Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor

From the Editor: April 2014

Mari-Len De   

Features Education Profession

There are close to 90,000 practicing chiropractors around the world.

There are close to 90,000 practicing chiropractors around the world. Nearly 90 per cent of these doctors are in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Canada and Australia are a very far second to the U.S., which has close to 80 per cent of the world’s DCs. The U.S. also has the most number of chiropractic colleges with 16 schools out of the 40 across the globe.

These figures are glaringly disproportionate considering chiropractic is now an established profession in more than 70 countries. The situation is continuing to evolve, however, and many have taken up the cause of ensuring that chiropractic becomes accessible to as many of the world’s population as possible, regardless of race, religion or socio-economic status.

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In this issue, we take a special interest on chiropractic in the global scene. Technology has broken down many barriers and connected more and more people across the globe in unprecedented ways. The idea of establishing a business in a foreign country looks more realistic today than it probably did more than a decade ago. A few chiropractors – like those featured in our cover story in the April 2014 issue – have taken on this challenge, some even setting up shop in countries where there was little to no knowledge of chiropractic.

Setting up practice in a foreign country is, in many ways, heroic considering the many people whose lives and health will be potentially improved with chiropractic care. It takes more than courage, however, to make an international practice a success. One needs to do a great deal of homework, preparing oneself physically, mentally, emotionally and financially.

Also in the April issue, Canadian-born Dr. Michel Tetrault, who now lives and practises in the Philippines, discusses the many things to consider before deciding to pack up one’s bags and head out to a different country.

While it is true chiropractic has yet to reach its full market potential in North America, one cannot ignore the fact there is an even larger market out there waiting to be touched by the benefits of chiropractic. Many of these populations are in poorer economies but would nevertheless be grateful to receive even an ounce of the kind of health care their first-world cousins enjoy.

Considering a practice abroad opens up your practice to a far wider market and, at the same time, allows you a rare opportunity to change not just one life at a time, but an entire community at a time.

This is not a proposition for everyone, but for those who have taken or are considering taking that giant leap – kudos to you!

CORRECTION

In the article, Moving to Mainstream (February 2014), the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) provided some comments. It has since come to our attention that the OCA quotes should have been attributed to its chief executive officer Dr. Bob Haig.


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