I am Dr. Haifa Abouassi DC CAS. I graduated from LAU (Lebanese American University) year 2000 with a B.S in biology. I graduated from TCC (Texas Chiropractic College) Dec 2003 with honors (got WHO’s WHO in 2003) I  graduated from CCA (California College of Ayurveda) 2016 as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. Currently, I am a professional member at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. Also, I am a Member of the World Federation of Chiropractic. I have been practicing Chiropractic in Aley at Abouassi Medical Center since 2004. My father (deceased pediatrician) founded Abouassi Medical Center 40 years ago, currently, there are 30 medical doctors practicing in it.

In Lebanon, there were only 10 chiropractors. Currently, we are less than that due to the current economic situation that is deteriorating drastically.
20 years ago a chiropractor and my father were trying to pass a chiropractic law. The health committee in the Lebanese parliament insisted on referral from a medical practitioner as well as prohibiting the use of the title Doctor.
This was unjust, and we knew that in case it was approved it would have been very hard to change it. Chiropractors were practicing in the absence of any form of recognition. Chiropractors were leaving the country; practitioners from different professions were claiming to be chiropractors. In 2015, I made a decision due to the fact that I was really concerned about the existence of the profession in Lebanon, to go ahead and start the fight.  It looked impossible at the time; the physical therapy association and the medical association did not want us to get legislated.  Despite these hurdles, a small group of chiropractors and their ardent supporters and enthusiasts never gave up. We continued lobbing and fighting until the law was finally passed without any specific limitations. I am extremely proud and overjoyed to be surrounded by hard-working and dedicated colleagues who labored tirelessly to bring the skill, care, effectiveness, and benefit of this unique profession to the people of our country. May14th 2020 we were officially legislated. Practicing is restricted to Lebanese citizens who have undertaken a certain program of education and passed an examination, conducted by the ministry of education in Lebanon. The act makes specific reference to the evaluation, analysis, and examination of biomechanical defects of the joints (which it defines as subluxation) in order to establish and perform the necessary treatment for correction (without referral). It further refers to the prescription of exercise and therapeutic advice related to the spine.  And yes we do have the right to our title!! Drug prescription and performance of surgery are prohibited in the Act and compliance with public health regulations regarding clinical facilities is described. There are certain steps that a law needs to pass through in order for it to be implemented.  The normal procedure started at the parliament then the health ministry to be signed by the health minister. Then comes the ministry of finance, followed by some routine paperwork. Then we will be able to form our syndicate.  Our government has resigned 6 months ago, with that at hand our paperwork cannot proceed forward. At the moment we are waiting for the government to be formed. Then it is a matter of time to establish our syndicate.

Our future plan is:
Incorporating chiropractic in hospitals
Incorporating chiropractic in our national teams (leagues) 
Incorporating chiropractic in the army force
Incorporation in insurance plans 
We are planning to teach chiropractic in Lebanon. 

Spreading awareness about chiropractic care, 
Thank you.
Haifa

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