(a) For purposes of this chapter:

(1) “Board” means the State Board of Chiropractic.

(2) “Chiropractic” means a system of health care based on the principle that interference with the transmission of nerve impulses may cause pain or disease.

(3) “Chiropractic supportive care” means continuous, interval-based treatment that is medically necessary for patients diagnosed with chronic pain or disease, which maintains function or prevents or slows deterioration. “Chiropractic supportive care” includes treatment for patients who must resume care because the patient’s chronic pain or disease regresses or worsens after the withdrawal of treatment.

(4) “Chiropractor” or “doctor of chiropractic” or “chiropractic physician” means an individual licensed to practice chiropractic under this chapter.

(5) “Medically necessary” means providing health-care services or products that a prudent physician would provide to a patient for the purpose of diagnosing or treating an illness, injury, disease or its symptoms in a manner that is all of the following:

a. In accordance with generally-accepted standards of chiropractic practice.

b. Consistent with the symptoms or treatment of the condition.

c. Not solely for anyone’s convenience.

(6) “Physician” means an individual who possesses a valid State of Delaware license as either of the following:

a. A doctor of chiropractic.

b. A physician, under Chapter 17 of this title.

(7) “Protective hairstyle” includes braids, locks, and twists.

(8) “Race” includes traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and a protective hairstyle.

(9) “Substantially related” means the nature of criminal conduct, for which the person was convicted, has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform 1 or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the practice of chiropractic.

(b) The practice of chiropractic includes the use of recognized diagnostic and treatment methods, as taught by chiropractic colleges or approved by the Board, and includes all of the following:

(1) Diagnosing and locating misaligned, fixated, or displaced vertebrae, including subluxation complex and other neuromusculoskeletal and soft tissue structures, using x-rays and other diagnostic test procedures.

(2) Treatment, through manipulation or adjustment of the spine and other neuromusculoskeletal and soft tissue structures.

(3) Chiropractic supportive care.

(4) The use of adjunctive procedures not otherwise prohibited by this chapter.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the practice of chiropractic does not include the use of any of the following:

(1) Prescription medications.

(2) Surgery.

(3) Obstetrical or gynecological examinations or treatment.

(d) Chiropractors shall perform all examinations and procedures in accordance with the protocol and procedures as taught by chiropractic colleges or approved by the Board.

41 Del. Laws, c. 261, § ?8; 24 Del. C. 1953, § ?701; 70 Del. Laws, c. 514, § ?2; 80 Del. Laws, c. 80, § ?8; 82 Del. Laws, c. 261, §§ ?6, 16; 83 Del. Laws, c. 13, §§ ? 17, 18; 83 Del. Laws, c. 52, § 8; 83 Del. Laws, c. 433, § 7; 83 Del. Laws, c. 526, § 1;