Chiropractic is a profession based in vitalism and centered on vertebral subluxation. Questions as to the philosophical and scientific nature of the subluxation takes center stage at ShermanCollege October 20-21, 2012, for the ninth annual International Research and Philosophy Symposium (IRAPS). The Conference will be held onSherman’s campus inSpartanburg,South Carolina.

Abstracts will be accepted through June 8th.

Theme

Suggested topics include the following:

1. Language/lexicon/terminology

     a. What are the roots?

     b. Advantages and disadvantages of being distinct

     c. Advantages and disadvantages of being alike

2. Five signs of life

     a. What are they?

     b. Does correction of the subluxation affect these signs?

3. Politics

     a. A place for vertebral subluxation (VS)-centered chiropractic in health care

     b. The future of VS-centered care

     c. Can we move away from the VS and maintain ourselves as a separate and distinct profession?

     d. Is there sufficient evidence to say that: a) VS is real and b) people are better off without VS?

     e. Is VS a hindrance to professional growth, or a necessity?

4. Research agenda

     a. Outcomes

     b. Reliability

     c. Status of VS research. Where are we today? What, if any, change is necessary?

5. Analysis/Adjusting technique

     a. Components of the vertebral subluxation...can they be scientifically researched?

     b. Methods determining the presence of the VS in a clinical setting

6. Education

     a. Attitudes of faculty and administrators of chiropractic schools regarding VS

     b. History of strife over the VS within the profession

     c. VS as a public awareness issue

Other related topics will also be considered.

Submission Requirements

Abstracts should be limited to approximately 300 words and submitted electronically. Also submit a current vita showing educational and other scholarly accomplishments.). Each double-spaced abstract should include:

Author’s name and email, including your address, phone and fax numbers.

Introduction – introduce the topic; discuss and reference numerically in your reference list, previous pertinent research in the literature;           state the purpose of your current topic

Methods – how you gathered your information

Discussion – interpret your findings and indicate how they might relate to previous findings in the literature. Identify limitations to your findings

Conclusion – identify your take home message and the direction future research could take regarding your topic

Reference list – use the numeric system

Presentation

If your submission is accepted, you will be allocated time for presentation during the weekend of October 20-21, 2012. During this time, the presenter should relate relevant information culminating in an interpretation and will be given a brief time allocated for questions.

Notification

Those submitting will be notified in July whether their abstracts have been accepted for IRAPS.

Please email your abstracts to: Continuing Education Department Sherman College of Chiropractic P.O. Box 1452 / Spartanburg, SC 29304 (800) 849-8771 or (864) 578-8770, ext. 229 E-mail: aashcraft@sherman.edu Please visit our web site at www.sherman.edu/iraps.