Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation Executive Director Joins ASRF Advisory Panel

The Executive Director of the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Christie Kwon DC, MS has accepted an invitation to join the Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP) of the Australian Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF).

Representing the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Dr. Kwon was involved in recent efforts last year by the ASRF to revise their research agenda to embrace vertebral subluxation in a vitalistic paradigm. The ASRF also developed a definition of vertebral subluxation to inform its research focus.

Much of the revised ASRF agenda now mirrors the research agenda of the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation which completed theirs in 2013.

Prior to the ASRF revision, conference calls and in person meetings were held with FVS representatives including Dr. Kwon and Dr. Christopher Kent.

"The FVS is thrilled that the ASRF embraced and adopted the bulk of what we had developed" stated Dr. Kent, who is the President of the FVS and a Professor and the Director of Evidence Informed Practice at Sherman College of Chiropractic.

While the ASRF was revising their agenda, the Rubicon Group was also holding meetings to develop a definition of vertebral subluxation. Drs Kwon and Kent also participated in those discussions. The Rubicon definition was rejected by a number of organizations including the FVS and the International Federation of Chiropractors and Organizations (IFCO) as being flawed and representing a very limited model of "joint dysfunction" focused on stuck joints and their manipulation anywhere in the body.

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According to the ASRF, their Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP) is one of the most critical aspects of their research process as it keeps research relevant and focused on the chiropractic paradigm.

The panel is part of the process that creates the intersection of philosophy with science. The job of the CAP members is to review grant applications and assess them for their relevance to ASRF priorities and make suggestions to improve their relevancy to chiropractic and practicing chiropractors. Clinical Advisory Panel members provide their service in an honorary capacity.

"I am glad the FVS could help the ASRF in the development of a more subluxation focused agenda and since Dr. Kwon has such a clear understanding of the issues as well as a track record of past and current research, she will be a valuable asset to the CAP" remarked Matthew McCoy DC, MPH Vice President of the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation.

Dr. Kwon's research interests involve subluxation-centered chiropractic related to health outcomes in pregnant women and children, epidemiology, advanced imaging and biomarkers related to vertebral subluxation.

In addition to her role as the Executive Director of the FVS, Dr. Kwon also serves on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and works with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) on research projects. She is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences in the College of Chiropractic at Life University.