4209 ICA Files Formal Complaint Against WFC Research Council
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Dynamic Chiropractic – May 1, 2019, Vol. 37, Issue 05

ICA Files Formal Complaint Against WFC Research Council

By Editorial Staff

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has a filed a formal complaint with the World Federation of Chiropractic regarding the WFC Research Council. The ICA complaint alleges "violations of the WFC 'Principles of governance for WFC office holders' by two members of the WFC Research Council."

An accompanying letter, sent from new ICA President Dr. Stephen Welsh to WFC President Dr. Laurie Tassell, makes the following three recommendations as was determined "by unanimous agreement of the Board of Directors, the International Chiropractors Association, as a WFC member in good standing":

  • "The current Chair of the WFC Research Council be immediately removed from his current position and denied future participation in any activities on behalf of the WFC."
  • "An additional member of the WFC Research Council be publicly reprimanded and sanctioned and prohibited from the opportunity to serve in any leadership role at the WFC for at least 5 years."
  • "That the sponsoring organization that coordinated, reviewed and permitted the alleged questionable presentations be sanctioned for conduct not reflecting the professional, inclusive and collegial respect for the values embedded in the WFC Strategic Plan, Governing Documents and the WFC Official Policy Statements."

responsibility - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark "As a member association of the WFC, the ICA cannot stand by while direct insults to all chiropractors that focus on the correction of the subluxation are hurled from a global stage," said Dr. Welsh in an ICA press release. "Such a public display of intolerance undermines the credibility of the entire profession."

When solicited for comment, WFC Secretary-General Richard Brown responded with the following: "The WFC confirms that it has received a letter of complaint from the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). The Board is currently considering the matters raised in the complaint and will respond to the ICA in due course."

For further details and access to the entire complaint, look for our top story in the June digital issue, out next week.


Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email .


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