The Lehigh Valley Health Network plans to phase out chiropractic services beginning in the spring due to a restructuring, the network said.

The services will be phased out effective April 12 but patients will still have access to chiropractic services until then.

Ten network chiropractors in 10 practices in Northampton, Monroe, Luzerne and Lehigh counties are affected.

“Three additional chiropractors are aligned but independent and are not affected,” according to Brian Downs, a network spokesman. “About a dozen other staff are part of the service and all of them will likely be redeployed to open positions in the health network.”

The network recently announced plans to merge with Jefferson Health, which serves the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey regions.

The proposed union, outlined in a non-binding letter of intent, would give rise to a regional health system featuring 30 hospitals, a national research university, and a health insurance company spanning two states.

“In any large organization there will be occasional restructuring for various reasons. This is one of those situations and from time to time restructuring happens based on community need and demand as well as other factors,” Downs explained

At this time both LVHN and Jefferson Health are continuing business as usual as independent organizations, he added.