Chiropractic’s life-changing touch in poor communities
A medical mission recently showed yet again the transformative power of chiropractic care, particularly for marginalized populations. Stories of profound relief and improved well-being emerged, highlighting the mission’s core purpose: to provide access to life-changing health care for those who need it most.
These anecdotes underscore the potential of chiropractic care to address interconnected health issues beyond musculoskeletal pain. An impressive example involved a girl who sought relief from back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Following a chiropractic adjustment, she experienced unexpected improvements in her hearing and vision, finding her eyeglasses suddenly unnecessary. A pregnant woman suffered from severe back pain and sciatica. Unable to rely on conventional painkillers, she experienced immediate and lasting relief after a single adjustment, leading to a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
An elderly man, previously unable to raise his arms, regained full mobility after a single chiropractic adjustment. A woman’s chronic back pain, stemming from prolonged sitting, was significantly alleviated. A grandmother, freed from the constraints of a frozen shoulder, was taught rehabilitation exercises using an umbrella to enhance her upper body movement. Perhaps most poignant was the elderly woman, burdened by her family’s inability to afford health care, who wept tears of joy after receiving a complimentary adjustment.
Affordable education
This impactful medical mission was a collaborative effort between Intercare Healthcare Centers, its corporate social responsibility foundation Hands for Vitality, and the Camara Institute of Chiropractic Science (CICS).
Dr. Martin Camara, Intercare’s CEO, and director of clinics and CICS president, highlights the pressing need for such initiatives. He points out that approximately one-third of the global population grapples with musculoskeletal issues.
“In the Philippines, where the workforce is largely comprised of manual laborers and daily wage earners, these problems extend beyond mere inconvenience or discomfort,” Dr. Camara explains. “They result in a loss of the ability to provide for themselves and their families. Given the limited number of chiropractic and rehabilitation professionals, we decided to tackle these challenges through a local training program and strategic partnerships focused on education and community service.”
Intercare traditionally serves a high-end market, while its foundation and CICS aim to make care accessible to the general population. The medical missions are central to CICS’s vision of replicating the success of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) outreach program.
The program aims to deliver health care and education to underserved communities while simultaneously providing interns with valuable hands-on experience and leveraging their knowledge to improve the well-being of Filipinos. This dual focus underscores a strong commitment to both professional growth and social responsibility.
This newly established school boasts a faculty of international experts from prestigious universities in Puerto Rico, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These professors have contributed to the development of the institute’s curriculum, while local doctors provide hands-on clinical training and supervision.
Currently, CICS offers a chiropractic specialization program designed for medical doctors, physical therapists, and nurses. The institute is also in the process of applying for a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology program in partnership with Far Eastern University Manila, which will lead to a Master’s in Chiropractic Sciences. This collaboration aims to provide affordable chiropractic education, with tuition costs a fraction of those in the United States.
Sustained relief
Hands for Vitality (Kamay para sa Kasiglahan) facilitates clinical immersion for students and partners with international institutions such as the International Medical University (IMU) in Malaysia and the University of Quebec, Trois-Rivières (UQTR). These partnerships bring in interns and supervisors, bolstering the mission’s manpower and expanding its reach.
The medical missions are conducted in collaboration with local government units and organizations such as the Bukas Centers, primary care centers designed to decongest government hospitals. These missions also take place in various venues, from community health centers and basketball courts to stadiums and function rooms.
The foundation provides essential equipment, including chiropractic beds, while the local government units handle logistics and coordination within their communities.
The impact of these missions is substantial. In Antipolo and Camarines Sur, over 400 patients were treated in a single day. In Antipolo and Pasig, the demand for care was so high that 200 patients from both cities had to be turned away. The overwhelming response underscores the pressing need for accessible chiropractic services.
Regarding the challenge of ensuring sustained relief, Camara recognizes the necessity of consistent access to care. To address this, plans are underway to establish a year-round teaching research clinic. This clinic will offer regular chiropractic care for a minimal fee, allowing CICS students to develop their clinical skills with the guidance of experienced chiropractors.
In the meantime, current medical missions integrate physical therapy instruction, equipping patients with exercises to maintain their well-being. Furthermore, handouts and educational materials are distributed to reinforce these beneficial practices.
The mission’s reach is expanding rapidly. Having treated 4,500 patients in two cycles last year, the first of three cycles in 2025 has already served nearly 2,400 individuals in 10 communities. The goal is to reach hundreds of thousands, and eventually millions, of people in need.
