Recently, I went and spoke with one of our student clinic doctors, who just happens to be an AO practitioner. We talked for a good hour and he gave me some really good material to read.
Among the information he gave me was a copy of a class presentation Dr. Ralph Gregory gave in October 1966.
Here are some excerpts from that talk:
“The one point that I am most concerned with, and I trust that you are also, is that the subluxated vertebra moves; it becomes malpositioned, it gets out of line in one or more directions. The subluxated vertebra travels due to some force that makes it travel in some direction or directions which are undesirable, and this is undesirable because, being a subluxation, it produces pathology or symptomolgy in the patient.
Therefore, the science of chiropractic is to find out the exact location and malposition of the subluxated vertebra; to find out the amount of interference; to determine the exact adjustment that will remove the misalignment factors of the subluxation, remove the interference; ascertain places of origin of function, paths of distribution, and the location of the functional effects of that interference. To put the latter statement another way: relate the subluxation to the disease process.
Thus the whole procedure rests upon the restoration principle. To restore the vertebra to its proper position; restore nerve supply; restore function and to restore health. Any so-called adjustment that does not restore to or toward normal the misalignment factors of the subluxation is not an adjustment; and therefore cannot be chiropractic science.”
Dr. Gregory went on later to make this statement:
“Any chiropractor who increases the patient’s subluxation by increasing the misalignment factors of the subluxation is liable for malpractice and I have ample legal opinion on that.”
A strong statement, no doubt, but one I agree with.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
“Any so-called adjustment that does not restore to or toward normal the misalignment factors of the subluxation is not an adjustment; and therefore cannot be chiropractic science.”
Couldn’t agree more. Yet, the majority of our profession doesn’t even BELIEVE in a normal position.
They will learn soon….
It was weird to read you write ‘practitioner”.
Just think, Dr. Gregory inspired young doctor’s like Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr…. Now look where he ended up…
Dr. Gregory is indeed a monumental person in the world of Upper Cervical and BJ Palmer was completely right when we said “We may never know how far reaching something we may think, say or do, today will affect the lives of million tomorrow!”…
Dr. Gregory certainly affected many lives and how grateful I am for that because without him I would not find myself under such great care from the NUCCA doctor’s that have changed my life!