The state of "Quiropractica en Costa Rica"
When I first moved to Costa Rica in 2000, there were about 20 chiropractors in Costa Rica (‘quiropracticas en costa rica’). They were mostly in San Jose or nearby, in the Central Valley. A few established themselves in the less populated areas on the Pacific Coast, or in the bigger cities that served the small coastal towns.
Back then the great tourist towns of Jaco, Tamarindo and Quepos were all still pretty sleepy and laid-back. So, when I took over a small practice in the fishing and port town of Puntarenas it seemed unlikely that it would grow into the thriving center that it did.
But the people of Costa Rica embraced chiropractic and wherever a chiropractor set up, there was an eager population — tired of the old, ineffective medical methods of pain relief — lining up at their door. Applied well, the concepts of restoration of proper movement and biomechanical stability work to make remarkable changes in chiropractic patients’ pain and physical capabilities. Since results are the best marketing, word spread to neighborhoods and towns where chiropractic had not yet reached.
Back then, there was no regulation of the chiropractic profession, and anyone who wished to be known as a ‘quiropractico’ was able to advertise as such. Local masseurs, traditional healers, and even a few reject US-trained chiros looking to escape a shady past, showed up and put up a sign. The wild-west of quiropractica en Costa Rica was definitely wild.
The wild-west of Quiropractica en Costa Rica was... wild!
It became very clear that a national board (‘colegio’) had to be formed by law and that the practice of ‘quiropractica en Costa Rica’ would be regulated. The University of Costa Rica helped to establish the standards and with legitimate chiropractic degrees and residency, a small group of chiropractors formed the first ‘Colegio de Profesionales en Quiropractica de Costa Rica’. With the exclusive right to permit the practice of chiropractic in Costa Rica, all chiropractors had to prove their qualifications, educational background, and clear legal history to the ‘colegio’. Practitioners with a shady history of malpractice or legal trouble would be kept out and the quality of chiropractic care in Costa Rica would be greatly enhanced.
I was very surprised to see that none of the chiropractors in Guanacaste chose to legally enter the 'colegio'.
Upon my return to Costa Rica last year I was very surprised to see that none of the chiropractors in Guanacaste chose to legally enter the ‘colegio’. Really, at first, I didn’t think too much of it. From what I heard there were some doing good work and treating people well. But I believe it is important to make good referral relationships with other medical providers, to occasionally send out for diagnostic tests and imaging. This is an integral part of modern chiropractic care and is unavailable to chiropractors in Costa Rica who practice illegally. After reviewing some patient cases, it became clear to me that it is not okay to practice illegally.
I am a naturalized Costa Rican citizen, and I believe it is my responsibility to contribute to my community in a way that promotes progress, advances legitimate processes, and eliminates the drain on the public good. Costa Ricans want to rise up from a history filled with corruption, bribery, and illicit business practices. When possible, I want to be a force in that direction. This is why I have joined the ‘quiropracticos de Costa Rica’ and I am still the only legally practicing chiropractor in Guanacaste.