January 2003
'Something' you just can't get over
by Dr. Will Tickel
A young man, feeling desperate and lost, sought help from an
older, successful businessman. Said the younger man, "I need some
money for food." The older person, whose wisdom was partly the reason
for his success (or a consequence of it), leaned back, thought for a
moment and replied: "Young man, you don't need something to eat. You
simply need to discover that 'something.' It's the 'something' that
propels people to greater heights and fulfills a life. You need to go and
find that 'something' for yourself."
That young man, who went on to discover and express his
'something' in chiropractic, was B.J. Palmer. Numerous times in his
brilliant career at the helm of chiropractic, B.J. was fond of telling
D.C.s to be sure, above all else, to "deliver the adjustment with
that extra 'something'."
That 'something.' What is it? No doubt, you'll have to
discover it for yourself for it is innate, within each and every one of us
and peculiar to each. It's that certain quality with which all living
organisms function, the "tiny rivulet of force" B.J. described.
It's the life force upon which living organisms depend for their
"constructive, survival value." It's the essence of life and
living. And, it's the cornerstone upon which the profession of
chiropractic stands.
Educated in? Innate out?
No educated course of study, no matter how medical or
scientific, should ever be allowed to displace chiropractic's stance
toward "innate." After all, chiropractic is a philosophy, a
science, and an art. This triangle is inseparable and essential to the
maintenance of our purpose. In like fashion, "educated" can
never drive out innate so long as we stay mindful of our foundation.
In no course of study, can we weigh, spray, or assay it. In
most regards, it is neither touchable nor quantifiable. Yet, that doesn't
deny the existence of this innate essence. No more than the existence of
the wind can be denied because we see it blow leaves or cause a flag to
ripple. The seemingly elusive nature of this innate essence, however, does
not mean we should lessen our research into it.
The innate essence, or "innate," of all living
organisms is beyond our understanding or our control. In the theater of
healing we are just witnesses to its workings. We can't conjure it up,
interrupt its course, stimulate it or sedate it. It simply is what it is.
One thing our foundation in this innate essence does dictate
is that we remain unwavering in our dependence upon it for healing. And,
that we continue to tell a needy public this story of life's essence and
how it pertains to health and healing.
For example, one of our sons has a job in a local branch of
the "aristocratic" coffee shop we've come to know as Starbucks.
James, a junior at
Miami
University
, is working toward his
enrollment in chiropractic college. Recently, a well‑meaning patron
inquired, "So what are you studying to become?"
James replied, "A chiropractor." "Oh,
responded the guest, "and how long a program is that, 18 months or
so?" (quite likely the patron was making comparisons to massage or
stylist school). "Well," piped up James, "I'm a Junior here
at
Miami
and I'll have four more
years in chiropractic school, following my acceptance."
"Really," said the customer, pointing out, "it didn't used
to be that way."
"It's true," I later told James as he shared this
story with me, "it didn't use to be that way." Some
old‑timers wonder if it shouldn't still be the way it used to be.
"Anyway," I concluded, "medical doctors rode horseback with
other practitioners, serving apprenticeships as recently as the turn of
the 20th century. No formal training." Somehow, though, after more
than two decades in practice, I find it hard to get over that people still
don't "get it" about chiropractic.
Another case in point.
It's been nearly 40 years since my friend and I graduated
from high school. I welcomed his e-mail the other day, inviting me to a
Thanksgiving get‑together. I suggested I'd bring cigars to
commemorate the event. His next e-mail to me was yet another example of
something I just can't seem to get over.
"Good to know you'll be in attendance," said my
friend. "However, no cigar for me please. I have a rare disease
called COPD (obviously thought I'd not heard of such a rare ailment as
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). He made this assumption, knowing
of our recent efforts -- after 23 years in practice -- to pass Parts III
and IV of the National Board exams in order to obtain licensure in other
states. In fact, he even made mention in his message of how glad he was
that I had gotten through the "ordeal." So my friend thought I
didn't know about COPD. And tried to sell me on its rarity among the human
race.
The clincher to this thing I struggled to get over was my
high school chum's final statement: "You can learn about COPD on the
Internet." And he gave me the website. Wow! I thought, what do my
old‑time friend and the customer at Starbucks think we chiropractors
spend seven to eight years in college to learn? How to pop bones and rub
muscles?
Despite the fact my own sister continues to fondly refer me
to her family and friends as "The Rub Doctor," I thought, whom
or what does my friend think I take care of day in and day out and have
for nearly a quarter century? Clearly, he thinks it's about backaches,
strains and sprains. As an old song asks, when will they ever learn?
The unfortunate truth is, they may never learn. Our family
and friends, patients and potential patients may never come to learn just
how educated D.C.s truly are. One thing they can learn is
how dedicated we are and how much we care about sharing the very essence
of the profession we represent.
They can, that is, if we show them that 'something' B.J.
found, the 'something' we can discover daily as we witness its healing
effects. True, they may not respect our education, but that's secondary
anyway. While they may never truly learn, it's our job to share it
with them just the same.
(Will
Tickel
,
D.C.
-- e-mail: will
tickel@aol.com -- is a graduate of
Miami
University
,
Oxford
,
Ohio
and
National
College
. A noted author and
speaker, recently, he and his wife, Pamela, left their practice in the
suburbs of
Chicago
to relocate to
Cincinnati
, where they also
enjoy a practice among the Amish.)
