When
chiropractors get together, they often discuss philosophy.
Yet, you will seldom hear them mentioning Plato and Aristotle,
or comparing notes on Nietzsche or Emerson. The philosophy
they are most interested in is chiropractic philosophy, the
fundamental beliefs and underlying precepts of the entire
profession.
Many people find it odd that chiropractic has
its own philosophy. After all, other professions don't have
one. Have you ever heard of pediatric philosophy – accounting
philosophy – or legal philosophy? Why, then, does chiropractic
have a philosophy?
Actually, it is somewhat misleading to say
that chiropractic has a philosophy. According to Dr. B.J.
Palmer, the developer of chiropractic (whose father, D.D.
Palmer, is credited with its actual "discovery" in 1895),
chiropractic IS a philosophy – as well as a science and an
art.
That is, chiropractic is not merely a method
of adjusting a person's spine or correcting subluxations. It
is a set of beliefs about the human body and the natural order
of the universe.
These beliefs – this philosophy – is the WHY
of chiropractic. The science and art of chiropractic (such as
the specific adjusting techniques) were developed, and are
used, in accordance with the philosophy.
Chiropractic is unique in this respect. Other
professions are not based on a set of unchangeable principles.
The legal profession, for example, deals with a system of laws
and statutes that change rapidly. A few years ago, it was
legal to cruise 75 MPH on most highways. Today, it's against
the law.
Even a single action can be viewed differently
depending on the circumstances surrounding it. Taking another
person's life, for instance, can be murder, manslaughter,
negligent homicide, or justifiable homicide. There is no
single, universal principle by which to judge the action.
Lawyers, then, must deal with rules and laws that fluctuate
with time, location, and society's preferences. The same is
true of accounting. Try to convince a tax accountant that tax
laws are consistent. |
Even the
field of medicine changes according to the latest research
results. Not long ago, for example, M.D.s were routinely
taking tonsils out as a preventive measure. Today, it is a
rare procedure.
In chiropractic, the basic underlying precepts
remain unchanged and unchangeable. Understanding of those
beliefs may deepen, and the techniques may improve, but the
elemental doctrines will be constant. The importance of
philosophy to the chiropractic profession cannot be stressed
enough, for it is the basis of everything a principled
chiropractor does.
According to one of the profession's early
philosophers, Ralph Stephenson, D.C., "It is the explanation
of everything chiropractic – the difference between a good
chiropractor and a poor one is, that the good one has an ample
supply of abstract principles in his head and the poor one
only a few – Poor chiropractors are apt to substitute
machinery for knowledge."
Although there are many principles which
comprise chiropractic philosophy, a few of the key ones
include:
- There exists a Universal
Intelligence which brings organization to all matter,
and maintains its existence;
- All living things have inborn, or Innate
Intelligence which adapts universal forces and matter
for use in the body;
- Every living thing has ALL the Innate
Intelligence it requires to maintain its life and optimal
health;
- Health is the expression of the Innate
Intelligence through Innate Matter, via Innate
Energy;
- When there is interference with the
transmission of Innate Energy, the result is a decrease in
the expression of Innate Intelligence, which chiropractors
call dis-ease (not to be confused with
disease!).
Because these terms and concepts are so
important to chiropractors – and their patients – they will be
explained in detail in the other "booklets" in this series.
When you understand chiropractic philosophy, you will know
that chiropractic works – and
why! |