A recent survey of DCs regarding cannabidiol (CBD) / hemp oil provides food for thought as to the viability of CBD-based products as a component of chiropractic patient care. Here are some observations from the executive summary of the survey:
Almost one in four DCs have used a CBD / hemp oil topical product for self-care and report it worked great. Another 10 percent have used such a product and believe it worked as well as a non-CBD topical. Almost 40 percent have not tried a CBD / hemp oil topical yet, but expect to do so.
Nearly a quarter (23 percent) currently use or offer CBD / hemp oil topicals to their patients. More than half are considering offering topical products (56 percent) and sublingual / ingestible products (58 percent).
Almost 60 percent of respondents believe "CBD / hemp oil has health benefits beyond topical pain relief," (34 percent "very true," 26 percent "somewhat true"). When asked what they use or would use CBD / hemp oil sublingual / ingestible products for, inflammation (72 percent), anxiety (61 percent), insomnia (47 percent), PTSD (46 percent) and immune / autoimmune issues (35 percent) were the top choices.
Most DCs believe CBD / hemp oil products have health benefits beyond topical pain relief (59 percent) and are the latest advance in addressing topical pain (57 percent). Only 20 percent believe they are a fad.
Source: MPA Media / DC CBD / Hemp Oil Survey. Completed May 1, 2018.
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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Southern California University of Health Sciences has entered into an agreement with Pacific College of Health and Science whereby PCHS’ San Diego and Chicago campuses – including students, faculty, staff, and academic programs – will join SCU effective May 2026, pending regulatory approval. Founded in 1986 as Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, PCHS is not only the largest acupuncture / herbal medicine school in the U.S., but also offers integrative health curriculum in holistic nursing and massage therapy.
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