"For chiropractic to progress it no longer needs philosophy"

Dr. Brad Atkinson. B.App.Sci(Clin. Sci), B.Chiro.Sci, ICSSD.

Defining Chiropractic...

“Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “done by hand. http://chiropractors.asn.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=What_is_Chiropractic

The definition of Chiropractic according to the Chiropractors Association of Australia.– Chiropractic is a health care discipline based on the scientific premise that the body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body

A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment and/or manipulation with a particular focus on subluxations.World Health Organization, Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005

Defining Chiropractic...

Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, doctors of chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.The Association of Chiropractic Colleges definition, 1996 

Is everybody OK with these definitions?

Defining Progress...

Progress

a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage. advancement in general. growth or development; continuous improvement: the development of an individual or society in a direction

considered more beneficial than and superior to the previo-us level.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/progress

Defining Progress...

What is your definition of progress for Chiropractic?◦Absorbed into medicine?◦Become Mainstream?

Greater utilisation of chiropractic in society?◦ According to the public survey conducted by the

CAA(SA) 68% of the population have used Chiropractors at some stage in there life. 9% in the last month.

Independent public survey conducted by Square Holes research for the CAASA, 2010.

Does anybody have any other ideas for the progress of chiropractic?

Osteopathy in United States...

Physiologist I.M. Korr in 1974 admonished the osteopathic profession to hold fast to its principles –

“There are misapprehensions about the source of your strength. Your profession appears to believe that its strength is to be found more in the stamps of approval by self-appointed magistrates of medicine. ...As a result, you often act as though you believed your strength is to be nurtured by mimicry, by cloaks of protective coloration, by compromise of principles, by organized compliance, by appeasement, and by adaptation to what is prescribed for you by organizations of another profession.”

Now what does Osteopathy stand for in the US?

Question

Is that what you want for the future of Chiropractic?

Definition of Philosophy...

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational argument.

The word "philosophy" comes from the Greek (philosophia), which literally means "love of wisdom”.

Contrary to the beliefs of many chiropractors, philosophy is not synonymous with motivational meetings or unsubstantiated dogma. Philosophy can be divided into sub branches....

Definition of Philosophy... (cont)

The main areas of study in philosophy today include –

Metaphysics, Epistemology, Politics, Ethics, and Aesthetics (Art)

Definition of Philosophy...(cont)

“Philosophy is a necessity for a rational being: philosophy is the foundation of science, the organizer of man’s mind, the integrator of his knowledge, the programmer of his subconscious, the selector of his values”. Ayn Rand – Philosophy: Who needs it?

Ayn Rand – Philosophy: Who needs it?

"As a human being, you have no choice about the fact that you need a philosophy. Your only choice is whether you define your philosophy by a conscious, rational, disciplined process of thought and scrupulously logical deliberation, or let your subconscious accumulate a junk heap of unwarranted conclusions, false generalizations, undefined contradictions, undigested slogans, unidentified wishes, doubts and fears, thrown together by chance, but integrated by your subconscious into a kind of mongrel philosophy and fused into a single, solid weight: self-doubt, like a ball and chain in the place where your mind's wings should have grown."

Philosophy In Chiropractic...

Important questions to consider?

◦Is it necessary?

◦Is it relevant?

◦Is it Worthy of teaching in our schools?

In the Words of DD Palmer - THE CHIROPRACTOR’S ADJUSTER - Textbook of the Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic. 1910.

I am the originator, the Fountain Head .... I created the art of adjusting vertebrae; using the spinous and transverse processes as levers, with the science, art and philosophy—Chiropractic.

◦DD thought it was Necessary enough that he included it in his description of Chiropractic.

What is the relevance of Philosophy to chiropractic?

Chiropractic without Philosophy isn’t ...Chiropractic.

It is manipulation(art) of the Spine for improved mobility to treat headaches, neck and back pain (we have science to prove that).

How is this different from Manipulative Physiotherapists? Osteopaths?

For those who believe that for Chiropractic to progress it no longer needs Philosophy...

Who are you to change or alter what chiropractic is?

◦Can I change the law just because I don’t agree with other peoples views?

◦Or redefine physics because it doesn’t make sense to me?

◦Carving some stone away from the statue of David makes it no longer the statue of David.

Chiropractic is not yours to redefine.

Maybe those wishing to remove philosophy from our profession might like to use the job description of - Musculo-Skeletal Manipulative Therapists instead of Chiropractor.

Because by the definition of Chiropractic including Philosophy... Without it, they are not practicing chiropractic.

Philosophy is our Why? Maybe Simon Sinek can better describe its importance with his principle of the golden circle...

The What in Chiropractic is the art!The How in Chiropractic is the Science!The WHY is the Philosophy!

Inside to out... Could that represent chiropractic any more?

Philosophy in Education?

The Councils on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI) requires the following: "The program must comply with generally accepted standards of professional ethics." Recall that ethics is a branch of philosophy. Furthermore, CCEI lists among the required competencies that a chiropractic graduate “Appreciates chiropractic history and the unique paradigm of chiropractic health care”.(Philosophy)

The World Health Organization (WHO) -Guidelines for basic training and safety in chiropractic. World Health Organization. Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic.

This document discusses philosophy and the basic theories of chiropractic, noting: "The concepts and principles that distinguish and differentiate the philosophy of chiropractic from other health care professions are of major significance to most chiropractors and strongly influence their attitude and approach towards health care.

A majority of practitioners within the profession would maintain that the philosophy of chiropractic includes, but is not limited to, concepts of holism, vitalism, naturalism, conservatism, critical rationalism, humanism and ethics."

Philosophy in Education?

ACC Paradigm states “that the foundation of chiropractic includes philosophy, science, art, knowledge and clinical experience”. - Association of Chiropractic Colleges Chiropractic Paradigm.http://www.chirocolleges.org/ paradigm_scope_practice.html

It is my opinion that Philosophy is mandatory in education, as it is in practice.

Are you happy with your education on chiropractic philosophy?

CAA supports ...Philosophyhttp://www.caavic.asn.au/about-chiropractic

Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and a philosophy of natural health care based on your inborn potential to be healthy.

COCA supports... Philosophyhttp://www.coca.com.au/about/what-is-coca/

COCA’s Mission◦ COCA is a professional organisation that advocates

quality, safe and Ethical (Ethics) chiropractic and osteopathic practice.

COCA Stands For:◦ Education – Evidence Based Ethical Practice – Research

(Epistimology) – Inter-professional Cooperation (Politics) – Improved Community Health.

In 1980 Medical anthropologist EA Morinis wrote - Morinis EA. Theory and practice of chiropractic: An anthropological perspective. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 1980;24(3):114-9

"Only the chiropractic philosophy significantly distinguishes the chiropractic practitioner. And yet the philosophy is kept hidden away. It has done so in fear of being labeled quackery, and this was undoubtedly a good strategy to follow at one time. The public knows next to nothing of [the] chiropractic philosophy of healing and its mechanisms: If hospitals offer spinal manipulation, a chiropractor offers nothing else. This distortion of the chiropractic tradition can only be overcome by a reevaluation of the place of theory in chiropractic. ...Dispossessed of its philosophy, chiropractic is dispossessed of its uniqueness, and perhaps its future."