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October 2004 Table of Contents
CBP® Research Update • Conventional Wisdom • Don's Opinion • CBP® and Geriatrics: A Case Report • Enough of Chiropracticis for This Pain or That Pain • Chiropractic Passion • The Purpose Driven Practice • Three New and Important Whiplash Articles • You Hired Me To Do A Job • ACA Lawsuit Dismissed • CBP® Online Cyber Update • Harrisons' and Caillet • ICA Files 'Amicus' Brief • A Response to Dr Fuhr • Life University Achieves Financial Goal • Structural Rehab Tool • CBP®'s Chiropractor of the Year • CBP®'s Annual Awards
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Chiropractic Passion
by Scott J. Heun, D.C.
 Dr. Heun practiced chiropractic very successfully for over twenty years. As a second generation chiropractor he has a unique perspective on the profession. At various times he has owned and operated single and multi-doctor offices, managed multiple office locations, as well as a physical therapy and rehabilitation center. Dr. Heun successfully implemented an intern program in the last 8 years of practice and was a preceptor for Palmer College of Chiropractic-West. Dr. Heun is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), taught the CBP® II elective at Life-West and a CBP® Certified Fellow and CBP® Instructor. Dr. Heun retired from practice in 2004 and is now a full time practice consultant with Total Practice Management International, LLC.
In the past few years, I have had numerous conversations with students and doctors regarding chiropractic philosophy and scope of practice. Often, these topics produce a smirk or even a sneer, and some reference to the chiropractic principles being “outdated” or “old fashioned.” I have personally spoken to a number of individuals who are now either students or practicing chiropractors who were never adjusted until they started their formal chiropractic education! Many have been “directed” to chiropractic by a counselor in either high school or college who, based upon testing and other clues felt the student had an “aptitude” for the chiropractic profession. I believe the commonality of this observation suggests a paradigm shift in the make up of our profession.
I grew up in a chiropractic household. My father suffered from sinus headaches and sinus problems for many years as a young man. A well intentioned and motivated intern from the Palmer School of Chiropractic suggested he consider “adjustments” for his maladies. My father, former patient of the Mayo Clinic, chronic sufferer, had finally found a solution; chiropractic care.
My father’s enthusiasm in explaining to my grandparents his decision to pursue a chiropractic education did nothing to counteract their displeasure with his decision. Therefore, he had to undertake his chiropractic education on his own, absent their emotional or financial support. However, the passion for his new found profession created and subsequently spurred on by his personal, positive health experience carried him through to graduation, and on to tremendous practice success.
This story has unfolded in hundreds of chiropractor’s lives. Historically many, if not most chiropractor’s, “chiropractic education” began with their own positive response to chiropractic care. With an incredible, often even miraculous response to chiropractic care, these doctors knew of the power of healing which is possible when nerve interference is reduced or eliminated. When these doctors began raising families and living out chiropractic philosophy, a good many chiropractor’s offspring also chose to become chiropractors. Now, perhaps for the first time in the history of chiropractic, we have new “recruits” to the profession who do not have a personal or philosophical link to chiropractic. Perhaps this explains the all too common resistance to “chiropractic philosophy” I have sadly observed.
Where can a chiropractic student or chiropractor who did not have the benefit of a personal “chiropractic education” develop a passion for chiropractic today? In chiropractic research; chiropractic science, and the technical and practical application of the art of chiropractic, we have the intellectual substance for developing the passion for chiropractic.
For the first time in the history of chiropractic, we have research which our forbearers in the profession could only dream about. This research proves the efficacy of chiropractic to chiropractors and the scientific community, once and for all. The research conducted in the past decade has strongly supported the relationship between spinal structure and nerve system function we learned about in chiropractic school. What was once theory is now concrete: abnormal position of the spine, pelvis and overall posture, creating stress and strain on supportive tissues, and even more importantly, on the spinal cord degrades a person’s health.
The chiropractic student today has solid ground to stand upon in the area of chiropractic philosophy and science. The chiropractic research of Chiropractic Biophysics® (CBP®) and others published in the Index Medicus provides the substance; your intellect provides the critical analysis, therefore, paving the way for your passion to drive your education or your practice. Chiropractic passion today does not require personal or anecdotal input. Chiropractors and chiropractic students no longer need to have “faith” in chiropractic as a viable form of health care — science is science, it stands alone absent the need for faith. Point of fact, no other profession offers what chiropractic offers in the area of spinal care. It can, and should be argued, that the chiropractic profession offers true health care due to our ability to positively impact abnormal posture and therefore, assist in the restoration of health. Chiropractic does not simply treat named diseases or conditions.
To receive patients, examine them, radiograph them, analyze the data you have gathered and finally, to present the patient with a report of findings, one must have philosophical as well as technical certainty. To offer patients comprehensive rehabilitative care in good conscience, one must have a fully developed and unimpeachable chiropractic platform to stand upon. To attempt to practice without a foundation rooted in chiropractic philosophy creates vulnerability in the area of commitment. A chiropractor may not be willing to continue with care for the patient’s benefit if one has doubt about the efficacy of the chiropractic approach.
You must develop your passion for chiropractic, if you don’t have it already. If you are a doctor who is strong on chiropractic “faith” yet short on technical edification of the chiropractic principle, then you must begin to educate yourself. Explore the research available, better yet, participate in it; assist in funding CBP® Non-Profit, Inc. and other research organizations and thereby help others with your efforts as well. I contend that the future of chiropractic depends upon a continual development of the passion of chiropractic, the “fire in the belly.” Regardless the origin of this drive, this manifestation of commitment to the chiropractic principle, is critical to our survival of the profession.
Chiropractic pioneers carried the profession a great distance on “results.” We now have the technical certainty, the substance and quality research to support what is done clinically for patients. These developments in our profession present a tremendous opportunity. I urge you to actively participate in this process for even greater benefit of the profession and the public chiropractic serves. Those responsible for the paradigm shift in the make-up of our profession must develop what they did not come by naturally or by life experience, the future of chiropractic depends upon it.
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