2010 Tennessee Code
Title 63 - Professions Of The Healing Arts
Chapter 4 - Chiropractors
63-4-101 - “Chiropractic” and “Chiropractic physician” defined Education and clinical training Scope of practice.

63-4-101. “Chiropractic” and “Chiropractic physician” defined Education and clinical training Scope of practice.

(a)  The term “chiropractic” where used in this chapter is defined as the science and art of locating and removing interference with nerve transmission and nerve function. A chiropractic physician diagnoses and treats neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions through physical agent modalities and manipulative therapies. The adjustment, manipulation, or treatment shall be directed toward restoring and maintaining the normal neuromuscular and musculoskeletal function and health of the patient. A chiropractic physician will also make appropriate health referrals for conditions that may not be treated by physical agent modalities and manipulative therapies. Patient care shall be conducted with due regard for nutrition, environment, hygiene, sanitation, and rehabilitation designed to assist in the restoration and maintenance of the patient's health. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the chiropractic physician to practice any branch of medicine, osteopathy as defined in chapters 6 and 9 of this title, or surgery, including venipuncture or the prescribing of medication, acupuncture being the exception.

(b)  As used in this chapter, “chiropractic physician” means a graduate of an accredited chiropractic college authorized to confer upon graduates the degree of doctor of chiropractic (D.C.), who is duly licensed in this state.

(c)  (1)  No person licensed under this title may perform a spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment without first having the legal authority to differentially diagnose, and having received a minimum of four hundred (400) hours of classroom instruction in spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment, and a minimum of eight hundred (800) hours of supervised clinical training at a facility where spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment is a primary method of treatment. “Spinal manipulation” and “spinal adjustment” are interchangeable terms that identify a method of skillful and beneficial treatment where a person uses direct thrust to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion, but without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity. A violation of this section is an unlawful practice of chiropractic and is grounds for the offending health care provider's licensing board to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew such provider's license or take other disciplinary action allowed by law.

     (2)  Nothing in this subsection (c) shall in any way apply to the scope of practice of:

          (A)  An osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 9 of this title; or

          (B)  Any person who practices medicine or surgery who is licensed under chapter 6 of this title.

[Acts 1923, ch. 9, § 5; Shan. Supp., § 3654a120; Code 1932, § 7013; Acts 1941, ch. 29, § 2; C. Supp. 1950, § 7013; Acts 1980, ch. 673, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 63-401; Acts 1999, ch. 323, § 1; 2003, ch. 166, § 1; 2006, ch. 775, § 1.]