on health promotion through the chiropractic adjustment. Doctors of Chiropractic are trained in the use of x-ray imaging as an important tool for the evaluation and management of patient care.

Chiropractic Care May Reduce Overall Health Care Costs: Among the research studies that show the cost benefits of using chiropractic care is a 4-year retrospective review of claims from 1.7 million health plan members. The data analyzed to determine the cost effects of the inclusion of a chiropractic benefit in an HMO insurance plan. The data revealed that members with a chiropractic benefit had lower overall total annual health care costs. Back pain patients with chiropractic coverage also realized lower utilization of plain radiographs, low back surgery, hospitalizations and MRI’s. Back pain episode-related costs were also 25 percent lower for those with chiropractic coverage ($289 vs. $399).1,2 

1 Comparative Analysis Of Individuals With And Without Chiropractic Coverage. Legorreta A, Metz D, Nelson C, Ray S, Chernicoff H, DiNubile N. Archives of Internal Medicine 2004; 164: 1985-1992. 
2  Joint Policy Statement Regarding the Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care Presed by a United Chiropractic Profession in 2012. 

Chiropractors Provide More Than Just Care for Back Pain

Yes, chiropractors are a top provider for addressing back and neck pain. Chiropractic care for back and neck pain is safe, effective, and studies show is an important option for avoiding opioids.

The anatomical focus on the human spine has created to the perception that chiropractors are only back doctors. Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is also only incomplete. Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counseling. The doctor of chiropractic education is inclusive of all of these factors, which is essential to the whole person approach of chiropractic.

DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC RECEIVE EXTENSIVE, DEMANDING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ON PAR WITH MEDICAL DOCTORS (MDS) AND OSTEOPATHS (DOS) 

To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and several years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider. 

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all US States and the District of Columbia, Canada, and recognized and regulated in over 40 countries. The ICA is a member of the World Federation of Chiropractic and since our founding in 1926 worked to advance the availability of appropriate licensing standards to insure only those who complete chiropractic’s rigorous educational requirements and licensing exams may call themselves chiropractors; to keep chiropractic a drug-free and surgery-free profession, and to provide consumers a measure of confidence that their chiropractor is operating within the strict requirements of a Board of Chiropractic Examiners and if they are an ICA member, also within the ICA’s ethical standards.

If you are looking for a chiropractor, please check out our Find a Doctor feature (currently being updated and will be re-launched soon).