How is excessive treatment defined in the context of chiropractic practice?

In the context of chiropractic practice, excessive treatment is defined by community standards, which means that the evaluation of what constitutes excessive care is informed by the collective practices and norms established by local chiropractors. This approach recognizes that the treatment received by a patient should align with what is commonly accepted and practiced within that specific community, ensuring that care remains appropriate, effective, and justifiable based on prevailing local clinical guidelines.

This definition helps maintain a standard of care that protects patients from over-treatment, which could lead to unnecessary expenses or potential harm. Each community may have unique factors, such as patient demographics and prevalent health conditions, that shape its standards for treatment frequency and duration. By relying on the community's established expectations, practitioners ensure that they are adhering to a level of care that is deemed reasonable and prudent by their peers.

National chiropractic standards provide a broader framework for practice but may not account for local variables and nuances in patient populations. Relying solely on individual judgment can lead to inconsistencies in treatment approaches, while personal experiences of patients can vary widely and may not provide an objective measure of necessary care.