I believe that we are amiss in not talking about taking care of the people who need our services. Looking at the sheer numbers of potential patients (with all types of health issues) who can be helped through the wonders of a chiropractic adjustment makes me realize the amount of work that remains to be done in our profession.

I was thinking in exponential terms about the number of patients needing us compared with how many chiropractors there are to take care of the masses.

Formula: U.S population, divided by number of D.C.s in the U.S., times patient visit frequency (i.e., once per month) = patients per D.C.

Doing the math gives one an understanding of the potential of chiropractors in this country. The numbers are staggering!

If we used wellness and maintenance care on the global leve/l and people had a complete understanding of the mechanism and philosophy behind chiropractic, then there should be absolutely no shortage of patients coming into our clinics.

I see the vision set before us of the absolute need to go out and educate every person on the planet about the importance of optimal health through the chiropractic adjustment. What has been holding us back?

First, the self-esteem of the doctor who sometimes takes for granted the incredible healing ability that takes place with the delivery of the adjustment.

When a patient has been adjusted, has a miracle taken place for that patient? If it hasn't, maybe that's why we are not able to create the goal of reaching the true critical mass for chiropractic health care. Ultimately, it's up to an individual D.C., not only how his or her patient responds to the adjustment, but also how the doctor responds to it. If chiropractors don't see it as a miracle, then how can patients?

We need to be creating a strong, like-minded group of doctors coming out into the field -- doctors full of healing power coming from their heads with the strong philosophical confidence of why they made that adjustment from their hands. It's not just about chiropractors having certainty in the adjustment but about D.C.s affirming to patients that the right event has just happened in their quest to reach optimal health. Most of all, doctors have to have the involvement from their hearts and souls.

When you adjust patients, you are exchanging something so powerful that subconsciously you have injected a part of your being and heartfelt intention into them through the impact in the adjustment. Imagine the impression that creates.

If we are to make the true shift to the critical mass that many leaders in the profession are talking about, if we're to be in our rightful place in health care, let's go to that perfect world where everyone knows about the basis of the chiropractic adjustment -- and has a thoughtful understanding of the picture of optimal health and wellness through maintenance.

There's a challenge before us and the only way we can ever achieve the greatness this profession deserves is to make the choice to go to the mountaintop. Are you ready, willing and able to make this happen by going out and meeting with and talking to as many people as possible about the truth you know and live so well but may have been hiding?

Don't sell yourself short, don't sell the profession short, and don't sell patients short. Make the decision to take the stand for chiropractic. Help us to mentor young doctors by becoming a member of the World Chiropractic Alliance Council on Chiropractic Mentoring. Become a part of our effort to create a true army of next generation chiropractors. Unite with other doctors to do this at a truly momentous time in chiropractic history.

For yourself and your profession, you won't be sorry.