What Do We Stand For?

After a long conversation with my fellow colleague and friend from UWS (University of Western States), formerly WSCC, I have decided there is a need for chiropractic to define itself in the public's eye.  

Some people think chiropractic is all witchcraft and snake oil salesman.  Some believe we cure and prevent back pain.  While others think we are primary care doctors.  What does our profession stand for?  It seems like there are a lot of people who want to be neuromusculoskeletal doctors while others want to go for the conservative primary care approach.  And there are some who want to focus on rehab, fitness and nutrition (like me).  I suppose it is okay for all of these approaches as long as ethical standards are not violated in the process of seeking success.

We, as a profession, have always stood for prevention of disease - even in the good ol' days of subluxation theory.  During the time when these cultish behaviors ran rampant, other cult-like groups manifested in response to religious identification.  Chiropractic was one of the prominent cults during those early years.  However, the theory was never proven to be scientifically valid and today we have moved toward a biomechanical/therapeutic approach.  With that said, there is a huge social movement occurring that is demanding preventative health care reform.  The new national insurance plan is getting tweaked and molded into it's final form and from what I have read, chiropractic is being strongly recommended by many law makers.  

All of this change is so exciting!  To be going into a profession that stands for and has always stood for wellness (in one way or another) is great.  Just think, the new health care plan is supposed to pay about 10% more for reimbursement to qualified doctors.  If chiropractors are added to this reform plan, we'll be sitting pretty nicely.  And being that the Veteran's administration just recently expanded coverage to DC's, I don't see how or why we as a profession wouldn't be added to the reform plan.

There is so much running through my caffeinated brain tonight.  I can't wait to get out there and start helping people change their lives, fix their ailments and keep them off of prescription drugs if possible.  Knowing that our nation is saturated with prescription medications for the most mundane ailments is disturbing and worth standing up against.  A zestful life isn't found in a bottle of prescription drugs.  Particularly, if you can make simple changes that benefit all aspects of life.  Most of us have a choice as to how we live our lives and many choose to live lives full of excess on many levels.  It is primarily due to affluence and lack of immediate repercussions or better yet, the affluence of immediate pleasure!

All for now - thanks for reading and go to the ACA and support access to Chiropractic by finding the page that sends a note to law makers in support of our profession.