It has been noticed by the observers that doctors and chiropractors in Texas are in a turf war over what medical treatments chiropractors can legally offer in the state.

The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported on Sunday that chiropractors are moving into two areas of healthcare, new treatment technologies such as lasers, and America's obesity epidemic, which doctors maintain are their rightful domain.

It was further reported by the newspaper that the Texas Medical Board and the state's largest doctors' organization, the Texas Medical Association, have brought a lawsuit against the state board that regulates chiropractors, charging that chiropractors using lasers to remove body fat are doing so illegally.

Glenn Parker, executive director of the chiropractic board, said that chiropractors in Texas can use lasers as long as the treatment relates to the musculoskeletal system, the spine or its nerves.

Parker also said that the use of lasers for weight loss or fat reduction "seems to be cosmetic in nature, but I have to see what they're saying to the patient."

It was further explained by Parker that there are no national rules defining what a chiropractor does and standards differ from state to state.

Parker added, "We're trying to develop a standardized approach to answering these questions." (With Inputs from Agencies)