(Editor’s Note: This is Part 1 of an essay written by recent Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate, Dr. Jason W. Blackketter.)
A recent graduate answers the following question:
“How do you perceive the role of chiropractic philosophy in your future professional life, and in the future of the chiropractic profession as a whole?”
When I first began to consider chiropractic as a career, I received quite a bit of varied counsel on this issue of philosophy. One D.C. adamantly said that I “should avoid those philosophical schools” and go to a school that is strong in science, diagnosis skills, evidence-based treatments, and research. He told me that I would be better off not wasting time in classes on philosophy. The last point I recall from this well-meaning, yet biased, D.C. was that I should formulate my own philosophy over time, and this will be much more useful than the dogmatic philosophy and rhetoric promoted by certain philosophical colleges.
Thankfully I sought other counselors, studied, and chose the Chiropractic Fountainhead, Palmer. Over the last several years I have continued to study the classic works from our chiropractic forefathers. In addition to the precious few credit hours of philosophy in the Palmer program, I spent considerable time in my “alternative curriculum.” This led me to the library’s special collections, guest speakers, Green Books, old recordings, early marketing pieces, seminars, and chiropractic history. Rather than stodgy old-fashioned thoughts, I discovered a wealth of insight and wisdom in the principles of chiropractic. These tenets give life and vibrancy to what we do. I realized our principles serve as an anchor to hold me steady and resolute in the winds of change and the storms of practice.
HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF CHIROPRACTIC PHILOSOPHY
While I am certain the readers of this essay are quite familiar with Stephenson’s 1927 Chiropractic Textbook, I am compelled to quote him as a reminder of chiropractic’s core philosophy. “Principle no. 1 – The Major Premise – A Universal Intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence. Principle no. 2 – The expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.”
Chiropractic philosophy was developed to provide answers to many of life’s big questions about health and disease and explain why chiropractic works. The art developed quite rapidly through trial and error, while the science took a bit more time to study the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and all the parts of the body. But the distinct nature of our philosophy was formalized over a long period of many years. It dramatically rose to prominence during a 1907 legal battle when Shegataro Morikubo was accused of practicing medicine and osteopathy without a license. He was defended by Tom Morris on behalf of the UCA and won a landmark ruling in his favor, defining chiropractic as a separate and distinct philosophy, science, and art. In the years following this watershed event both D.D. and B.J. Palmer wrote defining works about the philosophy and principles of chiropractic. What they developed has stood the test of time. It was was cutting edge back then and still is today in many respects.
WHY WE NEED PHILOSOPHY
A core philosophy acts as a filter through which we send all new information and thoughts. It is a worldview. It is the lens that colors, shapes, and brings into focus everything we see.
Simply put, the role of philosophy in chiropractic is indispensable. It is absolutely essential. I long for a day when our professors and clinicians remember to teach the Big Idea. I can imagine a time when students and doctors internalize the tenets of our philosophy and then share them with the public. I hope to see our leaders passionately proclaim why we do what we do, rather than falter and stammer about evidence, lack of research, and the scientific method.
We have the weight of truth on our side! History should teach us that many ideas come and go, but truth remains. Science is by definition a method of questioning the facts and looking for new and better knowledge. Science must continually change and throw out the old or it ceases to function. As a rule, scientists are committed to reductionism, naturalism, and materialism. They refuse to acknowledge the metaphysical or spiritual world. To them, the whole is equal to the sum of its parts. This is an error! We know life is more than material elements. Even the simplest logic can demonstrate the fallacy of scientific dogma taken to its end. For example, a corpse has the exact same parts as a living being, yet it is missing that special spark we call “life.” Chiropractic deals in this other realm of vitalism and mystery.
We need philosophy to inform our research. It gives us a more complete view of reality. It guides our artful application of truth. If we abandon our philosophy and forget the defining moments from our past, we will have no principles to transmit to future generations. Without principles we will have no profession. Those who follow this path will be left with nothing more than empty ideas about natural healing and a bunch of studies about manipulation and low back pain. Without philosophy we have no reason to adjust patients.
Let us look back to the early days of chiropractic, before insurance and government got involved. Back in those days Chiropractors survived and thrived almost solely based on their ability to tell the chiropractic story and get results. Before we began thinking and acting like the allopaths, B.J. Palmer taught us about cause and effect, Above Down Inside Out, accumulative constructive survival value, mental impulses, intelligence, matter, force, and of course Innate.
BACK TO THE BASICS AND ON TO THE FUTURE
Going back even earlier in the profession, to 1910 and The Chiropractor’s Adjuster, we find D.D. Palmer telling Chiropractors to “heal as nature heals, in accordance with Nature’s laws. Compelling the body to do its own healing with its own forces.” He also went on to say that “Life is the expression of tone. In that sentence is the basic principle of Chiropractic. Tone is the normal degree of nerve tension…normal elasticity, activity, strength and excitability…as observed in a state of health. Consequently, the cause of disease is any variation of tone – nerves too tense or too slack.” This early recognition of innate intelligence and the power within the body must still guide the profession today if we are to remain separate and distinct.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve read this 3 or 4 times and it never gets old – kinda like reading a Green Book. What an AWESOME read to help jump start my 1st day back to Palmer.
I agree with Scott, it was like reading a Green Book. I had to read it a few times and I got more out of it each time. Way to go Jason! Thanks for sharing Brandon!
I love philosophy! Higher ground by Strauss (Blue Book) every Chiropractor should read before starting practice!