WFC Policies
WFC Policies and Protocols
WFC Policies and Protocols
Mission, Values, Purposes & Policies
Mission
1. The recognition and acceptance of chiropractic in every country on a universal minimum standard for education and scope of practice.
2. Appropriate chiropractic legislation in every country.
3. Establish WFC Congress as one of the world’s leading original research meetings
4. Obtain full cultural authority, including as powerful a voice as any other profession in health policy
5. Unify the profession in each country, with 90% of chiropractors being members of their national associations.
6. Achieve a $50 million endowment fund by 2030
7. Establish the WFC as the foremost source for government and all on information on the chiropractic profession.
Core Values
1. The profound significance and value of the chiropractic in health care.
2. The importance of high standards of professionalism, particularly in the areas of research, education and practice.
3. Inclusiveness and collaborative relationships within and outside of the chiropractic profession.
4. The power of unity within the profession and of speaking with one voice.
Core purposes
1. To protect and promote chiropractic and the chiropractic profession, including its identity at the international level.
2. To offer impartial forums for debate and exchange of information.
3. To promote unity via consensus within the profession.
4. To serve and represent its members, in part as an informed resource center for the profession.
5. To influence and improve health care worldwide
WFC 20 Principles
1. We envision a world where people of all ages, in all countries, can access the benefits of chiropractic.
2. We are driven by our mission to advance awareness, utilization and integration of chiropractic internationally.
3. We believe that science and research should inform care and policy decisions and support calls for wider access to chiropractic.
4. We maintain that chiropractic extends beyond the care of patients to the promotion of better health and the wellbeing of our communities.
5. We champion the rights of chiropractors to practice according to their training and expertise.
6. We promote evidence-based practice: integrating individual clinical expertise, the best available evidence from clinical research, and the values and preferences of patients.
7. We are committed to supporting our member national associations through advocacy and sharing best practices for the benefit of patients and society.
8. We acknowledge the role of chiropractic care, including the chiropractic adjustment, to enhance function, improve mobility, relieve pain and optimize wellbeing.
9. We support research that investigates the methods, mechanisms, and outcomes of chiropractic care for the benefit of patients, and the translation of research outcomes into clinical practice.
10. We believe that chiropractors are important members of a patient’s healthcare team and that interprofessional approaches best facilitate optimum outcomes.
11. We believe that chiropractors should be responsible public health advocates to improve the wellbeing of the communities they serve.
12. We celebrate individual and professional diversity and equality of opportunity and represent these values throughout our Board and committees.
13. We believe that patients have a fundamental right to ethical, professional care and the protection of enforceable regulation in upholding good conduct and practice.
14. We serve the global profession by promoting collaboration between and amongst organizations and individuals who support the vision, mission, values and objectives of the WFC.
15. We support high standards of chiropractic education that empower graduates to serve their patients and communities as high value, trusted health professionals.
16. We believe in nurturing, supporting, mentoring and empowering students and early career chiropractors.
17. We are committed to the delivery of congresses and events that inspire, challenge, educate, inform and grow the profession through respectful discourse and positive professional development.
18. We believe in continuously improving our understanding of the biomechanical, neurophysiological, psychosocial and general health effects of chiropractic care.
19. We advocate for public statements and claims of effectiveness for chiropractic care that are honest, legal, decent and truthful.
20. We commit to an EPIC future for chiropractic: evidence-based, people-centered, interprofessional and collaborative.
The Chiropractic Profession
- Identity of the Profession (2005)
- Use of the Title Chiropractor (2001, amended 2003)
- General Dictionary Definition of Chiropractic (1999)
- Use of Prescription Drugs (1999)
- Use of Diagnostic Imaging in Chiropractic Practice (1991)
International Protocols - Chiropractic
- Non-interference and Respect for National Authority (1999)
- International Charter for the Introduction of Chiropractic Education (1997, amended 2001)
This policy relates primarily to activities by chiropractic colleges and their faculty members, but is also relevant to individual chiropractors providing education in another country. - Communication Protocols on Education and Research (1995)
This policy relates to all educational and research initiatives planned by chiropractic colleges, organizations or individuals from one country for performance in another country. - Notificiation of International Projects (1991)
- Courses by Chiropractors for Non-chiropractors in Joint Adjustment and in Clinical Skills except Joint Adjustment
This policy relates to all clinical education provided by duly qualified chiropractors. - Seminars for Non-chiropractors in Another Country (1991)
This policy relates specifically to seminars provided by chiropractic colleges, organizations or individuals from one into another country.
Public Health and Miscellaneous Issues
- Position statement – Claims of effectiveness, cure or prevention made by chiropractors (2021)
- Position statement – Support of globally and scientifically accepted healthcare practices by chiropractors (2021)
- WFC Policy Statement – Support for WHO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (2007)
- Resolution on Observer Status for Taiwan at the WHO and Related Matters
- Policy on Tobacco (2003)
- Support for WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative (2003)
- Use of Body Restraint Devices in Motor Vehicles (1991)