The 20 Principles of the World Federation of Chiropractic

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A Compass for World Chiropractic

The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) represents the voice of the Chiropractic profession worldwide, with affiliated national associations in more than 90 countries. As a nongovernmental organization in official relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO), the WFC plays a key role in promoting high standards of research, education and clinical practice.

In 2019, the Federation published a document of 20 Guiding Principles that define the identity, values, and vision of Chiropractic as a global health profession. These principles are an essential reference for all national associations, including the Italian Chiropractic Association (AIC), and outline the path toward an increasingly integrated and evidence-based future.

The 20 Principles

  • Universal access vision - We imagine a world in which all people, of all ages, in all countries, can access the benefits of Chiropractic care.
  • Mission of integration - We are guided by our mission to promote awareness, use and integration of Chiropractic internationally.
  • Science and research – We advocate that clinical and policy decisions should be based on scientific evidence and up-to-date research so as to promote wider access to chiropractic treatments
  • Health Promotion - We argue that Chiropractic goes beyond patient care, extending to promoting better health and well-being in our communities.
  • Right to professional practice - We defend the right of chiropractors to practice according to their training and expertise.
    1. Evidence-based clinical activity - We promote an evidence-based clinical approach: it integrates the practitioner's experience with the best available research, always taking into account the patient's values and preferences.
  • Support for national associations  – We are committed to supporting national associations by promoting advocacy for the profession and patients, exchanging cutting-edge clinical models for the benefit of collective well-being.
  • Role of Chiropractic Care - We recognize the role of Chiropractic care, including spinal adjustment, in optimizing neuro-musculoskeletal function, improving mobility, relieving pain, and promoting individual well-being.
  • Support for research – We promote research dedicated to methods, mechanisms and outcomes of chiropractic treatment, striving to transfer new scientific findings into daily clinical practice for the benefit of patients
  • Interprofessional approach - We believe that chiropractors are vital members of every patient's health care team and that only through an interdisciplinary approach can an optimal patient outcome be achieved.
  • Promotion of public health - We believe that chiropractors must be responsible public health advocates to improve the well-being of the communities they serve.
  • Diversity and inclusion - We celebrate individual and professional diversity, inclusion, and equality by representing these values throughout our board and various committees.
  • Patients' rights - We support the fundamental right of patients to receive ethical and professional care, guaranteed by regulations that ensure compliance with ethics and high standards of conduct in the practice of the profession.
  • Global collaboration - We serve the profession globally by fostering collaboration among organizations and individuals who support WFC's vision, mission, values and goals.
  • Educational excellence - We uphold high academic standards to ensure chiropractic education that prepares future practitioners to meet the health needs of the community with competence, reliability, and scientific rigor.
  • Mentoring and professional growth - We believe in valuing and accompanying students and new chiropractors, offering them the support and guidance they need to express their full clinical and professional potential.
  • Conferences and continuing education - We organize high-profile events and conferences to stimulate discussion and updating. We aim for an evolution of the profession based on the exchange of ideas, clinical innovation and continuous professional growth.
  • Research and Innovation - We believe in constantly updating our knowledge: we study the mechanisms of action of Chiropractic to validate its benefits at the physical and psychological levels, ensuring an increasingly comprehensive therapeutic approach.
  • Communication Ethics - We maintain that any public statements about the efficacy of chiropractic treatment should be marked by maximum transparency, in full compliance with current regulations and available scientific evidence.
  • An EPIC Future for Chiropractic. - We are committed to a growth model based on the four EPIC pillars: Escientific vidence, centrality of Persons, approach Interprofessional and Collaboration constantly.

 

What do these principles mean for Italy

The Italian Chiropractic Association (AIC) fully endorses these principles and uses them as a constant guide in its work. In a context such as Italy, where Chiropractic is recognized as a health discipline but still awaits a comprehensive regulatory framework for practitioners, the WFC's 20 Principles offer a valuable reference.

In particular, we believe that evidence-based clinical practice, interprofessional collaboration and high educational standards represent the foundation on which to build recognition of the profession in our country.

The twentieth principle, with the acronym EPIC, perfectly summarizes the direction in which worldwide Chiropractic is moving: an evidence-based approach focused on personal well-being and care and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

This is the vision that the’AIC transforms every day into reality: an ongoing commitment to affirm the value of Chiropractic in Italy and ensure patients' right to excellent care.

Read more

The full document of the 20 Principles of the WFC is available on the official website of the World Federation of Chiropractic (www.wfc.org) in English, French and Spanish. The AIC will continue to promote these values and work for a future in which Chiropractic is fully integrated into the Italian health care system for the benefit of all citizens.

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Italian Chiropractic Association - www.chiropratica.it