Communication on Topics Outside the Chiropractic Scope of Practice
Practice Directive 2017-01
Note to readers: In the event of any inconsistency between this document and the legislation
that affects chiropractic practice in Manitoba, the legislation governs.

Intent
To provide guidance to members when communicating on topics that is outside the scope of
practice for chiropractors in Manitoba. This Practice Directive pertains to all forms of
communication including verbal, print, social media, web domains, etc.
Communication Limitations
If you communicate on topics that are outside the chiropractic scope you must:
a) Advise the patient that the topic is outside the chiropractic scope of practice and that
the patient should consult with a health professional who has the act within his/her
scope of practice;
b) Not respond with advice, opinions, or recommendations on the topic. Members may
respond in a professional, accurate and balanced manner in the context of providing
primary healthcare to the patient which is consistent with the chiropractic scope of
practice; and
c) Encourage the patient to be an active participant in their own health and to make
fully informed decisions concerning their care.
Failure to Comply to Limitations
Members must take great care in considering what communications they might have with
patients. Failure to comply with this practice directive may result in the following:
a) Chiropractors may be liable for advice, opinions, recommendations or discussions
provided to patients/public (regardless of medium) in circumstances where it would
be reasonably foreseeable that the individual receiving or involved in the opinion,
discussion or recommendation would rely on it to make a personal health care
decision;
b) Liability would be difficult to avoid in situations where a professional was providing an
opinion or recommendation or having discussion outside the scope of his/her
practice;

Adopted December 2017

Manitoba Chiropractors Association

 c) Providing opinion, recommendations or having discussions on topics such as
vaccinations and immunization, use of pharmaceuticals or surgery, or anything else
that is considered outside of what is a reasonable clinical encounter for a
Chiropractor, could be found by a court to be out of scope of a chiropractor; and
d) Members need to be aware that they are subject to the complaints process if they fail
to comply to these limitations.
Manitoba Chiropractic Scope of Practice
All activities and services performed by chiropractors in Manitoba must relate to the chiropractic
scope of practice.
The Chiropractic Act of Manitoba defines the “practice of chiropractic” to mean:
a) Any professional service usually performed by a chiropractor, including the
examination and treatment, principally by hand and without the use of drugs or
surgery, of the spinal column, pelvis, and extremities and associated soft tissue; and
b) Such other services as may be approved by the regulations.
Legislative Context
In addition to the legislative provisions outlined above, members are reminded that the following
are acts of professional misconduct under Manitoba Regulations 66/86 Section 4(2):
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

“Failure by a member to abide by the terms, condition and limitation of his license;
Contravention of any provisions of the Act or the regulations;
Failure to maintain the standards for practice set out in the regulation;
Exceeding the lawful scope of practice as defined by the Act;
Conduct or an act relevant to the practice of chiropractic that, having regard to all the
circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful,
dishonorable or unprofessional”.

Adopted December 2017

Manitoba Chiropractors Association