Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

British Chiropractic Association Welcomes Foundation Findings

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) is encouraged by the conclusions of the report by Christopher Smallwood for The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health.

Barry Lewis, president of the BCA comments: “This independent and impartial report further confirms existing research, and provides evidence that chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment for back pain, providing advantages over conventional treatments.

“It is clear from the report findings, that chiropractic, as one of the ‘Big Five’ complementary therapies, has an extremely important role to play within the NHS. Currently over a third of the UK population is suffering from back pain, and an average of 5% of the population each month absent from work due to back pain. Action is needed relieve the strain on the NHS and the social security system through the increased Sickness Benefit and Incapacity Benefit payments, not to mention the burden to the business sector through absence from work.

“The BCA trusts that this report is a stepping stone to increasing patient choice and more robustly tackle the impact of musculoskeletal disorders on the nation’s economy, with the ultimate aim of making chiropractic treatment accessible to all.”

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BCA Press Enquiries:
Liz Harding/ Jon Temerlies/Julie Doyle
icas public relations
Tel: 020 7632 2400
Email: lharding@icas.co.uk

Notes to Editors
BCA chiropractors see tens of 1000's of patients each day and are able to provide a safe and effective form of treatment that keeps people of all ages healthy and happy.

The BCA represents well over 50% of UK chiropractors, with over 1200 practising members. Members of the BCA abide by a strict code of ethics and the association only accepts graduates who have gone through a minimum four-year full-time internationally-accredited degree course at an internationally-recognised college of chiropractic education. There are two fully UK and Internationally accredited education institutions in the UK; the Anglo European College of Chiropractic (AECC) and Welsh Institute of Chiropractic at the University of Glamorgan (WIOC).

In common with other health professions, chiropractic is regulated by Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. The Chiropractors Act 1994 is a good example of modern legislation and it gives strong powers to the regulatory body, the General Chiropractic Council (www.gcc-uk.org) The GCC’s main responsibilities are to: protect patients; set standards of conduct, practice and education; develop and promote the practice of chiropractic. The BCA ensures its chiropractors maintain high standards of conduct, practice, education and training within the profession and throughout their careers.

Chiropractic care offers hands on pain management and focuses on muscles, joints and nerves. Chiropractic is suitable for all ages and can help with a wide range of aches and pains from head to toe. Chiropractors use their hands to ‘adjust’ or ‘manipulate’ the spine and joints where signs of restriction in movement are found and can also involve working on muscles. This restores normal function to the affected muscles, joints and nerves allowing the body to then get on with the job of healing itself.

To find out more information about the BCA please visit www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk or call 0118 950 5950