ATTORNEY GENERAL v BENO
Docket No. 71558
Supreme Court of Michigan
August 27, 1985
422 Mich 293
Argued October 3, 1984 (Calendar No. 8).
In an opinion by Justice BRICKLEY, joined by Justices LEVIN, RYAN, CAVANAGH, and BOYLE, the Supreme Court held:
A chiropractor may not be enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of medicine on the ground that the practices complained of are outside the scope of chiropractic practice unless the practices are found to be within the practice of medicine.
1. The Public Health Code defines chiropractic and requires a person who practices it to be licensed. Chiropractic is a discipline that deals with the nervous system and its interrelationship with other body systems. It includes diagnosis, including spinal analysis, to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference and thus indicating the need for chiropractic care. Chiropractic
2. The x-ray, diagnosis, and treatment of an elbow are all outside the statutory definition of chiropractic practice. The Public Health Code provides for such practices only for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misalignments. The Legislature did not intend that chiropractors be authorized to perform differential diagnosis to rule out the existence of localized non-spinal ailments in areas such as an elbow. While x-rays may be used to locate subluxations or misalignments in the spine, they may not be used to rule out local problems. Where there are hazy lines between the jurisdiction of health-care professions, the public health and safety is best protected by more strictly construing the jurisdiction of more specialized and limited fields, such as chiropractic, in favor of those requiring more comprehensive training and licensing.
3. A comprehensive physical examination, including the analysis of blood, hair, and urine samples, physical observations of the throat, mouth, and eyes, the taking of pulse and blood pressures, and the examination of the lungs and abdomen, are outside the scope of chiropractic practice. The plain words of the code do not evince any legislative intent to license chiropractors to engage in such practices, the legislative history indicating that the drafters consciously rejected them. The purpose of obtaining bodily specimens and performing physical examinations is to diagnose and discover maladies and diseases which are not strictly limited to spinal subluxations or misalignments. The Legislature rejected the inclusion of differential diagnoses and physical examinations within the scope of chiropractic, and permitted chiropractors only to undertake diagnosis to determine the need for chiropractic care.
4. The practice of chiropractic does not include the performance of incisive surgical procedures or the performance of invasive procedures requiring instrumentation. The practice does include the use of analytical instruments, nutritional advice, rehabilitative exercise, and adjustment apparatus for
5. The diagnosis of a patient‘s general health by means of a complete physical examination for the purposes of completing an employee health record is outside the scope of chiropractic practice. There is nothing in the chiropractic act which would indicate an intent to include within the scope of chiropractic practice the making of determinations regarding the condition of a patient‘s general anatomy and certifying or representing the state of the patient‘s general health.
6. The practice of dispensing vitamin or food supplements to patients by chiropractors is within the provisions of the act authorizing a chiropractor to give nutritional advice as part of a program to correct a subluxation or misalignment of the spine. However, chiropractors are precluded from using drugs or medicines in treatment.
Chief Justice WILLIAMS, concurring, stated that the practice of chiropractic is not limited solely to those practices enumerated in the chiropractic statute, but includes all other practices not declared to be within the exclusive jurisdiction of a different healing art or a practice totally prohibited to anyone.
Reversed in part and remanded.
Justice RILEY took no part in the decision of this case.
124 Mich App 342; 335 NW2d 31 (1983) reversed in part and remanded.
REFERENCES FOR POINTS IN HEADNOTES
[1, 2, 4-6] Am Jur 2d, Physicians, Surgeons, and Other Healers §§ 5, 121 et seq.
Scope of practice of chiropractic. 16 ALR4th 58.
OPINION OF THE COURT
1. HEALTH — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE — CHIROPRACTORS — INJUNCTIONS — UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
A chiropractor may not be enjoined from engaging in the unli-
2. HEALTH — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE — CHIROPRACTORS — SCOPE OF CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE.
Chiropractic practice, as provided by the Public Health Code, includes the use of x-rays, analytical instruments, nutritional advice, rehabilitative exercise, and adjustment apparatus, as regulated by the Board of Chiropractic, for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae of the spine; such procedures may not be used to diagnose or rule out the existence of localized non-spinal ailments such as those pertaining to an elbow (
3. HEALTH — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE — CHIROPRACTORS — SCOPE OF CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE.
The practice of chiropractic does not include the performance of incisive surgical procedures or invasive procedures requiring instrumentation, or the dispensing or prescribing of drugs or medicine (
4. HEALTH — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE — CHIROPRACTORS — PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS — EMPLOYMENT HEALTH RECORDS — SCOPE OF CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE.
The performing of a comprehensive physical examination, including the analysis of blood, hair, and urine samples, physical observations of the throat, mouth, and eyes, the taking of pulse and blood pressures, and the examination of the lungs and abdomen are outside the scope of chiropractic practice, including performing such an examination for the purpose of completing an employee health record (
5. HEALTH — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE — CHIROPRACTORS — VITAMINS — DRUGS AND MEDICINES — SCOPE OF CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE.
A chiropractor may recommend or dispense vitamin or food supplements to patients under the provisions of the Public Health Code authorizing chiropractors to give nutritional advice as part of a program to correct a subluxation or misalignment of the spine; however, chiropractors are precluded from using drugs or medicines in the treatment of patients (
CONCURRING OPINION BY WILLIAMS, C.J.
6. HEALTH — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE — CHIROPRACTORS — SCOPE OF CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE.
The practice of chiropractic is not limited solely to those practices enumerated in the chiropractic statute, but includes all other practices not declared to be within the exclusive jurisdiction of a different healing art or a practice totally prohibited to anyone (
Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Louis J. Caruso, Solicitor General, and Mary K. Hicks, Assistant Attorney General, for the Attorney General.
Robert Dean for the defendant.
Amici Curiae:
Michael C. Levine for Michigan State Chiropractic Association.
Kirkpatrick W. Dilling and Robert E. Armstrong for The National Health Federation.
BRICKLEY, J. This case requires interpretation of the “practice of chiropractic” under the licensing provision of the Public Health Code as it relates to the use of x-ray in other than the spinal area, the giving of a general physical examination including the analysis of hair and urine samples, the execution of an employee health record, the use of galvanic current, ultrasound, and diathermy, and the dispensing of vitamins to patients.
We hold that the dispensing of vitamins is within the practice of chiropractic, that the record is not sufficiently developed to decide the applicability of the statute as to the use of galvanic current for diagnostic purposes, but concur with the Court of Appeals that the remaining enumerated practices fall outside of the chiropractic statute. We find, however, that the issuance of an
I
BACKGROUND
This case arises as a result of visitations by an investigator employed by the Department of Licensing and Regulation, at the office of Dr. James Beno, a licensed chiropractor. In his first visit to the office in March of 1977, the investigator complained of low back pain and a sore elbow. He completed a personal data card and history sheet. The appellant then took a series of four x-rays of the lower back and four x-rays of the right elbow and asked the investigator-patient to return at a later date.
A second visit occurred a week later, at which time appellant performed a physical examination, which included a taking of the patient‘s blood pressure, a reading of his pulse, and an examination of his lungs, eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth and heart. Dr. Beno further performed a series of neurological tests by tapping with a rubber hammer and palpating various portions of the investigator‘s anatomy. A urine specimen was obtained. Next, the appellant photographed the investigator‘s spinal area with a polaroid camera in a process called contour analysis. The patient was then placed on a table where Dr. Beno, using a Rich-MAR galvanic stimulator, sought trigger points or hypersensitive neurological irritants in
With a female investigator posing as his wife, the investigator returned for a third office call five days later. Dr. Beno described the patient‘s spine as being slightly twisted and one hip as being higher than the other. This was explained as a problem involving an L-5-S-1 subluxation, and the doctor presented the patient with a proposed treatment plan. The treatment plan was said to have an eighty-nine percent probability of complete recovery based on similar conditions in other patients. Therapy would include adjustments to free pinched nerves, ultrasound to reduce irritation, and, to accelerate healing, deep massage and diathermy would be used. Also included in the therapy would be intersegmental traction to tighten ligaments and stabilize joints, galvanic currents to release trigger points, a second set of x-rays and complete examination, as well as oral intake of Nuclix, a dietary supplement containing vitamins and minerals, in order to rebuild back ligaments. Compensation was discussed.
During this third visit, Dr. Beno executed a form employee health record indicating that the investigator was approved for employment. He put check marks under the category “normal” for numerous aspects of the investigator‘s health, including heart, chest-lungs, abdomen, eyes, head, and skin. Dr. Beno signed the form in a box marked “examining physician,” but with the letters “D.C.” following his signature. In the course of his testimony Dr. Beno revealed that while he did not do so on this occasion, he also frequently used hair sample analysis in his patient work-up.
In September of 1977, appellee filed a complaint in circuit court seeking to enjoin defendant from engaging in certain practices mentioned above. At
Following an initial hearing, the circuit court, on January 23, 1978, issued a preliminary injunction which remained in effect until the effective date of the Public Health Code, September 30, 1978.1 After the code became effective, the circuit court, on motion of appellant, dissolved the preliminary injunction and remanded the matter to the Department of Licensing and Regulation, Board of Chiropractic, for an “advisory opinion” concerning whether the procedures conducted by Dr. Beno were violative of the new code provisions regarding chiropractic practice.2
Hearings were then held before an administrative law examiner who issued findings of fact and conclusions of law. The board reviewed the matter on the record and on January 27, 1981, entered an opinion which separately addressed each of the practices conducted by appellant.
In May of 1981, the circuit court entered an
The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court‘s order permanently enjoining defendant from engaging in the practices determined to be outside the scope of chiropractic practice. Attorney General v Beno, 124 Mich App 342; 335 NW2d 31 (1983).
We granted defendant‘s application for leave to appeal on May 17, 1984. 419 Mich 877.
II
FINDINGS OF LOWER TRIBUNALS
Defendant‘s practices and procedures that were
The hearing officer, Board of Chiropractic, trial court, and the Court of Appeals found that the taking of x-rays of the elbow exceeded the scope of the practice of chiropractic. The hearing officer, trial court, and the Court of Appeals found that the giving of a general physical examination and the use of urine and hair samples also exceeded the scope of chiropractic, but the board found their use to be within the practice of chiropractic. The hearing officer and the board were in agreement that the execution of an employment approval physical form was within the purview of chiropractic under the act, but the trial court and the Court of Appeals found it to be outside the act.
All four bodies found the use of ultrasound, diathermy, and galvanic procedures to be outside the practice of chiropractic, with the exception that the board held that the galvanic current procedure could be used for diagnostic purposes.
Finally on the question of the prescription and sale of vitamins, the hearing officer and the board found it within the scope of chiropractic, while the courts disagreed.
III
ANALYSIS
The appellant points out that the approach of the lower tribunals was to examine each of the practices and procedures complained of by testing them against the statutory definition of the practice of chiropractic, and to the extent they were found not to be defined therein they were consid-
The Attorney General does not dispute appellant‘s contention in this regard, but rather argues that all of these activities that were enjoined were outside of chiropractic and that despite no such finding below we should find as a matter of law that they amounted to the practice of medicine without a license.
The practice of medicine is defined as
the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, cure, or relieving of a human disease, ailment, defect, complaint, or other physical or mental condition, by attendance, advice, device, diagnostic test, or other means, or offering, undertaking, attempting to do, or holding oneself out as able to do, any of these acts. [1978 PA 368, § 17001(1)(c);
MCL 333.17001(1)(c) ; MSA 14.15(17001)(1)(c).]
We find appellant‘s argument to be obviously valid. The chiropractic statute does not prohibit the exercise of any non-chiropractic health-care
It may well be that some or all of defendant‘s activities that are found to exceed the more limited practice of chiropractic amount to the practice of medicine under the broad statutory definition of that discipline. In that case, assuming that defendant is not also licensed to practice medicine, the activities in question would be enjoinable.
Our analysis, as a result, will focus on the question whether the practices in question are within the practice of chiropractic. To the extent they are not, we will remand for an opportunity for the plaintiff to establish that the defendant has engaged in the practice of medicine without a license.
We begin then with an analysis of the definition of the practice of chiropractic and measure against it the complained of practices.
The practice of chiropractic is delineated in
(b) “Practice of chiropractic” means that discipline within the healing arts which deals with the nervous system and its relationship to the spinal column and its interrelationship with other body systems. Practice of chiropractic includes:
(i) Diagnosis, including spinal analysis, to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference, indicating the necessity for chiropractic care.
(ii) The adjustment of spinal subluxations or misalignments and related bones and tissues for the establishment of neural integrity utilizing the inherent recuperative powers of the body for restoration and maintenance of health.
(iii) The use of analytical instruments, nutritional advice, rehabilitative exercise and adjustment apparatus regulated by rules promulgated by the board pursuant to section 16423, and the use of x-ray machines in the examination of patients for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae of the human spine. The practice of chiropractic does not include the performance of incisive surgical procedures, the performance of an invasive procedure requiring instrumentation, or the dispensing or prescribing of drugs or medicine.
A. Diagnostic X-Ray and Treatment of Elbow
Because the investigator-patient complained of a sore back and right elbow, Dr. Beno took four x-rays of the right elbow and, before the administrative law examiner, testified that had the investigator returned, he would have done a “further examination” of the elbow including an “orthopedic evaluation.” The inquiry on the further examination would have been into whether the elbow pain was caused by a local disorder (i.e., whether the pain originated in the elbow) or by a spinal subluxation or misalignment.
The trial court enjoined defendant from “diagnosing or attempting to diagnose other than spinal subluxations or misalignments which produce nerve interference” and from “treating or attempting to treat, or x-raying or attempting to x-ray an elbow.”
Defendant asserts that chiropractors are authorized to diagnose an elbow ailment to determine if its cause is local (i.e., originates in the elbow area)
Section 16401(1)(b)(i), cited by defendant as the statutory basis of his authority to x-ray and examine an elbow, provides in part: “[p]ractice of chiropractic includes: (i) Diagnosis, including spinal analysis, to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference, indicating the necessity for chiropractic care.” Defendant claims that the words “that produce nerve interference” mean that chiropractors may examine ailments in areas other than the spine to determine whether spinal subluxations or misalignments are producing nerve interference and thus causing the non-spinal ailment.
The appellee, Attorney General, cites the same provision as defendant, but argues that “the treatment of or attempt to treat an extremity falls outside the statutory authority of a chiropractor and constitutes the practice of medicine.” Appellee also cites
(b) Practice of chiropractic includes:
* * *
(iii) ... the use of x-ray machines in the examination of patients for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae of the human spine. [Emphasis added.]
The Attorney General contends that if the Legis-
The Attorney General also cites Cotter v Blue Cross, 94 Mich App 129, 133; 288 NW2d 594 (1979), lv den 408 Mich 947 (1980). In Cotter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan sent notice to the plaintiff subscribers that any “[d]iagnostic x-rays of other than the spine ordered and/or performed by a chiropractor” would be excluded from coverage. At that time chiropractors were authorized to “use x-ray and such analytical instruments as are approved by [the board] in the examination of patients solely for the purpose of locating misaligned or displaced vertebrae of the human spine and for the procedures preparatory thereto.” (1933 PA 145 as amended,
The hearing officer in this case stated that
[t]o the extent that a [chiropractor] upon examination of the spinal column can identify a problem in another extremity arising from and as a result of
a condition in the spinal column then it would be permissible for the chiropractor to provide treatment to address the problem in the spinal column that may interreact with other portions of the body system. However, that does not imply that one can diagnose problems in other extremities including diagnostic x-rays of those extremities purportedly on the basis that those extremities are somehow interrelated with the total nervous system and the spinal column. * * *
[U]nless the diagnosis and treatment of the spinal column would address the symptoms in the other extremities, a chiropractic practitioner would be precluded from diagnosing and treating the symptom in the other extremity. [Emphasis in original.]
The hearing officer held that “x-ray of an elbow is outside the scope of chiropractic,” stating, “[t]he statute is clear and it stretches logic as to how the x-ray of a right elbow is in any way encompassed by the [language of the statute].”
The Board of Chiropractic held:6
A chiropractor may use symptoms affecting the right elbow of the patient as a part of an examination to determine whether the affliction may be caused by spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference. It is quite possible that a patient presenting symptoms involving the right elbow may have nerve interference which is causative of, or contributory to, the elbow problem. While it is true that the chiropractor may only treat by directly affecting the spine, diagnosis may involve other parts of the body since the nerve network, efferent from the spinal column, affects other parts of the body. The chiro-
practor is not diagnosing the right elbow problem to determine whether there is something that needs to be treated by him in the elbow, but only for the purpose of determining nerve interference related to the spine. The chiropractor may not directly treat the elbow, nor would he want to. The chiropractor would remove nerve interference through spinal adjustment to effectuate improvement in the condition of the elbow which was related to the nerve interference.
If the diagnosis indicates no nerve interference as the cause of the elbow problem, the chiropractor would refer the patient to another health care provider who would diagnose the specific cause of the problem.
They conclude that x-ray of the elbow is not within the scope of the practice of chiropractic.
The board implicitly agreed with appellant‘s contention that by medical necessity the chiropractor must diagnose or examine the elbow to determine whether the elbow problem is caused by nerve interference related to the spine. Yet, according to the board, the chiropractor still may only treat the spine, not the elbow. The board‘s conclusion is based on its premise that “the nerve network, efferent from the spinal column, affects other parts of the body.” The board seemed to say that since by statutory definition “the practice of Chiropractic [is that discipline] which deals with the nervous system and its relationship to the spinal column and its interrelationship with other body systems,” chiropractors are authorized to diagnose “other body systems” to determine whether problems therein are caused by the “nervous system” which is centered in the spinal column.
The trial court held:
Both the treatment and the X-rays of an elbow
are also outside the scope of chiropractic as statutorily defined. It stretches credibility to conclude that the elbow is so related to the spine that spinal subluxations or misalignments may produce nerve interference in the elbow. The logic of this position would extend chiropractic through the entire body and even the brain! Certainly, that was not the intention of the legislature. Likewise, under MCL 333.16401(1)(b)(iii) [MSA 14.15(16401)(1)(b)(iii)] the use of X-ray machines in the examination of patients is for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae. The elbow contains neither misaligned vertebrae nor spinal subluxations.
The trial court thus rejected the defendant‘s contention that nerve problems in the elbow can be based in spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae.
The Court of Appeals held:
Under
§ 16401(1)(b)(i) , diagnosis is for the limited purpose of determining the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference, indicating the necessity for chiropractic care. We recognize that nerve interference efferent the spinal column may produce symptoms in other parts of the body. Where a patient indicates pain in his elbow, the chiropractor may examine the elbow, but only for the purpose of determining whether the symptom is caused by nerve interference related to the spine. The chiropractor may remove the nerve interference through spinal adjustment, but may not directly treat the elbow.Concerning the x-ray of a patient‘s elbow,
§ 16401(1)(b)(iii) specifically limits the use of x-ray machines in the examination of patients “for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae of the human spine.” Since the x-ray of a patient‘s elbow cannot conceivably be for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations ormisaligned vertebrae, it is not authorized by the statute. [Emphasis in original. 124 Mich App 348.]
Unlike the trial court, the Court of Appeals accepted the appellant‘s view when it acknowledged that “nerve interference efferent the spinal column may produce symptoms in other parts of the body.” While the Court held that a chiropractor may “examine” the elbow, “but only for the purpose of determining whether the symptom is caused by nerve interference related to the spine,” it upheld the trial court‘s injunction.
The defendant now asserts that since he can perform “diagnosis to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference ...,” he must be able to examine and diagnose the parts of the body where nerve interference may be manifesting itself, especially since the practice of chiropractic concerns “the nervous system and its relationship ... with other body systems.”
Before answering that question, we express several observations that guide our interpretation of the statute. First, an examination of
Second,
Where there are hazy lines between the jurisdiction of health-care professions, we think the public health and safety is best protected by more strictly construing the jurisdiction of the more specialized and limited health profession in favor of the more comprehensively trained and licensed profession. It would seem to be more in keeping with public protection to have the broader discipline making diagnostic observations about those things within the specialties of the narrower discipline, rather than vice versa. See Anno: Scope of practice of chiropractic, 16 ALR4th 58.
The defendant here wants to be able to examine the elbow to determine if there is nerve interference. While it is not directly established in the record, we are indirectly led to believe from the testimony that the existence of a spinal subluxation or misalignment cannot be observed by examination of areas away from the spine that may be experiencing the pain of nerve interference. Rather the existence of subluxations or misalignments of the spine can only be observed where they exist. This reading of the record is fortified by the defendant‘s own brief where it is stated: “[a]nd it is absolutely medically necessary to at times x-ray other parts of the body, other than the spine, if the chiropractor is to accurately diagnose which of the subluxations shown on x-ray is the cause of the patient‘s complaint. That may only be done by the elimination of localized problems, such as fracture or bone abnormality.” Only by the process of
elimination of other possible maladies (differential diagnosis) can the chiropractor then advise the patient that the pain in the elbow was caused by the spinal difficulty, which itself can only be directly observed in the spinal area.It could be helpful for the patient to know the consequences of his subluxation or misalignment, and it may influence the desirability of chiropractic treatment. Presumably, it would also help the chiropractor explain why spinal treatment will not in given situations cure painful symptoms. Nevertheless, to allow this kind of diagnosis would require the chiropractor to recognize other maladies that are possible in many other parts of the anatomy and, in such case, lead the patient to believe that a definitive diagnosis relating to those other maladies that may be causing symptoms has been received.7 We do not believe the Legislature intended to authorize such diagnostic techniques.
“Practice of chiropractic” means that discipline within the healing arts which deals with the nervous system and its relationship to the spinal column and its interrelationship with other body systems. It utilizes differential diagnosis and spinal analysis to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference, or the necessity for referral to other health care professionals, and the adjustment of spinal subluxations or misalignments and related bones and tissues for the establishment of neural integrity utilizing the inherent recuperative powers of the body for the restoration and maintenance of health. It includes the use of analytical instruments, nutritional advice, rehabilitative exercise and adjustment apparatus regulated by rules promulgated by the board of chiropractic pursuant to section 16423 and the use of x-ray machines in the examination of patients for the purpose of locating spinal subluxations or misaligned vertebrae of the human spine. As used in this subdivision, “differential diagnosis” means the determination of the necessity of chiropractic care or the referral to other health care professionals by the use of spinal analysis, physical examination, or interpretation of referred diagnostic procedures. [Emphasis added.]
[The practice of chiropractic includes:]
Advising a patient to consult a health professional licensed under another section of this act in the event the patient‘s condition cannot in whole or in part, be treated under this part. [1977 Journal of the House 1694.]
Similarly in the Senate an amendment was offered and defeated which would have changed the present wording of
Diagnosis . . . to determine the existence of spinal subluxation or misalignments that produce nerve interference indicating the necessity for chiropractic care. [1978 Journal of the Senate 1422.]
Thus, aside from any asserted competence to diagnose localized ailments in areas such as the elbow or kidney, the Legislature‘s rejection of these proposed changes indicates an intent that the scope of the practice of chiropractic not include the duty to originally diagnose non-spinal ailments to determine whether they are treatable by chiropractic or whether the treatment should be done by another health-care professional.
Moreover,
Perhaps to avoid this exact holding, an amendment was offered and voted down in the House that would have changed
[The practice of chiropractic includes] the use of x-ray machines in the examination of patients as generally used in the practice of chiropractic. [1977 Journal of the House 1694.]
The rejection of this broad language in favor of the more narrow wording restricting the purpose of x-ray use to the location of spinal subluxations or misalignments further establishes the legislative intent that x-rays may only be performed on the spine.
In addition, we concur in the Attorney General‘s argument that the important policy of ensuring safe treatment of patients is best promoted by this interpretation. Under appellant‘s view, there is the potential that the patient, being told by the chiropractor that the problem is in his back (not his elbow), will not seek medical attention. This delay could lead to unnecessary aggravation of the localized ailment. This result is best avoided by
If the practice of x-raying or diagnosing other parts of the body is ultimately enjoined as a result of this interpretation of the chiropractic discipline, it may make it difficult for the chiropractor to project the effect of treatment on certain bodily symptoms, but it would not interfere with the ability of the chiropractor to locate or treat spinal subluxations or misalignments. In this case, the appellant diagnosed spinal subluxations by the use of x-ray on the investigator‘s spinal area. This is the type of diagnosis and use of x-ray contemplated by
Lastly, it follows from the above analysis that the scope of chiropractic does not include the authority to treat an elbow. The Legislature would not have authorized the treatment of an elbow where it prohibited the x-ray and differential diagnosis of it. A contrary rule would allow the treatment of the elbow where there is no ability to even make a diagnosis as to the ailment being treated. Also, the plain language of
In sum, the x-ray, diagnosis, and treatment of an elbow are all outside the statutory definition of chiropractic practice.
B. Physical Examination
Appellant testified that he tested the investiga-
The appellant testified that he routinely took hair samples to be tested by a laboratory for trace minerals such as cadmium, nickel, and zinc to determine if there was a deficiency or over abundance of minerals. On this basis, appellant would “prescribe proper minerals, vitamins, or enzymes for the correction of the deficiencies or over abundance” of the minerals. Appellant focuses on his own testimony in stressing the importance and necessity of these tests. Urinalysis, when used in conjunction with blood and hair analysis, can provide a concrete picture of what the chemical and biochemical makeup of the patient‘s body is at the time of examination. Blood analysis indicates those elements circulating in the blood at the time the blood is drawn. He further testified that urinalysis indicates what is being excreted from the body, and hair analysis indicates what is being retained by the body.
On the basis of this record, the trial court enjoined the defendant from “[o]btaining, attempting to obtain, or analyzing urine samples or conducting hair analysis. . . .”
Appellant argues that “[a]ll this information is vitally necessary if the chiropractor is to stabilize any low back ailments and structures from which the patient is complaining, and is extremely important if any kind of nutritional advice is to be given the patient.”
Appellant further contends that urinalysis is a necessary procedure because in addition to show-
As to the general physical examination, appellant also cites his own testimony as to why he did each of the acts. The blood pressure was taken to determine the presence or absence of high blood pressure. A high blood pressure could indicate immediate danger for the patient and would require a referral to a medical doctor. It could also indicate that the patient should not undergo chiropractic care. Appellant also indicated that high blood pressure could be somehow related to the spine.
Appellant examined the investigator‘s heart because he claimed a spinal subluxation could possibly produce nerve interference which in turn could produce a reaction in the heart. The nerves that go to the heart, according to appellant‘s testimony, come from the spinal column and thereby create the possibility that an irritation within the spinal column could affect the electrical impulses to the heart.
The investigator‘s lungs were examined as part of the determination of the patient‘s overall health. If problems were found in the lungs, the patient would be referred to a medical doctor.
Appellant testified that he examined the investigator‘s eyes to determine if any problems were present and to determine whether there was ocular nerve involvement. If problems with the eyes were found the patient would be referred to another doctor.
On the basis of this record, the trial court enjoined the defendant from “[p]erforming a physical examination which includes eyes, ears, nose, throat, lungs or abdomen, or employing blood pressure, pulse, urine sample, tongue depressor or stethoscope in the course of said examination . . . .”
If chiropractors are authorized to provide certain types of health care to their patients, then, appellant argues, they must at a minimum be allowed to use those basic diagnostic tests necessary to determine whether and to what extent the patient requires chiropractic care. For example, as appellant testified, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to give nutritional advice to a patient without urine testing. It would be “extremely dangerous” to prescribe any type of exercise regimen for a patient without knowing whether the patient is diabetic. Moreover, he argues, sometimes it is not even possible to discover whether low back pain is spinally caused or kidney related without the use of such testing.
The Attorney General argues that the collection and interpretation of laboratory specimens is outside the scope of chiropractic. He cites Attorney General v Recorder‘s Court Judge, 92 Mich App 42; 285 NW2d 53 (1979), lv den 407 Mich 955 (1980). In that case, occurring under the pre-1978 statute, the chiropractor had taken “throat cultures and urine samples for analytical purposes.” Id., p 55. The appellant there contended “that he had a duty to ascertain whether a patient‘s ailments were of a type to which chiropractic might
The scope of the practice of chiropractic was defined at that time as:
The license provided for in this act shall entitle the holder thereof to practice chiropractic in the state of Michigan, and for the purpose of this act chiropractic is defined as “the locating of misaligned or displaced vertebrae of the human spine, the procedure preparatory to and the adjustment by hand of such misaligned or displaced vertebrae and surrounding bones or tissues, for the restoration and maintenance of health.” A licensed doctor of chiropractic under this act may use x-ray and such analytical instruments as are approved by the Michigan board of chiropractic examiners in the examination of patients solely for the purpose of locating misaligned or displaced vertebrae of the human spine and for the procedures preparatory thereto. [
MCL 338.156 ; MSA 14.596.]
The Court of Appeals in that case rejected the chiropractor‘s arguments and held:
While analysis of human specimens may reveal the existence of organic problems untreatable by chiropractic, this is true of all diagnostic tests used by members of the medical profession. We do not believe the Legislature intended to authorize chiropractors to engage in general diagnostic techniques. Had such a result been intended, it could have been clearly stated, as was done with respect to the use of x-rays. Rather than authorizing general diagnostic techniques, the statute limited chiropractors to those methods which might reveal the existence of misaligned or displaced vertebrae.
We fail to see how taking urine samples or throat cultures will reveal the existence of subluxations. Hence, we conclude that such activitieswere outside the scope of a chiropractor‘s authority. [92 Mich App 56.]
The appellee also cites Cotter v Blue Cross, supra, involving interpretation of the same statute as in Recorder‘s Court Judge, supra. As previously noted in Cotter, p 133, Blue Cross had sent notices to all subscribers saying that “[d]iagnostic laboratory services ordered and/or performed by a chiropractor” would be excluded from coverage. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court‘s grant of summary judgment in favor of Blue Cross, ruling that laboratory services were outside the scope of chiropractic.
Appellee also cites
Sections 20501 to 20525 [various licensing requirements for laboratories] do not apply to any of the following:
* * *
(b) A laboratory operated by an individual licensed to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine and surgery, dentistry, or podiatry who performs clinical laboratory tests or procedures personally or through his or her employees only as an adjunct to the treatment of the licensee‘s patients.
1979 AC, R 325.2351 provides in part: “A laboratory may examine specimens at the request of a physician, dentist or other person authorized by law to receive such results.”
Thus, according to the appellee, the absence of the term “chiropractor” in these provisions indicates that the Legislature could not have envi-
Finally, appellee argues that by representing himself as competent to rule out or detect non-spinal ailments by using a complete physical examination, appellant is engaging in “differential diagnosis.” Appellee also sets forth substitute House Bill 6306,
The Attorney General concludes that the Legislature, therefore, rejected the inclusion of differential diagnosis and physical examinations within the scope of chiropractic, opting instead for chiropractors to diagnose only to determine the need for chiropractic care rather than allowing them to rule out the need for medical care from any other health-care provider.
The hearing officer found these practices outside the scope of chiropractic on the basis of the authority of the Court of Appeals holding in Recorder‘s Court Judge, supra, and the legislative rejection of differential diagnosis. He also found nothing in the chiropractic statutes authorizing these practices.
The board differed with the hearing officer, finding that urine analysis is helpful in “whether there is nerve interference which affects the functioning of the kidneys” and is “useful in giving nutritional advice” and, in respect to hair analysis, that “the analysis of the chemical makeup of hair is a recognized tool in assessing the nutritional state of a person.”
The board also opined that they saw no reason “why a chiropractor cannot use such basic instruments as a sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, and tongue depressor in gathering data concerning the general physical condition of a patient.” This is within the scope of chiropractic “as long as the
They found it was “entirely appropriate” for chiropractors “to gather data which may be used to determine whether or not chiropractic treatment is indicated, and if so, the specific nature of nerve interference.” The board was “supportive of the concept of differential diagnosis in the sense that it means deciding whether or not chiropractic care is called for.”
They also adopted the appellant‘s argument that “it would be potentially dangerous to employ certain rehabilitative exercises without knowing such basic information as pulse rate and blood pressure.”
The trial court found the collection and analysis of laboratory specimens to be outside the scope of chiropractic unless it is necessary to locate a spinal subluxation or misalignment, and its reading of the record found that neither hair nor urine analysis were “necessary or related to spinal subluxations or misalignments.” The court further found that since the chiropractor cannot treat the general health of the patient and the profession is not one of “total patient care” a complete physical examination “goes far, far beyond the statutory guidelines for the practice of chiropractic.”
The Court of Appeals, beginning with the observation that under the statute chiropractic diagnosis is for the “limited purpose of determining the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference,” held that the reasoning of Recorder‘s Court Judge, supra, was still valid under the current statute. The Court agreed that “information gained from general diagnostic techniques and analysis of human specimens may be important to the safe rendering of chiropractic care,” but, nevertheless, it ruled that
The differences between the conclusion of the board and that of the lower courts are based essentially on the board‘s willingness to have the scope of chiropractic include differential diagnosis. In its findings on the elbow issue as with this issue of specimen analysis and physical examination, the board disclaims any authority within the chiropractic statute for the treatment of any of the other parts or organs of the non-spinal anatomy; yet, inexplicably, they would accord to chiropractic the authority and, assumedly, the expertise to diagnose other bodily ailments as a means of eliminating the cause of symptoms resulting from other than nerve interference. As expressed in the elbow issue, our assumption from the record and the appellant‘s own arguments is that spinal subluxations and misalignments can only be located at their source and that the effects of nerve interference in other parts of the body can only be ascertained by the elimination of other causes of the symptoms. We do not see anything in the words of the chiropractic licensing statute “diagnosis . . . to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference” that would suggest it could be read as “diagnosis to determine alternate causes of nerve interference” by the use of physical examination or collection and interpretation of laboratory specimens. In Kentucky Ass‘n of Chiropractors, Inc v Jefferson County Medical Society, 549 SW2d 817, 819-820 (Ky, 1977), the Kentucky Supreme Court interpreted a statute which stated that “chiropractor means one qualified by experience and training to diagnose his patients and
We find significant, as did the lower courts, the rejection by the Legislature of the principle of differential diagnosis. The rejection of this language along with the other previously mentioned considerations, indicate a strict interpretation of the word “diagnosis” is most in tune with the lawmaker‘s intent.
Even more importantly, on June 16, 1977, an amendment was offered in the House which would have changed
[Practice of chiropractic includes] diagnosis including physical examination and spinal analysis to determine the existence of spinal subluxations . . . . [1977 Journal of the House 1694.]
The rejection of the words “physical examination” in the proposed amendment bolsters the conclusion that the Legislature did not intend the per-
Appellant argues that certain information such as that which can be ascertained from urine specimens and blood pressure tests would be helpful, if not health preserving, in preparation for chiropractic treatment. Even if true, these considerations cannot change the conclusion reached in interpreting a statute that is clearly intended to limit the scope of chiropractic and in which the purpose of a chiropractic “diagnosis” is specifically limited to the determination of existing subluxations or misalignments. By the appellant‘s own testimony and the board‘s own findings, it is clear that the purpose of collecting information from obtaining body specimens and doing a physical examination is to diagnose and discover maladies and diseases which are not spinal subluxations or misalignments. This contravenes the plain language of
The arguments advanced by the appellant that many of the procedures used, such as physical observation of the mouth and the taking of pulse and blood pressure, were routine and in many cases, amount to no more than home remedies may be more persuasive on remand in determining whether they constitute the practice of medicine.8 Appellant did not perform these acts individually, but admittedly performed them as part of a comprehensive physical examination. Such an undertaking is outside the scope of chiropractic practice.
C. Use of Galvanic Current, Diathermy, and Ultrasound
The Court of Appeals upheld the trial court‘s order enjoining appellant from “[u]tilizing galvanic
The appellee called a biomedical technician who testified as follows about the operation of these machines. An ultrasound machine produces ultrasonic sound waves which penetrate the body where they dissipate into heat or are monitored in their return from the body. A diathermy machine produces radio waves which penetrate the body (the waves will actually penetrate anything but metal) and generate heat within the body. A pulse diathermy machine is identical except that it will turn the radio waves on and off at millisecond rates. When a galvanic stimulator is used, the patient‘s body is used as a path for electricity. The machine causes electric currents to flow “all over” the body because the body is used as a path for electricity. An applicator wand and a wetted sponge are used in this procedure.
Only appellant testified to the medical purposes of these devices, stating that galvanic current assists the chiropractor in diagnosis by helping to localize the area of spinal subluxation by searching out “trigger points.” He also testified that it is used therapeutically to release “obnoxious trigger points” and reduce irritation in the spinal area, and it serves as a deep massage to produce localized heat and thereby alleviate pain. Pulse diathermy, he stated, is used to release muscle spasms in the lower lumbar area prior to an adjustment to realign the spinal subluxation. He said that the muscles and ligaments are more likely to hold the realigned position if pulse diathermy is used first. He noted that diathermy increases the circulation, blood supply, and nutrition to the affected area, which in turn accelerate the healing rate of the adjusted spine. Lastly, Dr.
. . . Practice of chiropractic includes:
(iii) The use of analytical instruments, nutritional advice, rehabilitative exercise and adjustment apparatus regulated by rules promulgated by the board pursuant to [MCL 333.16423 ; MSA 14.15(16423)] . . . . The practice of chiropractic does not include the performance of incisive surgical procedures, [or] the performance of an invasive procedure requiring instrumentation . . . . [Emphasis added.]
(1) The board shall promulgate rules to establish criteria for the approval of analytical instruments and adjustment apparatus to be used for the purpose of examining patients in locating spinal subluxations and misalignments of the human spine. The criteria established shall be substantially equivalent to nationally recognized standards in the profession for the use and operation of the instruments. The board may approve types and makes of analytical instruments that meet these criteria.
(2) An individual shall not use analytical instruments or adjustment apparatus which does not meet nationally recognized standards or which is not approved by the board.
The Board of Chiropractic has issued rules which became effective January 14, 1982, after the
1982 AACS, R 338.12001 provides in part:
As used in these rules:
(a) “Adjustment apparatus” means a tool or device used to apply a mechanical force to correct a subluxation or misalignment of the vertebral column or related bones and tissues for the establishment of neural integrity.
(b) “Analytical instruments” means instruments which monitor the body‘s physiology for the purpose of determining subluxated or misaligned vertebrae or related bones and tissues.
R 338.12010 states:
In accordance with section 16423 of the code, the following criteria are established for adjustment apparatus which the board has been asked to approve:
(a) The purpose of the apparatus is to restore or maintain alignment of vertebrae.
(b) The apparatus applies a mechanical force to the spine or related bones and tissues.
R 338.12011 provides:
In accordance with section 16423 of the code, the following criterion is established for analytical instruments which the board has been asked to approve:
The purpose of the instrument is to monitor the body‘s physiology for the purpose of determining subluxated or misaligned vertebrae or related bones and tissues.
The board (prior to the issuance of their regulations on this subject) concluded that “the use of these modes for therapeutic purposes is outside the scope of chiropractic.” (Emphasis added.) The board did, however, find that galvanic current was an appropriate chiropractic diagnostic technique. The board disagreed with the hearing officer and opined that the use of these devices does not result in an invasive procedure.
The trial court found that all are excluded from the scope of chiropractic because they involve “entrance into the body of sound waves, electric current or heat.” Accordingly, the court held that they are invasive procedures requiring instrumentation and expressly excluded under
The Court of Appeals did not decide whether these practices are invasive. It held that the activities are included in the practice of physical therapy and that a person is not permitted to engage in the practice of physical therapy unless so licensed or otherwise authorized by the act. See
This analysis only partially resolves this issue since appellant is arguing that chiropractors are otherwise authorized by law to engage in these practices. We must decide whether these techniques are allowed under the chiropractic act, not under the statutory provisions dealing with physical therapy. Merely because these activities may constitute the practice of physical therapy, or for that matter the practice of medicine, nursing, etc., does not thereby inevitably mean that they are not within the scope of chiropractic. An examination of the licensing jurisdiction of the various health-care professions reveals considerable overlapping among them. It is possible that some of the activity which is included within the broad definition of the practice of medicine is also included within not only chiropractic but also, for example, physical therapy, podiatry, and dentistry. Thus, when analyzing whether a particular activity is within an individual health-care profession, the focus should be on the statutory definition of that profession, and not whether the activity is included within other professions. We therefore do not find the physical therapy statute to be determinative of the issue of the use of these three devices.
We agree with the Court of Appeals that there is no express authorization for the use of these machines within the chiropractic act. Appellant nevertheless maintains that the use of these devices is impliedly authorized by statute, specifically by the word “rehabilitative exercise,” and subsequent board rules. Specifically he points to Board of Chiropractic rule 1982 AACS, R 338.12001(d) which provides:
He contends that since the emphasized language of the board rule is identical to that contained in the statutory definition of the practice of physical therapy,
The interpretation of 1982 AACS, R 338.12001(d) urged by appellant was expressly rejected by the board when it ruled in this case that the therapeutic use of these devices is outside the scope of chiropractic. It is not likely the board would have intended to allow the use of these machines by its regulation when it had earlier ruled that their use is not within chiropractic.
It is undisputed that these machines are used for treatment or therapeutic purposes and not for rehabilitative exercise. During their use, according to appellant‘s testimony, the patient lies still and receives the sound, radio, or electric waves into the treated area. This is not exercise within the meaning of
Aside from any action by the board, there is no implied authorization for the use of these devices in
[The practice of chiropractic includes] [t]he adjustment of spinal subluxations or misalignments and related bones and tissues for the establishment of neural integrity utilizing the inherent recuperative powers of the body for restoration and maintenance of health.
This language contains no suggestion that the Legislature intended to permit the use of these devices. In fact, the wording contemplates that the healing process will utilize “the inherent recuperative powers of the body.” This strongly suggests that the use of sound waves, radio waves, and electrical currents as advocated here was not intended to be allowed since these techniques introduce external stimuli into the human body rather than using the body‘s own recuperative powers. Moreover, the statute states that “adjustment” of spinal subluxations or misalignments is allowed, and there is nothing to indicate that the adjustment of the spine was intended to include the use
Further support for our conclusion exists in the board regulation defining “adjustment apparatus,” 1982 AACS, R 338.12001(a), which states:
“Adjustment apparatus” means a tool or device used to apply a mechanical force to correct a subluxation or misalignment of the vertebral column or related bones and tissues for the establishment of neural integrity.
The record in this case is clear that the electrical currents, radio waves, and sound waves produced by the machines at issue here do not “apply a mechanical force” to the spinal area. Rather these devices are designed to produce high frequency waves which penetrate the body and create heat when the waves are resisted by human cells. This is not a “mechanical force” and we conclude, as did each tribunal below, that the use of these machines for the treatment or relief of human ailments is outside the scope of chiropractic.
There still remains the question whether the use of a galvanic stimulator as an analytical, or diagnostic as opposed to treatment, device is permissible. With regard to the authority of chiropractors to diagnose ailments,
[d]iagnosis, including spinal analysis, to determine the existence of spinal subluxations or misalignments that produce nerve interference, indicating the necessity for chiropractic care.
The use of analytical instruments regulated by
“Analytical instruments” means instruments which monitor the body‘s physiology for the purpose of determining subluxated or misaligned vertebrae or related bones and tissues.
Appellant testified that he used galvanic current as a diagnostic tool by searching out “trigger points” in the spinal area which in turn helped to locate subluxations. The appellee and lower courts have not presented persuasive reasons why the use of the galvanic stimulator is outside the scope of chiropractic. When used as appellant described, this device obviously fits within the board definition of “analytical instrument.” The trial court held that the use of this device is an invasive procedure expressly prohibited by
On this record, we do not agree with the trial court that the evidence showed that the use of this machine constitutes an invasive procedure. As noted above, the appellee called a biomedical technician who testified as to the operation of the galvanic stimulator.10 At no point did the witness testify that in the general use of this machine currents “invade” the body within the meaning of
The Court of Appeals holding that there is no express authorization for the use of this machine as it would apply to diagnosis is not justified on this record. On remand to the trial court the determination should be made, after establishing a better record, whether the use of the machine results in an invasive procedure and, if not, whether its use is permitted as an analytical in
D. Execution of Pre-employment Physical Document
The defendant signed a document entitled “Employee Health Record” for the investigator-patient; filled in the blood pressure reading and checked boxes indicating “normal” for head, eyes, ears, nose-throat, neck, skin, chest-lungs, heart, breast, abdomen, extremities, reflexes, back; and “approved for employment“—with the word “yes.” It was signed “J. J. Beno, D.C.”
The trial court enjoined the “executing [of] a pre-employment physical record without identifying himself as a chiropractor or D.C., or certifying or attempting to certify the general condition of anything other than the spinal column.”
On this issue the parties follow their arguments advanced on the issue of the general physical examination. The appellant considers the form “quite simple in nature” and indicates that the testimony shows that his training and experience renders him competent to conduct an examination. The Attorney General relies on his earlier arguments that patients will be misled to their possible detriment if a chiropractor not only does a physical examination, but creates the same risks for an
The hearing officer, in finding the execution of the document to be within the scope of chiropractic, stated:
There would appear to be a reasonable difference between a pre-employment physical which all too often is done very routinely and a complete physical examination whose purpose is to utilize the results thereof in development of a treatment plan going beyond the existence and treatment of spinal subluxations or misalignments.
The board agreed with the hearing officer that chiropractors can sign such a form “as long as no diagnosis is made of or for treatment of conditions not amenable to chiropractic.”
The trial court, in support of its injunction, held that because chiropractors are not authorized to engage in differential diagnosis and may not hold themselves out as able to do so, a chiropractor could only execute such a form “indicating the general condition of the spinal column . . . .”
In keeping with its findings on the issue of the general physical examination, the Court of Appeals upheld the judgment of the trial court.
On the basis of our analysis relating to the giving of a physical examination, we find it equally persuasive that there is nothing in the chiropractic licensing statute which would indicate that it is intended to be within the scope of that discipline to make a determination of the condition of the general anatomy and perforce to certify or represent the state of a patient‘s general health. We, therefore, find that the diagnosis of a patient‘s general health by means of a complete examination as was done here is outside the scope of chiropractic.
As a result of appellant‘s “prescribing”13 and selling to the patient-investigator a dietary supplement containing vitamins and minerals in order to rebuild back ligaments, the trial court enjoined the “[s]elling, dispensing, or prescribing vitamins to a patient . . . .”
[p]ractice of chiropractic includes . . . (iii) [t]he use of analytical instruments, nutritional advice, rehabilitative exercise and adjustment apparatus . . . . The practice of chiropractic does not include . . . the dispensing or prescribing of drugs or medicines.
The hearing officer, on the basis of the testimony of the Executive Secretary of the Michigan Pharmacy Board, who testified that Nuclix was a dietary supplement or food product and not subject to the pharmacy or drug laws, held that the Attorney General had not met the burden of proving Nuclix was a prohibited drug. Since chiropractors may use nutritional advice, he concluded that the appellant was operating within the chiropractic statute. The board found it unnecessary to decide whether the appellant‘s action was within chiropractic, in view of the fact that it was an over-the-counter product and “not subject to any restriction by any government agency.” The trial court relied
In State v Wilson, 11 Wash App 916; 528 P2d 279 (1974), the Washington Supreme Court ruled that chiropractors may not give or prescribe minerals, vitamins or food supplements. The Court noted that while these items are available without prescription in retail stores they may, nevertheless, be dangerous when improperly used.
We agree with this analysis and conclude that the Michigan Legislature did not intend that chiropractors use any medicine given internally or externally for the treatment of disease or other human ailment.
The trial court believed that this holding was “unchanged” by the new Public Health Code which added the words “nutritional advice.”14 The Court of Appeals in a split decision held that the inclusion of the provision on nutritional advice does not address the use of vitamins and food supplements and, like the trial court, relied on the rationale of Recorder‘s Court Judge.
Noting the unique relationship between a health-care provider and the patient, it took “judicial notice of the potential danger involved” when
Judge DANHOF dissented on this issue and would have held the dispensation of this supplement to be within chiropractic. He noted the unregulated status of this substance and that under the new Health Code, including nutritional advice is included under the scope of chiropractic.
Appellee contends that the legislative exclusion from chiropractic of the dispensing or prescribing of drugs or medicine covers the appellant‘s action here. He cites
(4)(a) A substance recognized or for which the standards or specifications are prescribed in the official compendium.
(b) A substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in human beings or other animals.
Because Dr. Beno prescribed Nuclix to help strengthen the back ligaments, appellee contends the substance was intended for the “cure, mitigation, [and] treatment” of a disease and therefore is a drug under the act.
The appellee also cites the prevailing authority which strictly construes similar statutes, see Norville v Mississippi, 364 So 2d 1084 (1978), and Stockwell v Washington State Chiropractic Disciplinary Bd, 28 Wash App 295; 622 P2d 910 (1981).
Appellee explains away the inclusion of nutritional advice by concluding that it only refers to the recommending of foods and vitamins for a well-balanced diet and that there is a difference between recommending nutrition and prescribing substances to cure a particular ailment.
We cannot so lightly dismiss the effect of the
IV
CONCLUSION
We concur with the findings of the Court of Appeals to the effect that the diagnosis and x-ray of the elbow, the giving of a physical examination, including the taking of hair and urine samples, the use of galvanic current, diathermy, and ultrasound devices for therapeutic purposes, and the execution of an employment health document are outside the scope of chiropractic.
We do not concur with the Court of Appeals majority on the question of the dispensing of the vitamin Nuclix; rather, we find that practice to be within the “nutritional advice” aspect of chiropractic, when, as here, a non-drug and non-medi
We decline to rule on the applicability of the statute to the use of galvanic current for diagnostic purposes, and also decline to interpret the application of the “invasive procedures” clause to that device without a more fully developed record on that issue.
Finally, we conclude that engaging in practices outside of the scope of chiropractic does not, on that fact alone, make those practices enjoinable. For that reason, we remand the case to the trial court to afford the plaintiff the opportunity to establish that those practices engaged in by the defendant that we find to be outside the scope of chiropractic or that may upon further finding be determined to be outside the scope of chiropractic are within the practice of medicine and therefore enjoinable as an unlicensed practice of that discipline. This remand will also include the need for further findings in regard to the use of galvanic current for diagnostic purposes.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed to the extent that it is inconsistent herewith, and the permanent injunction of the circuit court is continued for thirty days to allow the plaintiff to seek a temporary injunction pending the determination of those matters remanded to the circuit court.
We do not retain jurisdiction.
LEVIN, RYAN, CAVANAGH, and BOYLE, JJ., concurred with BRICKLEY, J.
WILLIAMS, C.J. (concurring). While I concur generally with my brother BRICKLEY‘S opinion, I write separately to stress that our holding today does not limit the practice of chiropractic solely to
It is my understanding of the Michigan philosophy with respect to the practice of the healing arts that there is room for health-care professionals with a wide range of skills and doctrines to coexist so long as they do not infringe upon the exclusive statutory authority of any other group or indulge in practices the Legislature has prohibited because experience has indicated such practices are not in the interests of health or the public.
That some of the healing arts are limited to some professionals is a matter exquisitely within the jurisdiction of the Legislature. As the practice of the healing arts in Michigan reveals, the Legislature has moved with the progress of science and learning and with the progress in the qualifications of the various professional groups to expand or limit the areas of practice as appropriate. The only function of the courts in this area is to interpret and declare the legislative will.
RILEY, J., took no part in the decision of this case.
Notes
“It is hereby ordered that Defendant, his agents and employees, unless such persons are licensed to practice medicine, shall be and hereby are permanently enjoined from:
“A. Diagnosing or attempting to diagnose other than spinal subluxations or misalignments which produce nerve interference;
“B. Performing a physical examination which includes eyes, ears, nose, throat, lungs or abdomen, or employing blood pressure, pulse, urine sample, tongue depressor or stethoscope in the course of said examination;
“C. Executing a pre-employment physical record without identifying himself as a chiropractor or D.C., or certifying or attempting to certify the general condition of anything other than the spinal column;
“D. Treating or attempting to treat, or x-raying or attempting to x-ray an elbow;
“E. Obtaining, attempting to obtain, or analyzing urine samples or conducting hair analysis;
“F. Selling, dispensing or prescribing vitamins to a patient;
“G. Utilizing galvanic current, ultrasound or diathermy for the diagnosis or treatment of a patient.”
“In many instances, we have to look at the body as a whole in order to analyze any given condition to treat locally, to treat very specifically in one area and treat a subluxation, to me, is not getting to the underlying cause of the patient‘s problem and to me, we must look wholistically, at the entire body. We must look at the structure. We must analyze the feet, they are the original foundation of the spine, neurologically, things can happen to the feet which can produce neurological reflex of pain like a reverberation of pain all the way up to the lower back area and to me, if I‘m not allowed to work on an area such as the feet, the neurological reflex arc area can never be corrected and thereby maybe never stabilizing not stabilize out the low back situation. Maybe this sounds—I know I know what I‘m talking about here and maybe you don‘t understand what I‘m saying, it‘s extremely important to analyze any situation and if there‘s a knee problem, I like to know why the knee problem would be there. If it‘s there because of arthritis or spurs or cartilage problems, orthopedic tests, x-ray examination could be a displacement due to the various injuries that should be corrected along with the low back in order to just get the entire situation stabilized on a more permanent basis. We can talk about relief or we can talk stabilization. If a patient just wants relief, you can go ahead and replace the vertebrae. If it‘s subluxated, test and see if there‘s nerve interference, but what about stabilization? I don‘t understand many times why you have to, you know, once it‘s stabilized and corrected and these are the goals and plans I work with my patients is to try to stabilize their condition, looking at the body as a whole, analyzing from tip to toe, as to why that problem could be there; analyzing posture, analyzing muscles and analyzing other structures, that‘s the only way it should be done, to be done correctly and I think that‘s a new approach coming into being and within the next twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) years, you‘re going to see this approach take hold and you‘re going to see the doctors . . . of chiropractic that use this method . . . are going to be doctors that patients will go to, to get their ailments taken care of and stabilized, rather than running here or there to try and get relief from some various forms . . . .”
“Q. You indicated you were familiar with a galvanic stimulator, is that correct?
“A. Yes.
“Q. What is that machine?
“A. The machines that we have that we call galvanic stimulators are an electrical generator that generate either at DC voltage potential or AC voltage potential or both and the application is through again, wands or wetted sponge pads.
“Q. What does a wetted sponge pad look like?
“A. Anywhere from two inches square to four inches square is common, and it‘s set in a rubber holder and the wire from the machine contacts a metal plated holder and contacts the back of the sponge.
“Q. When applied to the body, what happens?
“A. Electric currents are caused to flow, since you‘re introducing the patient as a path for the electricity. The current—that‘s it.
“Q. Currents will flow?
“A. Yes.
“Q. Through the body?
“A. All over.
“Q. How does that happen? Is the body a conductor? What is the principle?
“A. You can view the body as one large bag of saline, salt water, and it being such, it‘s very useful for propagating electricity. Your heart will generate an electrical signal. These electrical signals are found on all parts of the body on the outside of the body. The converse itself is also true if you produce a signal on the outside of the body, it will be found within the body.
“Q. Is it true whether you use the wand or the pads?
“A. Yes, any time you cause a current to flow.”
“an order for drugs or devices written and signed or transmitted by other means of communication by a prescriber to be filled, compounded, or dispensed. Prescribing shall be limited to a prescriber.”
While it is unnecessary for our purposes in the instant case to define a prescriber or a prescription, we think it is questionable whether Dr. Beno was “prescribing” when he sold Nuclix to the investigator-patient.
“[N]othing herein shall be construed to prohibit the rendering of dietary advice.”
In Stockwell v Washington State Chiropractic Disciplinary Bd, 28 Wash App 295, 300; 622 P2d 910 (1981), the Washington Court of Appeals upheld as not inconsistent with that amendment an administrative regulation that prohibited the “selling or dispensing vitamins and food supplements.”