It is an apolitical, non-profit organization, and
is not affiliated with the ACA, ICA, WCA, FSCO, COCSA, FCLB, or any
state association. Instead, is was founded as a grass roots
group to produce practice guidelines which serve the needs of the
consumer, and are consistent with "real world" chiropractic
practice.
One of the most serious criticisms of previous guidelines efforts
has been that they were dominated by members of the academic and
research community. Input from the field was minimal.
The CCP's goal was to develop practice guidelines with the active
participation of field doctors, consultants, seminar leaders, and
technique experts. In addition, the Council strove to utilize the
services of interdisciplinary experts in The Agency for Health Care
Policy and Research (AHCPR) guidelines development, research design,
literature, law, clinical assessment, and clinical chiropractic.
In harmony with these general principles, the CCP created a
multidisciplinary panel, supported by staff, and led by a project
coordinator and methodologist, who served as a consultant. The first
endeavor of the panel was to analyze available scientific evidence
revolving around a model which depicts the safest and most
efficacious delivery of chiropractic care to the consumer.
The guidelines were developed to protect the right of any patient
-- including children and asymptomatic patients -- to obtain
subluxation-based chiropractic.
Evidence based guidelines were also needed to protect the ability
of D.C.s to use analytical and diagnostic procedures necessary to
characterize the vertebral subluxation and its effects. Parameters
for corrective procedures were based upon objective evidence of
subluxation correction, not merely temporary symptomatic relief.
"The biases and opinions of a self selected mutual admiration
society should not prevail over the evidence, including clinical
results, of the past 100 years," said Christopher Kent, D.C., CCP
president. "We welcome written or oral evidence from any interested
chiropractor. This includes case reports and observational studies
as well as controlled studies. Our objective is to empower field
doctors with information that will enhance their effectiveness. We
are not here to tell anyone how to practice, or subjugate their
clinical judgment."
"Chiropractic's contribution to 21st century health care could be
immeasurable," continued Kent. "I see a glorious future, where
lifetime chiropractic care is available to all, and chiropractic
becomes the dominant paradigm in health care delivery. We invite you
to share the vision, and join us in this historic event."