Within the chiropractic profession, there has been a longstanding plea for unification. Some chiropractors stay within the musculoskeletal playing field—treating low back pain and neck pain. However, others utilize a more vitalistic and holistic chiropractic philosophy. Vitalistic chiropractors believe in the body’s ability to heal and adapt to everyday stressors.
To be honest, I am trying to break the chains on my mechanistic practice and transform it into one of a vitalistic and holistic nature. The divided landscape of the chiropractic field has slowed the growth and progression of the profession. Chiropractic needs to stand by itself among the other healing professions. Reducing chiropractic care to a mechanistic and reductionistic modality keeps it in line with physical therapy and other Western healing practices. But chiropractic has so much more to offer.
In order to move chiropractic forward into its proper place within healthcare, we need to establish its true definition. We also need to establish the promise of the chiropractic adjustment. What is the purpose of the chiropractic adjustment? What needs to happen to make chiropractic the new standard of healthcare? Honestly, I’m writing this blog to myself—a stream of consciousness, a means of justification for chiropractic. One blog at a time, I hope to prove to myself and the world that chiropractic deserves a chance to make this world a healthier place. Above all, this is a pursuit of what it really means to be a chiropractor.
Breaking the Chains of Pain Relief
During the five years I have been in practice, I have struggled with convincingly communicating chiropractic as a healthy lifestyle success strategy (Thank you, Dr. Franson). Patients would come in for pain and a few weeks or months later leave the practice because they were “pain-free.”
This frustrated me because patients were only coming in for “chiropractic aspirin” or a quick fix. They showed up when they were in pain and left when the pain was gone. Practicing this way doesn’t differentiate chiropractic care from physical therapy, massage therapy, or pain clinics. After all, if patients only want pain relief, why not just take Advil? Why see a chiropractor for pain when there are countless other options?
Here’s the truth: chiropractors have limited the adjustment to pain relief and improved range of motion. Massive disservice. True chiropractic philosophy states nothing about pain relief. Instead, chiropractic is explained as a vital and holistic method of healthcare—a way to keep your body healthy from the inside out.
So, where do we go from here as a profession? What will move chiropractic out of a mechanistic and reductionistic modality of healthcare into its proper place as the purest form of healthcare?
Rethinking the Chiropractic Mission
The simple answer? Chiropractors need to speak up. We must resist the temptation of low-hanging fruit like neck and back pain. Chiropractors need to dive into research (myself included), philosophy, and the art of chiropractic.
In order to change the health paradigm, we need to change the conversation around health. Ironically, Americans already know how broken our healthcare system has become. Communities are searching for answers to their healthcare problems. Every day without educating the public on the chiropractic adjustment and lifestyle is another day we lose to the medical system.
Chiropractors as Community Leaders
Chiropractors need to become the healthcare leaders within their communities. To do this, we need training. Chiropractors must evolve and understand that chiropractic philosophy encompasses physical, chemical, and emotional health.
It’s our duty, obligation, and responsibility to educate as many people as possible. Chiropractors should be at the forefront of a paradigm shift toward a vitalistic and holistic lifestyle. It’s time to take the first steps against the broken healthcare system that prioritizes reactive care over proactive solutions.
True Health Comes from Within
Here’s the sad part: nobody is coming to save your community. The allopathic medical community doesn’t know how to create healthy individuals. Reactive healthcare focuses on masking symptoms with pills or potions instead of addressing the root cause.
Our bodies weren’t made for quick fixes. Instead, the Lord has given us everything we need to heal naturally. So why haven’t more chiropractors stepped up to spread the message that true health comes from within?
A Personal Journey of Clarity
Throughout these blogs, I’ll write about the philosophy, art, and science of chiropractic. This journey is personal. I want the healthiest life possible for myself, my family, and the patients I serve.
I hope this makes me a better follower of Jesus, father, husband, friend, and doctor. As BJ Palmer said:
“You never know how far-reaching something you think, say, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.”
