The ICCN is now offering credentialing support for chiropractors board certified by the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) also known by its newer name the Academy of Integrative Pain Management (AIPM). The AAPM/AIPM went bankrupt in January 2019 leaving all members hanging. Some AAPM members had recently paid their fees and provided credentialing CE hours only to see it all evaporate.

The bankruptcy of the AAPM was blamed on declining membership, loss of revenue support from pharmaceutical companies and a reduction in conference revenue. However, it was also was tied to opioid lawsuits that were filed that taxed academy resources.

DAAPM MDs and nurses had a opportunity to join pain management organizations in their respective healthcare discipline but the chiropractors did not have a place to go. The Board of the ICCN decided to give our pain management brothers and sisters a hand and have formed a Pain Management (PM) committee functioning under the authority of the ICCN Board. The PM committee will support the pain management chiropractors board certified by the AAPM who wish for us to maintain their credentials.

The ICCN will recognize the DAAPM credential by endorsement. If we are legally blocked from supporting that credential, we are prepared to provide our own credential – the Diplomate of the International College of Pain Management (DICPM). However, since the AAPM is out of business, has no assets and no staff, we don’t believe there will be any reason why we cannot support the DAAPM credential. Similarly, we currently support the defunct American Chiropractic Academy of Neurology (DACAN) credential for some of our neurology diplomates.

There is no intention at present to provide a credential in pain management to non board certified chiropractors, but that remains a possibility. We are going slow at present, and take this step to support our credentialed PM brothers and sisters.

Neurologists boarded by the AAPM should contact the ICCN office if they are interested in maintaining their PM credential. If you know someone board certified by the AAPM, please let them know about this opportunity.