Why Chiropractors are the Trusted Leaders of health
The Palmers' said it best in The Science of Chiropractic, "No worthier profession exists or offers so many opportunities for doing good, as Chiropractic" (Palmer, 1906, p.7) If you examine the history and the origins of each profession, there are none better positioned to be the leader of health in their community than chiropractic. In fact, chiropractic is the primary health leader in communities because it's the only profession focused on protecting the healthy while also serving the dis-eased. The very essence of the profession is composed of 33 principles that describe that special 'something' that is chiropractic. Our ethical responsibilities are laid out in B.J.'s last printed words, in The Glory of Going On, where he describes our chiropractic duty in 3 big ideas.
BJ Palmer and his Last Printed Words
To begin, B.J. uses the first paragraph to emphasize and implore chiropractors to maintain, "this principle and practice unadulterated and unmixed." There are two ideas here that work hand in hand. The first part requests that we remain true to what we do: to remove subluxations first and foremost. The profession is not interested in performing the procedures of other medical professionals nor giving patients the impression that the chiropractor does the healing. The other idea lays out the framework for how to be a pure chiropractor through the science, art, and philosophy. Maintaining stout, equal pillars for our chiropractic stool is imperative. Similar to how equilateral triangles are one of the sturdiest shapes for building; the strength of the chiropractor rests entirely on the strength of their foundational stool. In order to build up the community as a health leader, a strong cornerstone is required. It is our responsibility to be sound in all three through constant learning and sharpening of our science, art, and philosophy. We consider ourselves 'practicing' doctors simply because the learning journey never stops. A pure profession can only go onward and upward since there is nothing to tarnish or weigh it down.
Secondly, B.J. encourages the chiropractor to travel and relieve the "suffering and add millions of years to the lives of millions of suffering people." This is our call to action by highlighting the desperate community need for health leaders. Our action steps are to care for and educate the community. The unique aspect of chiropractic is that it's designed to be a proactive approach to health. Even B.J. pointed out," The Preservation of health is easier than the cure of disease." Simply put, we cater to the healthy and remove neural interference before it becomes problematic. Concurrently, we aid the dis-eased in healing themselves through the very same adjustment. Health is akin to light; ultimately, life is a battle between light and dark. If you break the word 'subluxation' down to its prefix, root, and suffix you get: the action or process of less light. When the body is unable to constructively adapt to change, subluxations appear. Consequently, the 'light' is dimmed and dis-ease processes commence. Chiropractors are specially trained in removing interference thus, illuminating the body, soul, and spirit by reconnecting the nervous system and restoring the light. Not only that but chiropractors are urged to lean into the truest meaning of the title 'doctor'- meaning 'to teach' in Latin. We are to teach the 'Big Idea' of chiropractic: that health starts from Above Down Inside Out. Knowledge is power. We are called to empower and enlighten the community by sharing this message with the masses because there are "multitudes seeking what we possess," as stated in B.J.'s last printed words. In fact, he used his radio station to share this healing message with the world for over 70 years. Chiropractic possesses not only a different way to approach healthcare but a different way of viewing our bodies. We get to share the good news that we are fearfully and wonderfully made with the capability to heal. Chiropractic honors the sovereignty of the person and puts the power back into their hands. As B.J. said, "We never know how far-reaching something we may think, say, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow. It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. Get the idea, all else follows!" (Palmer, Evolution or Revolution, 1957). Education and chiropractic care are how we relieve suffering and add millions of years to the lives of millions of suffering people.
Finally, and most importantly, chiropractors are ethically responsible to guard well the Sacred Trust. Again, this goes back to maintaining a strong 3-legged stool because this coincides beautifully with our three unalienable rights outlined in the famous 1776 document: The Declaration of Independence. Life is supported by the Science pillar through the education of the public on what their body can do. Liberty is seen through the Art by removing interference and promoting the freedom to innately express more intelligently. The pursuit of Happiness is demonstrated in the Philosophy of chiropractic through self-empowerment and finding alignment in one's own life. It is not a coincidence that D.D. Palmer stated, "I feel it my bounded duty to not only replace displaced bones but also teach others, so that the physical and spiritual may enjoy health happiness, and the full fruition of our earthly lives." Simply put, The Sacred Trust is that the chiropractor is only concerned with guarding our freedom to express ourselves more intelligently through a clear nervous system. The world longs for a health-focused leader. Chiropractic is the only one qualified for such a position.
Recently, we have lost sight of health in a disease-focused system, which has led to the deprivation of those same inalienable rights through fear-mongering. Where the mind goes, the body will follow. If a majority of the population is operating out of fear- it is much easier to control the masses. The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 shut the entire world down to isolate the ill which only perpetuated the fear and caused more healthy people to become dis-eased. People avoided or were told to stop interacting with the outside world. People even stopped breathing fresh air outside. Jobs were lost, schools were shut down, family time was reduced to video chats, and isolation created a deeper disconnect not only with the outside world but with oneself. This is what happens when a disease-care model looks to see why the ill are ill instead of asking why the well remains well. Instead of thriving, people are merely surviving. Chiropractors have the duty to step up to the plate and address this self-limiting and fear-based subluxation through education and adjustments. The world is ready for a change in who they see as their health leader. Chiropractic was created for a time such as this.
All in all, chiropractors have three primary responsibilities: hold firm the 3 pillars, share the message with the masses, and guard the Sacred Trust of being a true HEALTH leader. Our calling goes deeper than a cavitation; our calling is to serve the masses and empower the community. The ethical responsibilities of being a chiropractor are the very reasons why we are the health leaders of the community. Just like it is written above the door in the Learning Commons at The Fountainhead of Chiropractic, we are called to go forth and serve. True leadership stands firm in the vision of its mission and works alongside the community. As B.J Palmer said, "I will sell chiropractic, serve chiropractic, and save chiropractic if it will take me twenty lifetimes to do it. I will promote it within the law, without the law, in keeping with the law or against the law in order to get sick people well and keep the well from getting sick." These reasons (and more) are why chiropractors are the trusted leaders of health.
“I will sell Chiropractic, serve Chiropractic, and save Chiropractic if it will take me twenty lifetimes to do it. I will promote it within the law, without the law, in keeping with the law or against the law in order to get sick people well and keep the well from getting sick.”
