Accused of sexual assault, Regina chiropractor takes the stand as first defense witness
CTV
A Regina chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven different women took the stand Thursday as arguments began in his defense.
A Regina chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven different women took the stand Thursday as arguments began in his defense.
Manz faces a total of seven counts of sexual assault. He was first arrested in April of 2021 after two former clients came forward, alleging they were subjected to "inappropriate and unwanted actions" during their chiropractic treatments when Manz performed a certain maneuver called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching.
The defense claims he was performing legitimate chiropractic procedures, had informed consent to do so and did not touch any of the seven women in a sexual nature.
“[The Crown] said they were going to prove to you that the [PNF] neck stretch was no legitimate chiropractic treatment,” defense lawyer Blaine Beaven told the jury in his opening remarks. “This is a valid chiropractic treatment.”
Manz says he has between 5,000 and 7,000 appointments every year and in up to 30 per cent of appointments, he performs the PNF stretch.
He was asked extensively about the procedures he performs on patients and how he informs them of what will happen over the course of nearly two hours of examination Thursday.
“Our [office’s] policy has always been, ‘If [a] patient is more comfortable with another practitioner, that is exactly where they should be,” Manz told the court. “Because we've always been patient centered that way.”
