International Chiropractor's Association
Encyclopedia
The International Chiropractor's Association (ICA) is the oldest chiropractic association, having been founded by B.J. Palmer in 1938 in Davenport
, Iowa
. Palmer served as their President until his death in 1961.
Due to a view of the profession's scope, which the majority of chiropractors find parochial, in that they advocate for the treatment "by hands only" (non therapeutic) of the subluxation
, and have traditionally been opposed to what the mainstream profession considers to be "full scope" chiropractic, their membership has continued to decline. Today their membership is estimated at about one fifth that of the rival American Chiropractic Association
.
There are pervasive feelings of loyalty towards the Palmers, who brought chiropractic to the world, and thus many continue to support the ICA whether they fully adhere to these limitations or not.
, as members. Moreover, the ICA has accepted a position as a national chiropractic association in the World Federation of Chiropractic, with representation on the Executive council. They have individual members all over the world who pay dues, and in that sense they remain "international", in the same way as the much larger American Chiropractic Association
.
The Council on Fitness and Sport Health Science, which was previously called the ICA Sports Council, was a charter member of the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic
.
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Palmer served as their President until his death in 1961.
Due to a view of the profession's scope, which the majority of chiropractors find parochial, in that they advocate for the treatment "by hands only" (non therapeutic) of the subluxation
Subluxation
A subluxation may have different meanings, depending on the medical specialty involved. It implies the presence of an incomplete or partial dislocation of a joint or organ. The World Health Organization defines both the medical subluxation and the chiropractic subluxation...
, and have traditionally been opposed to what the mainstream profession considers to be "full scope" chiropractic, their membership has continued to decline. Today their membership is estimated at about one fifth that of the rival American Chiropractic Association
American Chiropractic Association
The American Chiropractic Association , based in Arlington, VA, representing doctors of chiropractic. Its stated mission is to preserve, protect, improve, and promote the chiropractic profession and the services of Doctors of Chiropractic for the benefit of the patients they serve.- Purpose and...
.
There are pervasive feelings of loyalty towards the Palmers, who brought chiropractic to the world, and thus many continue to support the ICA whether they fully adhere to these limitations or not.
Merger attempt
In the mid 1980s there was a major campaign for ACA members to join the ICA, in order to cast votes for a merger of the two agencies. The idea was twofold: a, to free up the name, "International" Chiropractor's Association, so that a new organization could be formed to represent the profession at the World level, and b, to have for the first time, one united voice for the profession in the United States. The attempt failed and the profession reached a consensus in London, in 1987, to create the World Federation of Chiropractic.Membership
Its name is a misnomer, as the ICA does not count any national chiropractic associations having status with the World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, as members. Moreover, the ICA has accepted a position as a national chiropractic association in the World Federation of Chiropractic, with representation on the Executive council. They have individual members all over the world who pay dues, and in that sense they remain "international", in the same way as the much larger American Chiropractic Association
American Chiropractic Association
The American Chiropractic Association , based in Arlington, VA, representing doctors of chiropractic. Its stated mission is to preserve, protect, improve, and promote the chiropractic profession and the services of Doctors of Chiropractic for the benefit of the patients they serve.- Purpose and...
.
Councils
The ICA, through its various Councils, promotes continuing education for DC's, and has at least one Council (Sport) which does, and most that do not, compete with those of the larger ACA. Their Councils include:- ICA Council on Fitness and Sport Health Science
- ICA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics
- ICA Council on Applied Chiropractic Science
- ICA Council on Chiropractic Philosophy
- ICA Council on Wellness Science
- ICA Council on Upper Cervical care
The Council on Fitness and Sport Health Science, which was previously called the ICA Sports Council, was a charter member of the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic
International Federation of Sports Chiropractic
The International Federation of Sports Chiropractic is an international organization which promotes sports chiropractic around the world. It is composed of national sports chiropractic councils, or the national associations, from many countries such as Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico,...
.