Idaho § 54-704 - Chiropractic practice

§ 54-704. Chiropractic practice

(1) Chiropractic practice and procedures that may be employed by physicians are as follows: the system of specific adjustment or manipulation of the articulations and tissues of the body; the investigation, examination and clinical diagnosis of conditions of the human body and the treatment of the human body by the application of manipulative, manual, mechanical, physiotherapeutic or clinical nutritional methods and may include the use of diagnostic X-rays.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) "Adjustment" means the application of a precisely controlled force applied by hand or by mechanical device to a specific focal point on the anatomy for the express purpose of creating a desired angular movement in skeletal joint structures in order to eliminate or decrease interference with neural transmission and correct or attempt to correct subluxation complex; "chiropractic adjustment" utilizes, as appropriate, short-lever force, high-velocity force, short-amplitude force, or specific line-of-correction force to achieve the desired angular movement, as well as low-force neuromuscular, neurovascular, neuro-cranial, or neuro-lymphatic reflex technique procedures.

(b) "Manipulation" means an application of a resistive movement by applying a nonspecific force without the use of a thrust that is directed into a region and not into a focal point of the anatomy for the general purpose of restoring movement and reducing fixation.

(c) "Massage therapy," also called massology, means the systematic manual or mechanical mobilization of the soft tissue of the body by such movements as rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping and tapping for the purpose of promoting circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, release from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and the other benefits both physical and mental.

(3) Nothing herein contained shall allow a physician to:

(a) Perform surgical operations or practice obstetrics; or

(b) Prescribe, dispense, independently administer, distribute, or direct to a patient a drug, substance or product that:

(i) Under federal law is required, prior to being dispensed or delivered, to be labeled with any of the following statements:

1. "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription";

2. "Rx only"; or

3. "Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian"; or

(ii) Is required by any applicable federal or state law, rule or regulation to be dispensed on prescription only or prescription drug order only, or is restricted to use by practitioners only.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, a chiropractic physician certified in clinical nutrition may independently administer prescription drug products as provided in section 54-716 , Idaho Code.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, a chiropractic physician certified in clinical nutrition may issue a prescription for drug products provided in section 54-716 , Idaho Code, to be:

(a) Dispensed by an Idaho licensed pharmacy;

(b) Delivered directly to the prescribing chiropractic physician’s office; and

(c) Administered directly to the patient in the prescribing chiropractic physician’s office.

(6) Chiropractic practice, as herein defined, is hereby declared not to be the practice of medicine within the meaning of the laws of the state of Idaho defining the same, and physicians licensed pursuant to this chapter shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 18, title 54 , Idaho Code, nor liable to any prosecution thereunder, when acting within the scope of practice as defined in this chapter.

[54-704, added 1980, ch. 334, sec. 2, p. 863; am. 1993, ch. 157, sec. 1, p. 402; am. 2017, ch. 190, sec. 2, p. 431; am. 2020, ch. 234, sec. 1, p. 689.]