Chiropractic and the US Military – A Timeline
Chiropractic was founded in 1895.
Chiropractors have served in our military since at least 1917 though not as commissioned officers nor as chiropractors, yet as chiropractors they have rendered service and treatment to many of their fellow soldiers.
As early as 1916 chiropractors have introduced legislation to commission chiropractors.
In recent history…
October 23, 1992 – President Bush signed authorization to commission DCs. (Defense Authorization Bill (HR 5006), section 701 only authorizes the appointment; it doesn’t mandate the military to act)
October 31, 2000 – President Clinton signed into law Permanent Chiropractic Benefit for Military (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001)
November 24, 2003 – Pentagon ordered to speed up implementation of the chiropractic care benefit authorized for America’s active-duty personnel. (National Defense Authorization Act 2003 unverified source)
2004 Chiropractic offered at 42 Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs).
2005 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report – the Department of Defense is not complying with current law and has failed to fully implement its own plan to provide chiropractic health care services to active duty military personnel. Furthermore, chiropractic services continue to be unavailable at military bases overseas – including those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2006 - Air Force required to offer chiropractic at 11 new MTFs. (DoD authorization bill 2006)
2008 – Pentagon required to offer chiropractic at 11 new MTFs, bringing the total to 60 out of 238 (Defense Authorization Act 2009)
Hi. my name is Alejandro, i have been a chiropractor since 1974. I am a veteran,having served on 1960 through 1966.3 years active and 3 years with the California National Guard.I got my Chiropractic degree from the Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles California and my State’s license in 1974.I receive medical care from VA in san diego and feel I could work in this field if I could have a chance to do it.I practiced for 26 years and I feel I am very good at what I do.I am a U.S. citizen. I served with the U.S.Army. I have a son with DoD that has seen action in Kosovo, Herzegovina, The Balcans,middle East, etc. He is always asking me to provide him with Chiropractic wherever he goes. I wish I knew who to call or who to get in touch, I am ready to provide chiropractic treatment even if it is abroad.TRY ME. I am ready to sign a contract and ready to travel overseas, be it Germany , Italy, Spain, I would go to any place I can take my family (wife,son,daughter).Sincerely Yours, Alejandro Tapia, D.C.
Alejandro Tapia
June 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm
My husband is in the Coast Guard, and I meet many men and women who need chiropractic being in the surf on the west coast, the 25″ on the east coast their backs get jumbled and I want to help! I am finishing up my DC and am trying to figure out a way to sign a contract and dedicate my practice to the military!
Melissa
May 13, 2010 at 7:12 am
Great I hope you figure out a way to reach your goal.
cmnacnud
May 17, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Melissa, Good luck with your vision. If there is anything I can doto help please ask. Our web address is http://www.vervewellness.com. Good luck. Dr. Warkentin
Dr. Warkentin
October 4, 2010 at 1:30 am
It is 2010. Time for the military and congress to act. In particular with any military personel suffering from pain and headaches, sciatica that can not take pain meds and require attention to their pain. Chiropractirs are primary care in the United States. Our service personel deserve this care. I have an incredibly successful practice and would join the military to serve if they respected our profession enough to grant us the same rank as any other doctor. Let’s move forward and get these young men and women back to work as efficiently as possibel. Sincerely, Dr. Warkentin
dr. david warkentin
May 23, 2010 at 9:41 pm
As a spouse to an Active Duty member of the United States Military, I know that chiropractic care is not covered by their medical. If this could change AT LEAST THIS. Chiropractors could offer military exclusive offices, located near bases or possibly on them. But as long as Tricare does not allow Military to see chiropractors not many members are going to be willing to pay the cost out of pocket. I dont blame them, yet it is such a shame so many could be without pain meds and restless nights sleep before they get up for their 24-72+++ hour shifts. . . I mean really.
Melissa
July 20, 2010 at 9:31 pm
It is time to add chiropractic care as part of the insurance coverage for all of our service personel. Instead of clouding their judgement with pain meds and then have addiction problems, figure out what is causing their pain. I am not against allopathic medicine, but, it is not always the right decision when so much according to the ACA could be corrected pain free. That is why nearly all pro athletes and celebrities have Chiropractic as part of their life. An ounce of prevention.
Dr. Warkentin
October 4, 2010 at 1:28 am
Current student at University of Western States, as well as current Marine reservist for 9+ years now. I am considering a switch in professions just so I can help those in the military…we need it pretty bad. I love chiropractic, but unless things change I will probably go through more schooling for another degree just so I can be “qualified” to commission and work with military personnel. I really feel that chiropractic should be available to all military and their families, as well as chiropractors should be offered a commission in the military.
Anyone know of any commissioned chiropractors?
Dain Cason
January 5, 2011 at 8:25 pm