West Virginia Code Chapter 30. Professions and Occupations § 30-16-3. Definitions

(1) “Board” means the West Virginia board of chiropractic;

(2) “Chiropractor” means a practitioner of chiropractic;

(3) “Chiropractic services” means those health care services provided within the scope of chiropractic practice as defined by this article and by chiropractors licensed by the board;

(4) “Chiropractic” is the science and art which utilizes the inherent recuperative powers of the body and the relationship between the neuromusculoskeletal structures and functions of the body, particularly of the spinal column and the nervous system, in the restoration and maintenance of health. The use of the designation doctor of chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic physician or D.C., is the practice of chiropractic.

The practice of chiropractic also includes the examination and assessment of members of the public that are not patients of the examining chiropractor. Further, the practice of chiropractic includes the review of information relating to the duration and necessity of chiropractic care that affects the course of care, the treatment plan or payment and reimbursement concerning chiropractic patients residing within the state of West Virginia.

The practices and procedures which may be employed by doctors of chiropractic are based on the academic and clinical training received in and through chiropractic colleges accredited by the council of chiropractic education or its successors and as determined by the board. These include the use of diagnostic, analytical and therapeutic procedures specifically including the adjustment and manipulation of the articulations and adjacent tissues of the human body, particularly of the spinal column, including the treatment of intersegmental disorders. Patient care and management is conducted with due regard for environmental and nutritional factors, as well as first aid, hygiene, sanitation, rehabilitation and physiological therapeutic procedures designed to assist in the restoration and maintenance of neurological integrity and homeostatic balance;

(5) “Spinal manipulation” and “spinal adjustment” are interchangeable terms that identify a method of skillful and beneficial treatment where a person uses direct thrust or leverage to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion, but without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity.