A 57-YEAR-OLD who allegedly caused paralysis to an elderly man who subsequently died was not a qualified chiropractor and was not registered with the Cyprus Chiropractic Association (CCA), it emerged yesterday.
The family of Apostolos Socratous, 70, are accusing the so-called chiropractor of paralysing their loved one and have pressed charges against him.
The heart failure that caused Socratous’ death was directly linked to the damage done to his spinal cord and nerves by the man, according to state pathologist Eleni Antoniou.
Socratous spent three months suffering in a private clinic and spent his last days in agony.
Antoniou said that damage to the nerves caused “necrosis of the digestive system, a serious pulmonary oedema and other problems congruous with quadriplegia.”
The 57-year-old falsely claimed to have diplomas from universities in China and Japan.
“He was not a chiropractor and had no qualifications whatsoever. His diplomas were fictitious,” said Dr. Efstathios Papadopoulos, President of the CCA.
The 1991 Chiropractor’s Registration Law states that chiropractors are obliged to register with both the Ministry of Health and the CCA in order to be allowed to practice. Chiropractors are also obliged to have a certificate of registration in full view of the patient.
Papadopoulos explained that to become a chiropractor involves obtaining a university degree. “This is usually 5 years at a university then two years practical work at the end of which you sit an exam.”
Papadopoulos said that the Ministry and the CCA are always on the lookout for fraudsters.
If they see a sign for a chiropractor or hear of someone claiming to be one who is not registered, they will report them to the police.
“The problem is that most people are smart about it, they don’t give you a card or put up a sign, so it’s hard to find them,” Papadopoulos said.
He stressed the fact that responsibility lies with the public, and that everyone must be cautious when selecting a chiropractor.
The CCA yesterday published a list with all registered chiropractors in Cyprus for the public’s benefit. It is available on the CCA website www.cypruschiropractic.org/
Papadopoulos said that another problem is that many people that want to work as chiropractors attend minor weekend courses, which however cannot provide someone with the skills and qualifications required to become a professional chiropractor. People that have only attended such courses do not have the right to practice.
The 57-year-old is not under arrest but police have taken statements from the deceased’s family and have forwarded the file to the Attorney-general who will decide whether to prosecute him.
