Chiropractic Could Grow to a Prominence, Prestige and Demand Never Seen Before
FEATURE
PERSPECTIVE
Van D. Merkle
DC, DABCI, DCBCN, CCN
Actual Comment From a DC
“I see patients’ joints being eroded and destroyed, even without injury or accident. These patients have jobs that require mild exertion, like a receptionist, teacher, or salesperson.” This DC offers no nutrition or vitamin therapy—just adjustments. He wonders why this happens even though he regularly adjusts these patients.
According to the “straight” philosophy, it should not be happening. This is what most DCs teach and promote in their marketing plans as well as patient management programs. Many chiropractic colleges and practice management programs also encourage this. So why? Why do DCs develop DJD, osteoarthritis, and other degenerative joint and bone diseases if the “straight” philosophy is valid? If all we need to do is adjust the spine once a month or even once a week, will that prevent DJD?
Inconsistency
When attending large DC conferences, I find incongruity in what is taught and promoted with what I observe in the doctors attending, as well as in the lecturers themselves. DJD is rampant. Poor posture and spinal DJD is very clear, and, in fact, the DCs look no different or healthier than the general population. If our philosophy is valid, shouldn’t DCs be a beacon of health to be emulated by other professions and aggressively sought by the general population?
B.J. and D.D. Palmer
“I have never considered it beneath my dignity to do anything to relieve human suffering.”
D. D. Palmer’s own words describing his magnetic healing practice. There was nothing “crude” about this adjustment; it was specific.
If chiropractic were to be invented today, how would it be different? I’m not claiming to be an expert on everything concerning D. D. and B. J. Palmer, but would the Palmers approve of acupuncture, electrical therapies, ultrasound therapy, vitamin therapy, and other treatments used in the common chiropractic office today and taught in most chiropractic colleges? Would they have embraced the technology of today to enhance their practice and treatment of patients?
Sure, the Palmers developed the adjustment and early philosophy, but they also used physical therapy and magnetic healing. Who knows what they would be doing today? I am sure they would be using more than just an adjustment, contrary to what so many DCs believe and do in the name of B. J. and D. D. Palmer.
Every business and profession seeks to enhance and expand their offerings to attract more business, as well as be more efficient and effective in providing their services. I should say every business or profession except one—chiropractic. In fact, sadly, some DCs actively try to stifle progress for chiropractic. Is there anyone who would like to drive a car with only the accessories available 100 years ago, or do without their cell phones and internet? Do you think ophthalmologists, surgeons, or auto mechanics would be just fine using only what was available 100 years ago?
I would like to ask all chiropractors why would B. J. Palmer have a blood test laboratory? It seems to go against what most believe of B. J., D. D., and many “straight” chiropractors espouse. I believe that the Palmers were innovators and leaders of health, but would they practice the same today?
Adjustment Response
First, I think that we all agree that our environment and foods are vastly different from 100 years ago. Back then, all foods were “organic” with no glyphosate, herbicides, or various chemical exposures we have today. Over the years, I have asked DCs who have been in practice for more than 30 years one question while lecturing throughout the country. Do they notice that the chiropractic adjustment is not as effective as it was 30 years ago? An overall majority agree that patients do not respond as quickly to an adjustment as in years past because the overall health of the United States population has declined. The epidemic of chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancers, inflammation, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle will affect one’s ability to respond to an adjustment.
Toxic Environment
We live in the most toxic environment the world has ever seen. There are many more factors the modern DC needs to consider compared to what the Palmers had to contend with 100 years ago. When I was growing up, cancer was spoken about in hushed voices because it was uncommon. Back then, approximately one out of 30 people were diagnosed with cancer. Today, it is estimated that one out of two people will get cancer, and one out of five women will develop breast cancer.1
In the U. S., one in two women and one in three men will develop cancer in their lifetime. Now, a similar rate has been reported in the U.K., with a new study published in the British Journal of Cancer claiming one in two men and women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. Currently, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 12%. This means there is a one in eight chance she will develop breast cancer.
In fact, at least in the U.S., is it possible that there are factors more important to address than a subluxation? Is it possible that the environmental or epigenetic factors are causing the “subluxations?”
Chiropractic Today
D. D. and B. J. were limited by the technology and knowledge of their time as well as the education they received. Considering the current environmental factors and chronic disease epidemic, I believe the Palmers would provide far more than an “adjustment” to help their patients with the multifactorial health conditions that exist today.
Today’s chiropractors are highly trained in a variety of areas, and all states allow chiropractors to provide much more than an adjustment. We are trained to be real doctors, not just spinal adjustors. Every state allows DCs to order blood work, X-rays, and scans. Many chiropractors have board certifications in acupuncture and more. What is really disappointing is that even though DCs have the ability to practice broadly, they limit their practice and treatment to just an adjustment. I believe many DCs do not use all of their legal capabilities, whether because of following the status quo, being afraid of liability and of taking a greater responsibility for their patients’ health, or simply lack of desire or drive.
We all treat patients who have heart disease, cancers, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and hypertension. We are all trained to do so much more than adjust. I believe that if we are to survive as a profession, we need to utilize all of the modalities the law allows that early pioneers of chiropractic fought so hard to obtain.
Insurance Hindrance
In the ’70s and ’80s, workers’ comp, personal injury, and insurance started to pay for chiropractic services. This had the effect of dumbing down chiropractors. Practice management groups and some colleges even modified their curriculum to take advantage of insurances. This reduced the emphasis on treating the whole patient and focused on just the spine and treatments insurance would pay. It appears that the “straight” practitioners and promoters today are not the true followers of the Palmers, but DCs who allow insurance to dictate their practice at the expense of their patient’s health. This type of practice appears concerned about money or what insurance will pay for, rather than what is needed and best for their patients.
The Ultimate Question
Let me ask all DCs a question. If your patients need more drugs, is your adjustment enough? If your patients need drugs at all, is your adjustment enough? I think the answer is obvious since many DCs are on so many drugs. Based on D. D. Palmer’s quote, the Palmers today wouldn’t limit their practice to spinal manipulation. They would do everything they could to help their patients optimize their health. This is where chiropractic needs to progress as a profession.
“How many DC’s are really doing everything they can to “relieve human suffering” of their patients?”
Dr. Van D. Merkle DABCI, DCBCN, CCN, is an August 1982 graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic. He is board certified in clinical nutrition and a board-certified clinical internist, who has practiced in Centerville, Ohio for over 35 years. He is the founder, developer and president of Science Based Nutrition (SBN) - a laboratory and nutrition, patented computer analysis system. He has been the host of the talk show Take 2 Healthcare on WHIO 95.7 FM every Saturday 11AM to noon for over 25 years. Contact Dr. Merkle at 937-433-3140/ www.sciencebasednutrition.com
References
1. Whiteman, Honor. “ 7 in 2 people will develop cancer in their lifetime ’. ” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Inti, 4 Feb. 2015. Web. 20 Sep. 2019. https:// www. medicalnewstoday. com/articles/288916.php
2. Adams, Greg. “History of Dr. Daniel David Palmer - The Father of Chiropractic and Dr. Bartlett Joshua Palmer - The Developer of Chiropractic. ” Http: //Www. wakarusachiropractic. com health_page. Php?Page =Default&Page =palmer history, Wakarusa Family Chiropractic, hup: www.wakarusachiropractic.com/health _page.php?page=default&page =palmer history.
3. “How Common Is Breast Cancer?” Cancer.org, American Cancer Society, 8 Jan. 2019, https://www. cancer.org cancer breast-cancer about how-common-is-breast-cancer.html#written by.
