Are Chiropractic Assistants permitted to advise patients to use ice on a painful area?

Chiropractic Assistants are generally not permitted to provide medical advice, including advising patients on the use of ice for pain relief. Their role focuses on supportive tasks and they are typically not authorized to make medical recommendations or decisions. This restriction is designed to protect patients and ensure that advice regarding treatment is provided only by licensed practitioners who have the appropriate training and knowledge of a patient's specific medical conditions.

Providing advice on pain management techniques, such as the application of ice, typically falls within the scope of practice of licensed chiropractors or other medical professionals. As paraprofessionals, Chiropractic Assistants do not have the training or legal authority to give this type of guidance independently. Therefore, they're expected to relay information and instructions provided by a licensed chiropractor rather than offering their own advice.