Texas Chiropractic Association News Newswire

Member Spotlight: Mark Murdock

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Mark Murdock is a sales and business growth consultant for TCA Bronze Partner Aspen Live Well. Mark has been at the center and forefront of the health, wellness, and recovery industry since 2010. Mark’s first career was as a college basketball coach, where he enjoyed success at the NCAA and junior college levels for 17 years. He also founded and operated a non-profit ministry that operated in five different countries. Mark received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Eastern New Mexico University.

Among Mark’s accomplishments are managing partner of a startup named to the Inc. 5000 as we well as serving as a consultant with two other companies on the Inc. 5000. He was worked with more than 700 clients in the health and wellness industry, including 16 NBA teams, Nike The Oregon Project, The UFC Performance Institute, the Dallas Cowboys, and numerous NFL, MLB, NHL, NCAA Division I teams, USA Track and Field, USA Triathlon, CrossFit affiliates, and numerous individual athletes. He has made guest appearances on Discovery Channel, Dr. OZ Show, Live with Kelly & Michael, Live with Kelly & Ryan, Tony Robbins podcast, Laila Ali podcast, and Good Morning Texas. Mark also has twice spoken at National Defense University and the Pentagon on military preparedness and recovery, and he was instrumental in mainstreaming the cryotherapy and red light technologies in the wellness industry.

Q-and-A

Why have you and Aspen Live Well continued to be a TCA Partner and district sponsor over the years?
Chiropractors understand medicine that heals more than any other medical profession. They are at the tip of the spear as healers and the return to medicine that works instead of medicine that just deals with symptoms.

Why do you enjoy working with chiropractors?
No other profession has a chance to give the American people back their health. It is the only medical arm that is not compromised by big pharma, is not controlled by insurance, and ultimately, does what is best for patients and tells them the truth.

What’s your favorite TCA event and why?
I love the district social events because relationships equal success in business and with patients.

What was your reaction when you found out you won the TCA Friend of Chiropractic Award?
Surprised but very humbled. Many of the chiropractors in Texas have become personal friends ... so the word friend means a lot to me.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
UAC (Ultimate Achievers Club) has had a huge impact. A group of about 100 chiropractors who are at the upper echelon of the business of chiropractic. The relationships and minds in the room have impacted me in a huge way over the last 3 years. Every chiropractor should look at joining that group.

What hobbies or interests do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Golf and travel.

What is an interesting fact about you that others might not know?
I've spoken twice at the Pentagon.

A Message from TCA's President: Andrew Oteo, DC, MBA, CCSP

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

As I reflect on my first three months serving as President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, one thing continues to stand out: the strength of our profession has never been about any one individual. It has always been about the collective commitment of doctors who believe in chiropractic, advocate for their patients, and work together to advance our profession.

We have a tremendous history here in Texas. Generations of chiropractic leaders have invested their time, energy, and resources to secure the opportunities we enjoy today. While it is easy to focus on the challenges immediately in front of us, I believe it is equally important to recognize those who helped build the foundation upon which we stand. Their experiences, sacrifices, and wisdom should continue to help guide our future.

But honoring our history also means taking responsibility for what comes next.

Our profession continues to face important challenges, from legislative and regulatory issues to reimbursement pressures and the evolving healthcare landscape. These are not challenges that any one doctor, practice, or organization can overcome alone. They require engagement, collaboration, and a willingness to look beyond our individual interests for the greater good of chiropractic.

That is why I continue to emphasize the importance of involvement. Whether through district meetings, committee participation, mentorship, financial support, or simply encouraging a colleague to become a member, every contribution matters.

We also have some exciting opportunities ahead. Our upcoming TCA Clays for Chiros event on October 17 provides another opportunity to strengthen relationships and support our association. Looking further ahead, TCA Legislative Day on February 11, 2027, will be an important opportunity for our profession to make its voice heard at the Capitol. I encourage every member to begin thinking about how they can participate. You register now!

As we continue implementing our strategic priorities, my focus remains on strengthening member engagement, improving communication, supporting our districts, and ensuring that TCA delivers meaningful value to the doctors it represents.

I also want to personally thank our Board of Directors, district leaders, committee members, staff, sponsors, and volunteers. Much of the work that moves our association forward happens behind the scenes, and your commitment does not go unnoticed.

Finally, to every TCA member, thank you. Your membership is more than an investment in an organization. It is an investment in the future of chiropractic in Texas.

We may not always agree on every issue, but we should never lose sight of what unites us: our patients, our profession, and our responsibility to those who will follow in our footsteps.

Together, let's continue building a stronger, more unified chiropractic profession across the great state of Texas!

Andrew A. Oteo, DC, MBA, CCSP
President
Texas Chiropractic Association

Featured Article: MRI Findings in Personal Injury Cases Part 2 by J.D. Silva & Associates

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Article: Understanding MRI Findings in Personal Injury Cases

A Practical Guide for Chiropractors Treating Texas PI Patients, Part 2

Note: Article provided by TCA Platinum Partner J.D. Silva & Associates

Texas law generally recognizes that a preexisting MRI abnormality does not prevent recovery when the occurrence (e.g., motor vehicle collision) aggravates that condition or causes a previously asymptomatic condition to become symptomatic. In other words, a preexisting MRI abnormality does not automatically defeat causation. The central question is whether the condition caused symptoms or limitations before the occurrence and, if so, whether the occurrence produced a new injury or a measurable aggravation. Imaging is important, but the patient's history, examination findings, symptom onset, functional change, and a medically reliable causation opinion often determine how the evidence fits together.

When the MRI finding existed but was asymptomatic before the occurrence.

This is potentially a very strong plaintiff argument. Texas Pattern Jury Charge?28.8C?addresses an asymptomatic pre-existing condition—the "eggshell plaintiff" situation. It provides that if the pre-existing condition was not causing symptoms before the occurrence but made the plaintiff more susceptible to injury, the defendant can be responsible for damages resulting from the combination of the pre-existing condition and the occurrence.?

In plain English: The defendant takes the plaintiff as they find him/her.

Example:

Before Motor Vehicle Collision: MRI shows C5-6 disc degeneration/bulge, but patient has no neck pain, no treatment, and no functional limitation.

After Motor Vehicle Collision: Patient develops immediate neck pain and radicular symptoms. MRI looks substantially similar to the MRI before the motor vehicle collision.

That does?not?necessarily mean the crash caused no compensable injury.

Texas courts have specifically dealt with this MRI situation.

Both Hospadales v. McCoy, 513 S.W.3d 724 (Tex. App. 2017) and Amigos Meat Distributors, L.P. v. Guzman, 526 S.W.3d 511 (Tex. App. 2017) directly address the scenario in which the defense argues that unchanged MRI findings disprove causation.

In Hospadales, the defendant argued that MRIs taken after the 2013 accident showed essentially the same injuries as MRIs taken after a 2010 accident, thereby negating causation. The plaintiff's expert, Dr. Rodriguez, acknowledged the near-identical imaging findings but explained that "we don't treat MRIs"—that MRIs "are done to help us rule out problems or be assertive of diagnosis, but we always treat the patient." The court held this testimony was legally sufficient and reliable, rejecting the proposition that identical imaging forecloses a causation finding

In Amigos Meat Distributors, the treating surgeon similarly acknowledged that MRI imaging could not reveal when or how the plaintiff's disc degeneration had occurred. The court emphasized that the defense's focus on the MRI's inability to date the damage was unavailing because the surgeon's causation opinion was "largely informed" by the patient's medical history rather than solely by imaging. The court held that legally sufficient causation evidence existed linking the 2011 workplace injury to the plaintiff's 2014 surgery.

If the patient already had symptoms before the crash.

Texas Pattern Jury Charge 28.8B addresses a preexisting injury or condition that was already causing symptoms at the time of the occurrence. The plaintiff may recover for the additional aggravation caused by the occurrence, but not for symptoms or damages attributable solely to the preexisting condition.

So:

Before Occurrence	AfterOccurrence	Primary Causation Issue
MRI abnormality,?no symptoms	Pain begins after crash	Potential?eggshell/aggravation claim
MRI abnormality +?existing pain	Pain substantially worsens	Recoverable?aggravation/increase
MRI abnormality + existing symptoms	No meaningful change	Difficult to attribute additional damages to crash
No prior MRI, symptoms begin after crash	MRI shows degeneration	Causation still possible; MRI alone doesn'testablish age of finding

The key for the chiropractor.
Avoid stating that the collision created a disc herniation when the imaging cannot establish when the structural finding developed.
Instead, address the medical question that the records and examination can support: Did the occurrence, to a reasonable degree of medical probability, aggravate a preexisting condition, cause it to become symptomatic, or materially worsen the patient's symptoms and functional limitations?
The opinion should explain why. A bare conclusion is less useful than an opinion tied to the patient's reliable history, the timing and nature of symptoms, objective examination findings, imaging correlation, course of care, functional change, and plausible alternative causes.

What to document in the chart.

Before the Occurrence

Was the patient completely asymptomatic?
Any prior neck/back pain?
Any prior treatment?
Any prior restrictions?
Any prior MRI?
Any prior diagnosis?

Immediately After the Occurrence

When did symptoms begin?
What body parts became symptomatic?
Were the symptoms different from anything experienced before?
What activities became difficult?

Clinical Examination

ROM restrictions
Spasm/tenderness
Neurological findings
Radicular complaints
Orthopedic findings
Functional limitations

Imaging Correlation

What does the MRI actually show?
Is there a prior MRI for comparison?
Is the anatomical level consistent with the patient's symptoms?

Clinical Opinion

If medically supportable, the provider should clearly state whether,?to a reasonable degree of medical probability, the collision aggravated the pre-existing condition and caused or contributed to the patient's current symptoms.

That last part is important because Texas courts require legally sufficient evidence of causation, and expert medical testimony can be critical where the causal relationship is medically complex.?

Bottom Line

A pre-existing MRI finding is not the same thing as a pre-existing symptomatic injury.

A patient can have a degenerative disc, disc bulge, or even herniation visible on an MRI for years without experiencing symptoms. If an occurrence causes that previously asymptomatic condition to become symptomatic or materially worsens it, Texas law can permit recovery for the resulting injury and damages.

And?the fact that the post-accident MRI looks similar to the pre-accident MRI does not, by itself, defeat causation. Texas appellate courts have specifically recognized that principle.?

Questions? Contact me at Dr.Lawson@jdsilvalaw.com

Featured Article: MRI Findings in Personal Injury Patients Part 1 by J.D. Silva & Associates

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Understanding MRI Findings in Personal-Injury Patients

A PI Attorney’s Guide for Chiropractors. Part 1.

When a patient is involved in a motor-vehicle collision, the MRI can become one of the most important pieces of evidence in the personal-injury claim. But an MRI does not automatically prove that every abnormality was caused by the crash.

For chiropractors treating personal-injury patients, the key is understanding what the MRI actually shows, how it relates to the patient’s clinical presentation, and how the findings fit into the patient’s history.

1. An MRI Finding Is Not Automatically a Crash Injury

MRI reports frequently identify findings such as:

Disc bulges
Disc protrusions
Disc herniations
Annular fissures or tears
Foraminal narrowing
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative disc disease
Facet arthropathy

Some of these findings can exist before a collision. That does not mean the patient’s symptoms are unrelated to the collision.

The important question is whether the patient’s history, examination, symptoms, and imaging are consistent with an injury or aggravation associated with the collision.

2. The Pre-Accident History Matters

One of the strongest ways to help establish causation is to clearly document the patient’s condition before the collision.

Consider documenting:

Whether the patient had prior neck or back pain
Whether the patient had prior treatment
Whether the patient had previous imaging
Whether symptoms were absent, intermittent, or chronic
Whether the patient had limitations before the collision
When the current symptoms began following the collision

For example, documenting that a patient reported no significant neck pain or treatment before the collision and developed neck pain immediately afterward provides important clinical context.

3. Compare the MRI to the Patient’s Symptoms

The MRI should never be viewed in isolation.

A report might identify a disc protrusion at C5-6, but the more important clinical question is whether that finding corresponds with the patient’s symptoms and examination.

Document the relationship between:

Mechanism ? symptoms ? examination findings ? imaging ? treatment

The stronger the clinical correlation, the easier it is for everyone involved to understand the patient’s condition.

4. Document Changes in Symptoms

Don’t simply document that the patient “has neck pain.”

Be specific.

Instead of:

“Patient continues to have neck pain.”

Consider documenting:

“Patient reports persistent left-sided cervical pain with radiation into the left shoulder. Symptoms increase with cervical rotation and prolonged sitting. Patient reports the symptoms began following the motor-vehicle collision and remain different from her pre-accident condition.”

Specific documentation creates a much clearer medical record.

5. Don’t Overstate the MRI

A chiropractor should document clinical findings accurately without attempting to make the MRI say more than it does.

If the radiologist describes a disc bulge, don’t automatically refer to it as a “herniated disc.”

If the report describes degenerative changes, don’t automatically characterize those changes as traumatic.

Instead, document the actual radiological finding and then explain the clinical significance based on your examination and history.

6. What the PI Attorney Needs from the Chart

From the attorney’s perspective, a strong treatment record should help answer several basic questions:

What happened?
When did the symptoms begin?
What symptoms developed?
What objective findings were present?
What did the imaging demonstrate?
How did the patient’s condition change over time?
What treatment was provided?
Did the patient improve?
What symptoms or limitations remain?

The MRI is one part of that story—not the entire story.

7. The Most Important Takeaway

Don’t treat the MRI report. Treat the patient.

The MRI provides objective information, but the patient’s history, examination, functional limitations, treatment response, and clinical progression provide the context necessary to understand that information.

For personal-injury patients, consistent and detailed documentation can make the difference between an imaging report that simply lists abnormalities and a medical record that clearly explains the patient’s condition.

From the PI Attorney’s Perspective

When we review a personal-injury medical record, we are looking for a consistent story.

The best records don’t exaggerate. They don’t speculate. They simply document the patient’s history, complaints, objective findings, treatment, and progression accurately and consistently.

That makes the medical record more useful for the patient, the treating provider, and the attorney. Our follow up newsletter will discuss pre-existing conditions and Texas law.

Questions? Contact me at Dr.lawson@jdsilvalaw.com