The European Chiropractors’ Union (ECU) represents the national chiropractic associations of 22 European nations, promoting high standards of education and practice and supporting research. It advocates for the rights of European citizens to access safe chiropractic healthcare and also for the rights of suitably qualified chiropractors to provide that healthcare.
The objective of the ECU is to advance the development, improvement and recognition of evidence-based, people-centred, interprofessional and collaborative chiropractic in Europe. All those wishing to become a Member must support the objective of the ECU and complete an application for Membership which shall confirm the applicant’s support for the objective of the ECU and shall form the Member’s Agreement which is further elaborated in the Bylaws.
Undergraduate training
Chiropractors deliver specialised care for the assessment, treatment, management and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. They are highly trained in manual methods of care, including spinal manipulation. They are also skilled in the prescription of active care approaches, self-help advice and general health promotion. Their undergraduate training, quality controlled by accreditation provided by ECCE, the European arm of the Councils on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI) or the Council on Chiropractic Education USA (CCE USA), ensures that chiropractors are trained to the highest standards. The ECU requires that all chiropractors who are members of its National Association (NA) Members are graduates of ECCE-accredited educational institutions.
Regulation
Chiropractic is regulated in a number of European nations; in some countries it is a regular part of mainstream health care. It is ECU policy to work towards having the profession regulated in all ECU member nations.
The ECU is registered in the Netherlands and administered by a secretariat comprising a Secretary General and an Executive Administrator. A Governing Board is responsible for leading the Union on a strategic basis, including the development of proposals and policy. A General Council representing all ECU members is the ECU's ultimate decision-making body, delegating authority to the Board and Secretary General as it sees fit and ratifying and approving decisions, including the awarding of financial grants.