Eric Chun Pu Chu1-3, Jin Ye Yeo4
1School of Social Work, Lakehead University, Ottawa, Canada; 2New York Medical Group, EC Healthcare, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 3New York Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Centre, EC Healthcare, Hong Kong SAR, China; 4ACR Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. ACR Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: acr@amegroups.com
This interview can be cited as: Chu ECP, Yeo JY. Readers’ Choice: Author Interview with Dr. Eric Chun Pu Chu. AME Case Rep. 2025. Available from: https://acr.amegroups.org/post/view/readers-rsquo-choice-author-interview-with-dr-eric-chun-pu-chu.
Expert introduction
Dr. Eric Chun Pu Chu (Figure 1) is recognized as a pioneer for advancing chiropractic care in Hong Kong, Asia, and beyond. He is the founder of New York Medical Group and serves as the co-owner and Chief Business Officer of EC Healthcare, the largest public listed, non-hospital healthcare group in Hong Kong.
In his leadership roles across various organizations, he has brought the largest global public health event dedicated to promoting spinal health and well-being, World Spine Day, to Hong Kong. His organizations have received 22 out of 80 World Spine Day Awards from 2013 to 2023, establishing Hong Kong as a leading region in promoting spinal health globally. His dedication to Sustainable Development Goals had awarded him by United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Dr. Chu’s article, “Craniocervical instability associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report and brief review”, published in our journal, has received an outstanding readership and entered the journal’s Most Read Article List.
Figure 1 Dr. Eric Chun Pu Chu
Interview
ACR: What inspired you to pursue chiropractic care, and how did your early experiences shape your vision for advancing the profession in Hong Kong and Asia?
Dr. Chu: My inspiration to pursue chiropractic care stems from my passion for helping people achieve better health and well-being through non-invasive, patient-centered care. Early in my career, I observed a significant gap in musculoskeletal healthcare in Hong Kong and Asia—patients often lacked access to safe, evidence-based treatments for spinal and joint-related conditions. This motivated me to bring chiropractic care to the forefront of healthcare in the region. My early experiences taught me the importance of education, advocacy, and collaboration in raising awareness and building trust within the medical community. These lessons shaped my vision to establish chiropractic care as an integral part of primary healthcare systems in Hong Kong and across Asia.
ACR: You have played a pivotal role in expanding the chiropractic community in Hong Kong. What were the biggest challenges in establishing chiropractic as a recognized profession in the region?
Dr. Chu: One of the biggest challenges was overcoming misconceptions about chiropractic care among both medical professionals and the public. Many people were unfamiliar with the science and evidence supporting chiropractic practices. Additionally, there was a lack of formal recognition for chiropractors in Hong Kong and China, which limited the profession’s ability to grow. To address these barriers, we focused on education and advocacy—working with government officials, organizing public health campaigns like World Spine Day, and collaborating with medical professionals to demonstrate the value of chiropractic care. Acting as the chairman of the Chiropractic Doctors Association of Hong Kong (2013-2024) was also a critical step in uniting the profession and advocating for its recognition.
ACR: As the founder of the Hong Kong College of Chiropractic, what impact do you hope the institution will have on the future of chiropractic education and practice in Asia?
Dr. Chu: The Hong Kong College of Chiropractic was established to provide high-quality, evidence-based education that meets international standards. My vision is for the institution to serve as a hub for advancing chiropractic education and research in Asia, producing skilled chiropractors who can meet the evolving healthcare needs of the region. By fostering collaboration between chiropractors and other healthcare professionals, the college aims to promote the most updated science and elevate the community’s health demand. Ultimately, I hope the college will inspire the next generation of chiropractors to lead innovations in musculoskeletal health and expand access to chiropractic care across Asia.
ACR: Chiropractic care is still relatively new in parts of Asia. What strategies have you found most effective in raising awareness and fostering acceptance among both medical professionals and the public?
Dr. Chu: Education and collaboration have been the most effective strategies. For the public, organized large-scale health campaigns like World Spine Day to raise awareness about spinal health and the benefits of chiropractic care. Engaging the community through workshops, seminars, and social media has also helped demystify chiropractic practices. For medical professionals, fostering inter-professional collaboration has been key. By sharing research, case studies, and evidence-based outcomes, we’ve built trust and demonstrated the value of chiropractic care as a complementary approach to traditional medicine. Partnering with hospitals, universities, and professional organizations has further strengthened our efforts to provide valuable recommendations for government policies. Together, our social media was followed by over 2 million fans in 2024-25.
ACR: Your case report titled “Craniocervical instability associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report and brief review” has been widely read. What are the key takeaways from this case, and what implications does it have for chiropractors and other healthcare providers?
Dr. Chu: The key takeaway from this case is the importance of recognizing the role of chiropractors in managing complex, multi-disciplinary conditions like craniocervical instability in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This case underscores the need for careful diagnosis, collaboration with other healthcare providers, and an evidence-based approach to ensure patient safety. It also highlights how chiropractic care can play a role in improving the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions. For chiropractors, it serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and prioritize patient safety, while for other healthcare providers, it demonstrates the value of including chiropractors in the care team for musculoskeletal and systemic conditions.
ACR: Given your research background, what areas of chiropractic care do you believe require further study to strengthen evidence-based practice?
Dr. Chu: There are several areas that warrant further study. First, we need more high-quality research on the efficacy of chiropractic care for managing non-musculoskeletal conditions, such as neurological and systemic inflammatory disorders. Second, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of chiropractic interventions, particularly in preventing disability and improving quality of life. Finally, research on the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes would provide valuable data to support its integration into healthcare systems. Strengthening the evidence base in these areas will further validate chiropractic care as an essential component of modern healthcare.
ACR: How do you see the future of chiropractic case reporting evolving, and what role do you think AME Case Reports can play in that growth?
Dr. Chu: The future of chiropractic case reporting lies in fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and innovation. With advancements in technology and data sharing, I foresee case reporting becoming more standardized and accessible, enabling chiropractors worldwide to contribute to and learn from a shared body of knowledge. Platforms like AME Case Reports are vital in this evolution—they provide a credible, peer-reviewed outlet for sharing clinical insights and evidence-based practices. By promoting rigorous case reporting, AME Case Reports can help elevate the profession’s credibility, encourage inter-professional collaboration, and inspire new research that advances the field of chiropractic care.