2009 Minnesota Statutes

148.01 CHIROPRACTIC.

Subdivision 1. Definitions.

For the purposes of sections 148.01 to 148.10:

(1) "chiropractic" is defined as the science of adjusting any abnormal articulations of the human body, especially those of the spinal column, for the purpose of giving freedom of action to impinged nerves that may cause pain or deranged function; and

(2) "animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment" means treatment that includes identifying and resolving vertebral subluxation complexes, spinal manipulation, and manipulation of the extremity articulations of nonhuman vertebrates. Animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment does not include:

(i) performing surgery;

(ii) dispensing or administering of medications; or

(iii) performing traditional veterinary care and diagnosis.

Subd. 1a.Animal chiropractic practice.

A licensed chiropractor may engage in the practice of animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment if registered to do so by the board, and if the animal has been referred to the chiropractor by a veterinarian.

Subd. 1b. Scope of practice; animal chiropractic.

Criteria for registration to engage in the practice of animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment must be set by the board, and must include, but are not limited to: active chiropractic license; education and training in the field of animal chiropractic from an American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, International Veterinary Chiropractic Association, or higher institution-approved course consisting of no less than 210 hours, meeting continuing education requirements; and other conditions and rules set by the board. The board shall consult with the State Board of Veterinary Medicine in preparing proposed rules on animal chiropractic.

Subd. 1c. Titles.

Notwithstanding the limitations established in section 156.12, subdivision 4, a doctor of chiropractic properly registered to provide chiropractic care to animals in accordance with this chapter and rules of the board may use the title "animal chiropractor."

Subd. 1d. Provisional interim status.

Upon approval by the board, a licensed chiropractor who has already taken and passed the education and training requirement set forth in subdivision 1b may engage in the practice of animal chiropractic during the time that the rules are being promulgated by the board. Enforcement actions may not be taken against persons who have completed the approved program of study by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association or the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association until the rules have been adopted by the board.

Subd. 2.Exclusions.

The practice of chiropractic is not the practice of medicine, surgery, or osteopathy.

Subd. 3.Inclusions.

Chiropractic practice includes those noninvasive means of clinical, physical, and laboratory measures and analytical x-ray of the bones of the skeleton which are necessary to make a determination of the presence or absence of a chiropractic condition. The practice of chiropractic may include procedures which are used to prepare the patient for chiropractic adjustment or to complement the chiropractic adjustment. The procedures may not be used as independent therapies or separately from chiropractic adjustment. No device which utilizes heat or sound shall be used in the treatment of a chiropractic condition unless it has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. No device shall be used above the neck of the patient. Any chiropractor who utilizes procedures in violation of this subdivision shall be guilty of unprofessional conduct and subject to disciplinary procedures according to section 148.10.

History:

(5725, 5731(c)) 1919 c 64 s 2,8; 1927 c 230; 1975 c 362 s 1; 1983 c 346 s 1; 2008 c 297 art 1 s 24-28; 2009 c 86 art 1 s 19