Education and Research
WHO Guidelines documents
WHO Guidelines documents
WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic
The Chiropractic profession is now recognized as an international healthcare profession by the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). Although it has spread to approximately 90 countries, with chiropractic legislation in place in over 50 of them, it remains unlegislated in Japan. In 2005, WHO published an official document outlining guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic. Since Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is affiliated with the WHO, this document will inevitably be referenced in future legislation. Currently, there are about 800 chiropractors who have completed this standard of education in Japan.
The objectives of the WHO guidelines are; to provide minimum requirements for chiropractic education, to serve as a reference for national authorities in establishing examination and licensing systems for qualified chiropractic practice, to review contraindications to minimize the risk of accidents, to advise on the management of complications that may occur during treatment, to promote the safe practice of chiropractic care.
WHO standard Chiropractors List
Japan Chiropractic Register (JCR) is a self-regulated registration body releasing the list of qualified chiropractors who meet the WHO standard education such as the international standard college graduates and CSC program graduates in Japan. The purpose of releasing the list is notifying the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and media the accurate total numbers of qualified chiropractors in Japan. JCR provides the registration exam provided by the International Board of Chiropractic Examiners (IBCE) once a year.
WHO health profession's Guidelines
WHO published health profession’s guidelines, including traditional and complementary medicine services, education, system, practices and practitioners.
Research
Research
Chiropractic Situation in Japan
Chiropractic was first introduced to Japan by Saburo Kawaguchi, who studied at the Palmer School in the United States in 1916. A precedent set by a Supreme Court decision in 1960 allows individuals to perform spinal manipulations, including chiropractic techniques, as long as they are not harmful to the public.
In 1991, the report titled “Medical Research on Manipulative Therapy for Diseases of Spinal Origin”—commonly known as the Miura Report—was published by the Japanese Ministry of Health. (Current the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) This report was compiled by a group of orthopedic surgeons with the intent to discredit the chiropractic profession, without referencing any scientific literature or peer-reviewed articles.
Today, Japan’s laissez-faire regulatory environment has led to the proliferation of entrepreneurs and proprietary chiropractic schools. In this context, phasing out local non-standard programs and establishing new colleges that meet international standards is essential for the future development of the chiropractic profession in Japan.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) currently classifies chiropractic as a “unregulated quasi-medical practice” for several reasons. However, the Employment Security Bureau within the MHLW recognizes chiropractic practitioners (chiropractors) as an occupation, while the Health Policy Bureau acknowledges that chiropractic therapy is distinct from other regulated healthcare professions.
The key challenges cited by the MHLW include:
- The difficulty in clearly defining manipulative therapy
- The inability to conclusively prove the identity, safety, and effectiveness of chiropractic care
- Strong opposition from the medical profession (medical orthopedic doctors) and other established healthcare professional groups, such as massage and shiatsu practitioners, acupuncturists, and Judo bonesetters
🔹JAC claims meaningful purposes of legislation against Miura Report
- Adequate Chiropractic Care Contributes Significantly to Japanese Society and Patients
(Benefits and Choices for the Nation)
Chiropractic care offers significant benefits to Japanese society by providing patients with an effective, non-invasive healthcare option. It enhances patient choice, reduces the burden on the medical system, and promotes overall wellness, particularly in managing musculoskeletal disorders. - Chiropractic Has a Distinct Identity Within the Healthcare System
(Separation from Vested Interests)
Chiropractic is a unique healthcare discipline, with principles, diagnostic methods, and treatment techniques that distinguish it from conventional medicine and other manual therapies. Recognizing this identity is essential to ensure independence from vested interests and to support the development of an autonomous professional framework. - Educational Standards Are Essential to Ensure Professionalism and Public Safety
(Establishment of Identity, Safety, and Effectiveness)
To ensure the safety, effectiveness, and professional behavior of chiropractors must complete accredited degree programs at recognized chiropractic educational institutions. This academic foundation is critical for maintaining public trust, establishing a professional identity, and aligning with international standards.
🔹Classifications of 'Chiropractic' and 'Chiropractor' by the Japanese government
- Chiropractic (industry) and Chiropractor (occupation)
- Medical, Healthcare and Welfare (Japan Standard Industrial Classification)
🔹GOVERNMENT STUDIES ON CHIROPRACTIC
GOVERNMENT STUDIES AND INSTITUTE RESEARCH ON CHIROPRACTIC
| Name of Report | Year | Country | Commitee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiropractic in NZ The Report of the Commission of Inquiry | 1979 | New Zealand | B.D. Inglis (chaireman), Betty Fraser, B.R. Penfold, et al. | Effective |
| The Austaralian Ministry of Health Report | 1984 | Australia | Medicare Benefits Review Committee | Effective |
| The Report of a commission on alternative medicine in Sweden | 1987 | Sweden | A commission on alt. medicine including goverment officer, educator, MD, DC, et al. | Effective |
| The Report of Japanese Ministry of Health: Miura Report | 1991 | Japan | Yukio Miura (chairman), Hajime Ishida and 7 other MDs. | Not Effective |
| US RAND Study Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain | 1991 | US | Shekelle, P.G. (chairman: university) , 6 MDs, 3 DCs, et al. | Effective |
| Canadian governments The Manga Report | 1993 | Canada | Pran Manga (chairman: university professor)and Associates | Effective |
| The Report of a Working Party on Chiropractic | 1993 | UK | Sir Thomas Bingham and 10 member-group including journalists, MDs and DCs | Effective |
| US Department of Health and Human Services AHCPR | 1994 | US | Bigos S., et al. (23 commissioners and 2 DCs) | Effective |
| UK Report of Back Pain | 1994 | UK | Clinical Standards Advisory group: 10 members inc. 1 DC | Effective |
| UK BEAM randomised trial: effectiveness of physical treatments for back pain in primary care | 2004 | UK | UK Beam (back pain and exercise and manipulation) Trial Team | Effective |
| WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic | 2005 | WHO | WHO consultation on chiropractic | Effective |
| European guidelines for the management of chronic non-specific low back pain | 2004 | European Commission | working groups on European guidelines for acute/chronic low back pain | Effective |