Scope of Practice
The statutory boundary
Maine defines chiropractic around the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations and the treatment of related neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The scope is not a general medical license. It includes history and examination, chiropractic adjustive techniques, and ancillary procedures that the Board recognizes, such as thermal, electrical, mechanical, and exercise modalities, plus diagnostic imaging when ordered appropriately.
What is in and out
- In: spinal and extremity manipulation, soft-tissue work, patient education, ergonomic advice, and co-management with physicians.
- Out: surgery, prescription drugs, obstetrics, and treatment of organic disease by chiropractic methods alone.
- Referral is required when findings exceed the chiropractor's scope or competence.
- Delegation of an adjustment to an unlicensed assistant is prohibited.
Worked example
A patient presents with elevated blood pressure and asks for a spinal adjustment to cure hypertension. The chiropractor may examine, adjust for neuromusculoskeletal complaints, and advise follow-up with a physician, but may not represent adjustment as treatment for hypertension. The record should document the referral and the limited chiropractic diagnosis.
Traps
Equating wellness with authority to treat any condition; assuming x-ray ordering is unlimited; performing internal procedures; failing to refer red flags such as progressive neurologic deficit; letting an assistant perform a manual adjustment. The Board may discipline both overreach and abandonment.