AN
ACT Relating to chiropractic care; and amending RCW 18.25.005 and 18.25.006.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
18.25.005 and 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 102 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
Chiropractic is the practice of health care that deals with the diagnosis or
analysis and care or treatment of the vertebral subluxation complex and its
effects, articular dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders, all for the
restoration and maintenance of health and recognizing the recuperative powers
of the body.
(2)
Chiropractic treatment or care includes the use of procedures involving spinal
adjustments, and extremity manipulation ((insofar as any such procedure is
complementary or preparatory to a chiropractic spinal adjustment)).
Chiropractic treatment also includes the use of heat, cold, water, exercise,
massage, trigger point therapy, dietary advice and recommendation of
nutritional supplementation ((except for medicines of herbal, animal, or
botanical origin)), the normal regimen and rehabilitation of the patient,
first aid, and counseling on hygiene, sanitation, and preventive measures.
Chiropractic care also includes such physiological therapeutic procedures as
traction and light, but does not include procedures involving the application
of sound, diathermy, or electricity.
(3)
As part of a chiropractic differential diagnosis, a chiropractor shall perform
a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays, to determine the
appropriateness of chiropractic care or the need for referral to other health
care providers. The chiropractic quality assurance commission shall provide by
rule for the type and use of diagnostic and analytical devices and procedures
consistent with this chapter.
(4)
Chiropractic care shall not include the prescription or dispensing of any
medicine or drug, the practice of obstetrics or surgery, the use of x-rays or
any other form of radiation for therapeutic purposes, colonic irrigation, or
any form of venipuncture.
(5)
Nothing in this chapter prohibits or restricts any other practitioner of a
"health profession" defined in RCW 18.120.020(4) from performing any
functions or procedures the practitioner is licensed or permitted to perform,
and the term "chiropractic" as defined in this chapter shall not
prohibit a practitioner licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW from performing
medical procedures, except such procedures shall not include the adjustment by
hand of any articulation of the spine.
Sec.
2. RCW
18.25.006 and 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 103 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless
the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter.
(1)
"Department" means the department of health.
(2)
"Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health or the
secretary's designee.
(3)
"Chiropractor" means an individual licensed under this chapter.
(4)
"Commission" means the Washington state chiropractic quality
assurance commission.
(5)
"Vertebral subluxation complex" means a functional defect or
alteration of the biomechanical and physiological dynamics in a joint that may
cause neuronal disturbances, with or without displacement detectable by x-ray.
The effects of the vertebral subluxation complex may include, but are not
limited to, any of the following: Fixation, hypomobility, hypermobility,
periarticular muscle spasm, edema, or inflammation.
(6)
"Articular dysfunction" means an alteration of the biomechanical and
physiological dynamics of a joint of the axial or appendicular skeleton.
(7)
"Musculoskeletal disorders" means abnormalities of the muscles,
bones, and connective tissue.
(8)
"Chiropractic differential diagnosis" means a diagnosis to determine
the existence of a vertebral subluxation complex, articular dysfunction, or
musculoskeletal disorder, and the appropriateness of chiropractic care or the
need for referral to other health care providers.
(9)
"Chiropractic adjustment" means chiropractic care of a vertebral
subluxation complex, articular dysfunction, or musculoskeletal disorder. Such
care includes manual or mechanical adjustment of any vertebral articulation and
contiguous articulations beyond the normal passive physiological range of
motion.
(10)
"Extremity manipulation" means a corrective thrust or maneuver
applied to a joint of the appendicular skeleton. ((The use of extremity
manipulation shall be complementary and preparatory to a chiropractic spinal
adjustment to support correction of a vertebral subluxation complex and is
considered a part of a spinal adjustment and shall not be billed separately
from or in addition to a spinal adjustment.))
