Chiropractic Congress in Rio – A Great Success!
- Category: News
In the biggest event in the history of chiropractic in Latin America, over 900 delegates attended the 11th Biennial Congress of the World Federation of Chiropractic, hosted by the Brazilian Chiropractors’ Association (ABQ) and held in Rio de Janeiro, April 6-9, 2011.
Half the attendees were chiropractors and students from the host country of Brazil; which now has over 600 chiropractors country-wide, and nearly 700 students enrolled in Brazil’s two university-based chiropractic programs. These universities, co-sponsors of the Congress, are Feevale University in Novo Hamburgo and the Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM) in Sao Paulo.
“Congratulations for the fantastic Congress”, wrote Dr. Robert Gevers of Spain, praising all aspects of the program. “Thank you for an inspiring Congress” wrote Dr. Tobias Lauritsen, President, Swedish Chiropractic Association and “I had a truly unforgettable experience”, says Canadian student Fabio Levi in his email.
The outstanding academic program included themes of sports chiropractic, the cervical spine, the history and current status of spinal manipulation and new models of chiropractic practice.
The first morning was devoted to sports chiropractic, ultimately due of the passion for football and sports in Brazil. For this reason the Congress was opened by Mr. Bernard Raijzman, former Minister of Sport, President of the Athletes Commission for the Brazilian Olympic Committee and one of the country’s most famous volleyball players.
 |
 |
| The sports chiropractic Grand Rounds Panel. Left to right: Dr. Lindsay Rowe, Dr. Tom Greenway, Dr. Sheila Wilson, Dr. Marcelo Botelho and Dr. Wagner Castropil. | Dr. Philip Santiago, USA, sports chiropractic specialist, addresses the congress. |
Later in the morning the WFC honored Carlos Alberto Torres, a national hero in Brazil as Captain of the 1970 football team that won the World Cup. He received a standing ovation after calling forward his chiropractor Dr. Eliza del Grande. He explained how he came to her on crutches suffering from a back problem, told of his quick and complete recovery under chiropractic care when other treatment had failed, and emphasized that regular chiropractic care was keeping him in good health. Dr. del Grande (left) and Mr. Torres pictured here.
Related meetings held during the Congress included: the WFC’s Assembly attended by leaders representing almost 50 international associations; the FICS Assembly attended by sports chiropractic leaders worldwide; and the annual meeting of the World Congress of Chiropractic Students (WCCS) attended by 115 student leaders representing 27 chiropractic institutions around the world.
“This was the first time the WFC and WCCS have held their congresses together”, says WFC President, Dr. Mike Flynn, Past Chairman of the American Chiropractic Association, “and this was a great success for both organizations”. Dr. Flynn had high praise for WCCS President, Dr. Stanton Hom a recent graduate of the Southern California University of Health Sciences, and his organizing team.
The WCCS represents the profession’s future leaders. An example of the benefits of merging current and future leaders was having WCCS delegates attend the WFC Assembly as Dr. Scott Haldeman gave his keynote address on the future of spine care and the profession.
 |
 |
Gerard Clum, Past-President Life Chiropractic College West (left) and Dr. Richard Brown, President, British Chiropractic Association (right) address the WFC Assembly |
The WCCS delegates also heard and participated in a discussion forum on whether or not there should be use of medication in chiropractic practice. Keynote speakers on that subject were Dr. Gian Joerger, President of the Association of Swiss Chiropractors, Dr. Dennis Richards, Past-President, Chiropractors Association of Australia, Dr. Richard Brown, President, British Chiropractic Association, Dr. Gerard Clum, Past-President, Life College of Chiropractic West and Dr. Charmaine Korporaal, Vice-President, Chiropractors’ Association of South Africa and Program Leader, School of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology.
“This was the best discussion of a deeply controversial subject I have ever heard in the profession”, says Dr. Scott Haldeman, “and all speakers for or against made superb presentations”.
Over 200 original research presentations were received for the Congress. The first prize, named the Scott Haldeman Award worth $10,000 and sponsored by NCMIC, went to Dr. Mette Jensen-Stochkendahl (pictured left) and her colleagues from Denmark for a new randomized controlled trial of chiropractic treatment for patients with musculoskeletal chest pain.
The three other main prizes also went to researchers outside North America: second prize to Jacqueline Trierweiler and colleagues from Feevale University, Brazil; third prize to Dr. Allan Kalamir and colleagues from Macquarie University in Australia; and finally, the Private Practice Award to Dr. Marcelo Botelho and Dr. Bruno Andrade of Brazil.
Very popular and highly successful aspects of the Congress were one to three day seminars given by Dr. Arlan Fuhr, (Activator Methods, leading Sponsor for the Congress), Dr. Michael Leahy (ART Spine Certification Course), Dr. Elise Hewitt (pediatrics), Dr. Gary Jacob (McKenzie Methods) and Dr. Kevin Jardine (kinesiology taping).
Speakers of the Thursday philosophy forum were Dr. Gerard Clum, Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, President, Parker College of Chiropractic and Dr. Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock of Canada. For the many Brazilians present, whose native language is Portuguese, the Congress provided simultaneous translation for this forum and all other plenary sessions.
The musical and social program along with the stunning beauty and attractions of Rio, were the special highlights of this event: The Congress opened with a colourful samba band, the Brazil night featured the spectacular Brazilian culture, and Saturday’s Gala, celebrated by 450 chiropractors and students and their partners, was inspirational.
The final evening Gala Banquet and Dance closed the Congress. The after dinner guest speaker was Dr. Marcos Musafir, Past-President of the Brazilian Orthopedic Society and Brazil’s representative on the executive of the Bone and Joint Decade. He spoke of the burden of musculoskeletal disability, and of his support for the chiropractic profession and its efforts to become established and recognized in Brazil. Also speaking impressively was Dr. Richard Visser, Minister of Health, Aruba. Dr. Visser, a Palmer West Graduate is the world’s only chiropractor holding the office of national minister of health.
 |
 |
Dr Philippe Druart and Dr Sira Borges receiving Honor Awards for their outstanding contribution towards the international advancement of the chiropractic profession, during the WFC’s 11th Biennial Awards Gala and Awards Banquet. |
During the closing ceremonies of the Congress Dr. Juliana Piva, ABQ President thanked the WFC and its members worldwide for an event that had given her and many young chiropractors and students in Brazil “renewed confidence and enthusiasm in our continuing fight to establish the chiropractic profession in Brazil”.
WFC President, Dr. Mike Flynn explained that the hard work of the ABQ Congress Planning Committee and the remarkable warmth and hospitality of the ABQ members and Brazilians in general had made this as memorable as any WFC congress.
The next WFC Congress is to be held in Durban, South Africa from April 10-13, 2013. Mark those dates now and plan to join us! This will be your chance of a lifetime to view Africa’s exotic wildlife in the famous game parks and to experience the best of chiropractic education and research from our world wide community.
