Chiropractic and Prestige

The definition of prestige is, "refers to a good reputation or high esteem, though in earlier usage, it meant showiness."  

As we are finding out, the chiropractic degree comes with more negative connotation than the serious doctoral student would consider allowable in prestigious terms.  We must fight against many decades of stereotype and mistrust due to a side of chiropractic that defines itself based on pseudoscience and profiteering.  How do we, the serious folk, obtain prestige for our efforts and continue prancing forward in this rigorous but baggage ridden profession?  Does it matter what people think?

As Mamma Spangler always used to say, it doesn't matter what people think, it matters only what you think.  That is all fine and dandy but if you work as hard, if not harder than the traditional medical student, you too would want some recognition.  If you know that your efforts are honest and all that you do and represent to your patients is truly in their best interest, does it matter?  

It comes down to why you are venturing forward in the first place.  Do you want a title that makes you feel good about yourself because you presently don't feel good about yourself?  Are you looking to be accepted in the public's eye or your counterpart's eye?  What do you stand for?  Is your intention honest?  Why do you want to be a HPC?  Money?  Prestige?

All in all, we want to feel special in this short life and if we don't feel unique we seek ways to fulfill our need in this area, a.k.a., chiropractic or any other health care area.  We are needed as doctors by the needy.  How special does that make you feel when you are needed.  It makes me feel good.  The decision to be in this profession has to stem from something beyond personal identity or prestige.  I think this statement goes beyond chiropractic.

What does this Nation need as far as health care goes?  A good spinal adjustment?  I hope that is not your answer.  A nice pill to subside symptoms?  I hope that isn't your answer either.  The chronic ailments plaguing our society are preventable.  But, our system feeds them pills and spinal adjustments.  It seems obvious that people need behavioral therapy more than anything. People need hand holding for a period of time before they feel confident enough to change or better yet, take responsibility for their actions.  I would rather be the guy who holds their hand through the process of change than the one feeding them pills knowing they will be reliant on those medications for life.  If a person learns lessons on living healthfully, these lessons branch far beyond health.  The positive changes help people succeed at work, school, relationships and recreation.  We have this obligation to our patients.

We have a duty to define what health is and we need to be aware of ways to help people adopt these healthy behaviors.  The current model trains folks to "tell" patients to only come in if you feel sick or hurt.  We as providers will be rewarded for helping the sick or hurt, not to prevent sickness or injury or promote wellness.  Nothing is being done to prevent disease or to foster real personal growth for the public.  If we teach people how to live better lives by living lifestyles we teach, I think the message will be loud.  Patients and people in general need role models.  In the health realm, how many fit medical providers have you met?  You might be thinking, well Nate, you drink beer and occasionally eat breakfast sandwiches from the chiro-cafe.  Well, to be human is to error.  You must weigh the good and the bad and see what is more prevalent.  In my case, I am weighted on the good side of health choices more than bad.  Aristotle was a proponent of moderation.  I try to think about that when I make choices.  If my bad choices during a week outweigh the good, I change my ways a bit and get the good back on par.  Nobody is perfect and if there are perfect people out there, I am sure they aren't happy.

As far as chiropractic and prestige goes, the message I am sending should be clear.  Obtaining a degree isn't prestige, it a piece of paper.  The real prestige comes from teaching and living in accordance to your values for the health of others.  It is that simple.

Thanks for reading