France Chiropractors on the Côte a Trois-Rivières. Having matriculated from the program in 1999, she moved to France, where she worked, on a tem- porary visa, for four months. In 2001, Dr. Rodrigue, settled in France with her new husband, achieved her resident sta- tus and began working in Dinard, near Saint-Malo on the Côte d’Emeraude (Emerald Coast) in Brittany. Dr. Rodrigue runs a very busy practice, in partnership with a gradu- ate from Palmer College in the United States. “Very busy” is defined some- what differently, however, in their area, than it might be in many practices in Canada. “We see two patients an hour,” says D r. Sonia Rodrigue is a gradu- ate of the chiropractic program at the Université du Québec Dr. Sonia Rodrigue Rodrigue, “because our method of evaluating and treating each patient is very thorough and takes a long time. But the day goes quickly as we are seeing patients all day.” “Summers are particularly busy,” adds Rodrigue. “Our town hosts many vacationing families who come from Paris and elsewhere. Likewise, in our practice, we actually have entire families of patients who come back, year after year, for chiropractic adjustments throughout the summers.” PRACTICE AND COMMUNITY NETWORKS Dr. Rodrigue’s clinic is networked with other practitioners in her town. These networks involve midwives, acupuncturists and some kinesiology specialists. Both Rodrigue and her partner are International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) certified chiropractors – hence their association with midwives, who refer patients from hospitals as well as from private practice. Associating with practitioners of acupuncture is valuable for many reasons, including the fact that they can issue X-ray requisitions to patients, whereas chiropractors, in France, have limited privileges in this area. Given the limitations on chiropractors in France with respect to radiological assess- ments, and the fact that they are not permitted to use any sort of electrotherapy device, Rodrigue’s practice is based on a hands-on manipulation paradigm. Dr. Rodrigue does not conduct screenings or public education seminars, per se – as this is not something the community is particularly open to. However, a few years ago, Rodrigue and her partner, along with other local chiropractors, received permission to set up a booth at an annual running marathon event, in order to educate the athletes, and any others present, about chiropractic. The booth still functions, every year, at this event but is now staffed by students, from France’s chiropractic training college, who come into town for the event. “Also, there are other chiropractors in France who are affi liated with teams of various sporting events,” she notes. CHIROPRACTIC IN FRANCE The profession of chiropractic was recognized by the French government in March of 2002 and there are currently 490 chiropractors practising in that country. These DCs are awaiting 14 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JULY/ AUGUST 2008 Continued on Page 19 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor July-Aug 08: Page 14
