Follow the Principle, Not the Person

This blog has truly been an amazing endeavor for me. In less than six months, I feel like I’ve been able to begin my career while still in chiropractic school. I have met and talked with some of the foremost leaders in Upper Cervical Chiropractic, and gotten some incredible advice in the process. I was invited to sit in on a round table meeting with various Upper Cervical leaders at Evolution. One year goals I set for this blog have already been reached.

But with all the opportunities opening up for me comes truth as well. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to learn some things about a very prominent Upper Cervical Chiropractor. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, that means it’s not about you. I’m not throwing anyone under the bus or giving out details. Let’s just leave it at that.

Some things I thought true about this person have turned out to be false and it somewhat rocked my world. This person has been put on a pedestal, by their own doing or by others, maybe a combination. I’m not sure. It turns out maybe that person doesn’t belong on a pedestal. In fact, none of us do.

This particular experience has proven to me once again what some have been telling me lately: follow the principle, not the person. That goes true for people reading this blog. Believe me I screw up sometimes. Just read this for proof. We all screw up, but that’s fine. We are human and we all make mistakes.

All the more reason to hold on to something that has been proven, that we know works. There’s no error in that.

I Am Still A Student

I know I have a lot to learn. Believe me, I know it. That’s fine. We are all students in our own ways. I just think it’s a good thing if we all realize it and humble ourselves to that realization.

It reminds me of what Dr. Drew Hall said at Evolution: “If you adjust someone and they don’t get better, it’s not chiropractic that failed, it’s you that failed.” I agree.

I have a patient I am taking care of in the Parker clinic that held her first adjustment from me for two months. In the three visits since then, she’s needed an adjustment each time. My first thought is “What am I doing wrong?” followed by “What can I do better?” I find out this week when she comes in whether I did better or not. We’ll see.

Principles Are Static

Principles don’t change, they stay the same. If you cut your finger, it heals. That’s a principle of the body. That has never changed and it never will. But people do. Many Upper Cervical Chiropractors were once full spine chiropractors. They once believed in adjusting the whole spine, not just one bone at the top of the neck. I did once.

The point is that a principle is set. It is something we can hang our hat on.

I just think it’s important for us to search out the truth behind things. We have to find out if what we do is correct, if it has a point, and more importantly, if it works. Otherwise, what’s the point? It’s about being humble enough to recognize if real truth is different from what we thought was true. This is where I am at now.

I don’t mean to get on my soapbox. I just thought it was important to share my thoughts on this subject. If this post helps just one person come to the same realization I did, then that is good enough for me.

Recommended Reading

• Chiropractic is Much More Than Back Pain and Neck Pain
• IT’S A GIRL!!!
• A Chiropractic Miracle Story
• Here Comes the Sun – Chiropractic for Everyone
• My Journey Through Chiropractic School