This year, the family of Dr. James Parker is commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first seminar, and the 25th chiropractic anniversary of his son, Dr. Karl Parker. There are six DCs in the Parker family, comprised of 12 adults and 10 children, with another Paker family member soon to graduate from the Texas Chiropractic College. The Parker family is calling this event the Golden-Silver Celebration.
James Parker ("Dr. Jim") graduated from Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1946, and soon had two successful practices in Illinois. When he moved to Texas, his success followed him. At one point he had 18 thriving practices across the Lone-Star state. He presented the first Parker seminar in December of 1951 in Orlando Florida, and traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Manila, China and Japan to conduct the Parker School for Professional Services (PSPS) seminars.
Dr. Jim founded Parker College, which opened in Irving, Texas in September 1982. In 1989, Dr. Parker was honored for 44 years of service to chiropractic education with a turnout of more than 8,000 chiropractic professionals in Las Vegas for the 300th Parker seminar. In the August 15, 1996 issue of DC, we presented Dr. Jim's "Remarkable 50 Years of Chiropractic Service."
Karl Parker graduated from the Texas Chiropractic College in 1969, practiced until May of 1976, and then joined his father to present seminars around the world.
Today, "Dr. Karl" and the Parker family carry on the heritage and legacy of Dr. James Parker through the Karl Parker Seminars (PKS), which are presented six times a year around the country. (PKS is not associated with the PSPS or the seminars presented by Parker College.)
"I am most pleased to have this opportunity to pay homage to my father's vision that changed the very nature and face of our profession, and has had such a great impact on my life and thousands of others," commented Dr. Karl Parker.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
