March 2008

Sex appeal or substance: Where is the greater vision?

by Dr. Myron D. Brown

Part 2 of 2

BJ Palmer, the developer of the profession, has often been quoted for his powerful statement, "chiropractic is specific or it is nothing." But specificity was a core value in chiropractic even before BJ led the profession's development. Specificity has been a core value since the discovery of the principles of chiropractic.

DD Palmer described the first adjustment in exactly that way: "...There was nothing 'accidental' about this, as it was accomplished with an object in view, and the result expected was obtained. There was nothing 'crude' about this adjustment; it was specific..." This excerpt can be found on page 18 of Palmer's 1910 text, "The Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic, The Chiropractors Adjustor" (TCA).

A review of DD Palmer's work reveals an astonishing number of references to specificity as a prerequisite to the scientific practice of chiropractic. Here are just a few of them:

***  DD Palmer often admonished early chiropractors about the need to be specific: "...remember that you cannot adjust, replace a vertebra that is not displaced. I desire that every Chiropractor to understand and comprehend this statement. They will then be on the road toward special, specific, scientific adjusting, creating a science..." (TCA page 42).

***  DD Palmer drew distinctions between his chiropractic and other arts: "Chiropractors should be specific, making one "simple movement in the spine at a particular spot" and in the right direction." (TCA page 260). Similarly, "...I adjust only one vertebra, making the adjustment direct and specific, the difference being that one move adjusts, while the other manipulates... (page 15 TCA)

***  DD Palmer also stressed the relationship between specificity and scientific practice: "Very few realize what is meant by being specific, scientific in either teaching the science or practicing the art of Chiropractic." (TCA page 310).

***  DD Palmer demanded specific precision in the art, as well as the science of chiropractic: "I prefer being specific, definite and precise in locating causes and just as explicit and exact in adjusting." (TCA page 404).

***  To D.D. Palmer the concept of specificity was the basis of chiropractic practice as a science and an art: "The Chiropractor locates the impingement (to be specific, means one location and one adjustment; otherwise it is not scientific), which disturbs functions, mental or physical, relieves the pressure and restores normal innervation...Chiropractic is a science just so far as it is specific. The ability to discriminate, to be precise, makes Chiropractic a science and an art." (TCA page 622).

***  DD Palmer again emphatically states that chiropractic is not a science without specificity: "Is the science of Chiropractic specific? If it is not specific, it is not a science." (TCA page 784)

***  DD Palmer even defined the art, science and philosophy of chiropractic in terms of the knowledge of the adjustment of vertebrae: "Chiropractic is a name I originated to designate the science and art of adjusting vertebrae. It does not relate to the study of etiology, or any branch of medicine. Chiropractic includes the science and art of adjusting vertebrae ‑‑ the know how and the doing." (TCA page 225).

Sadly, although specific location, analysis and correction of vertebral subluxation has been the essential core value of chiropractic since its inception, Mary's story is not unusual.

One of the most difficult experiences in my practice was to find chiropractors in distant locations when practice members would move or find themselves in extended travel situations. Few events were more frustrating and many times people would give up due to the discouraging results when they sought vertebral subluxation‑ centered care in their new locations.

As the profession matures it needs to remember the specific thinking that led DD Palmer to the discovery of the principles of chiropractic and that there is vast difference between manipulation and a specific chiropractic spinal adjustment. The distinctions were identified by the founder and expounded upon by the developer of the profession. Putting aside the amnesia about specificity would serve the profession very well in its quest to know its identity and also go far to defend chiropractic's unique contribution to health from external encroachment.

Chiropractic practitioners and students may tend to think that I'm moving toward the endorsement of a particular type of chiropractic adjusting technique, but that isn't the case. This article is actually focused at the objective of chiropractic care itself. Once the objective is clear the methods will always tend to clarify with time.

If the objective is the specific location, analysis and correction of vertebral subluxation, then more precise methods of achieving that goal will always be sought and improved upon. However, the problem that has become apparent in the profession is that many practitioners have forgotten, or worse yet, never learned about the essential objective. As a result, we see deviation centered on treating pain and conditions. This is evidenced by the many non‑specific, manipulative, condition‑focused procedures commonly in use that are ineffective and completely unpredictable insofar as their effect on vertebral subluxations.

One good reason to center our focus on the vertebral subluxation includes the fact that it is non‑duplicative, therefore, cost‑effective. Additionally, professional integrity is uncompromised when chiropractors locate, analyze and correct vertebral subluxations. And the best reason of all is that people everywhere need to live a life free of vertebral subluxations. Far too little attention has been focused by the chiropractic profession on researching and improving our skills in what's most relevant ‑‑ the vertebral subluxation.

The effects of chiropractic care may be easier to see or more obvious in high profile celebrities or in persons with great maladies, but that shouldn't distract us from the greater vision of all people living a life free of vertebral subluxation. No child should have to grow up subluxated just because he or she hasn't yet developed symptoms. This idea has grown within many of us to the level of a sustained passion and commitment to this greater vision of chiropractic. Supporting the things we believe is certainly not a burden, but actually a privilege.

In his inspirational book, "Let My People Go Surfing," Yvon Chouinard, founder of the ecologically conscious and highly successful clothing company Patagonia, said of the benefits of a greater vision: "Despite the challenges involved, we've found that every time we've elected to do the right thing, even when it costs twice as much, it's turned out to be more profitable." ("Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman," Penguin Press HC, 2005] Keeping Chouinard's experience in mind, there are great benefits for us as chiropractors in supporting the things we believe in. Putting our time and energy into the core focus of our profession enhances our ability as chiropractors. This focus on our center, the vertebral subluxation, expands our greater vision of all things chiropractic, both central and peripheral.

The message of von Goethe is just as true today ‑‑ take action, and then providence moves. Financially supporting our chiropractic educational institutions is not a burden, it's a personal reward. Sending prospective students to visit great institutions like Sherman College doesn't just open the door for them, it enriches the chiropractor, his or her practice and the families of the student, too.

As Nike said, just do it and the more things we do that are consistent with our own core values the more coherent our lives become and providence moves for us and within us.

(Dr. Myron D. Brown is executive vice president/provost at Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic.)