Consequently, the exchange of knowledge and dialogue strengthens our profession's growth and provides personal satisfaction.
New discoveries in the health profession temporarily quench the ever-present human thirst for knowledge and understanding. This is part of our "divine homesickness" as Dr. Morter calls it.
Therefore, knowledge-sharing and the exchange of communication between health professionals become important and productive functions of our professions.
On the other hand, it can result in counterproductivity at the expense of our still unrecognized profession in Italy. This is due to excessive "one-way" information regarding manual and diagnostic techniques, that is practically given away.
Chiropractors must concentrate their efforts to inform others about their profession in order to obtain a distinct professional identity. However, the identity of chiropractic is compromised because of imposters who practice what they call "chirotherapeutics," which has nothing to do with chiropractic.
It is a fact that all who practice "chirotherapeutics" are manipulators, physical therapists, dentists, and MDs.
Unfortunately, many doctors of chiropractic in Italy know that there are many people who believe to be receiving chiropractic treatment from a DC. In reality, they are receiving treatment from health professionals other than chiropractors.
In many cases, there are many people in Italy who have received certificates of applied kinesiology (AK) and chirotherapeutic diplomas simply by attending a brief seminar, frequently taught by nonchiropractors.
As a result, chiropractic is not in control of chiropractors in Italy. Do individuals whose efforts have made chiropractic what it is today merit such treatment?
Each and every DC practicing in Italy must sincerely ask himself if he's contributing his efforts for the growth of the chiropractic profession or if he's encouraging others to compromise it.
Chiropractors should have the moral obligation to support the Association of Italian Chiropractors (AIC) in order to protect the chiropractic profession and not compromise it in any way.
Our combined efforts must first achieve the recognition of our profession here in Italy. Only then will chiropractic be a distinct part of all health professions; consequently we can begin to share a limited portion of our methodology and can emphasize our distinct identity.
Until these changes take place, intraprofessional sharing goes one way.
Mario Forieri, D.C.
Viterbo, Italy