Let's remember our profession's home is Iowa. Our profession took root in places peopled by honest, hard-working country folks. Farmers, who were under the rigors of the elements and who had to meet the demands of the schedule of their work, were our first research laboratories. Our methods developed as we kept dairy ranchers and pig farmers working.
Our patients were salt-of-the-earth, and so were we; that's why we got along, survived, and prospered. This is in the basic character of our profession.
In the country, people value doing what's right by your neighbor. They name what's real, but their words are sparse. They deal with troubles by making best use of limited resources. They have fortitude. They seem to take things in stride, and don't get stressed out.
There's a special way country people cultivate honesty, respect, and basic trust among themselves. They can pull together to meet the challenges of living. We can be like that.
I treasure my memories of the time I spent with country chiropractors who had small town practices. Their waiting rooms were filled with people who cared for, were grateful to, and respected their doctor. Doctors earned those feelings from patients by their down-to-earth, honest, generous, caring way.
If you're not familiar with the feelings, get to know chiropractors who are like that. Read about it. Think about it. Talk about it.
Our centennial celebration is a time to look at our roots as a profession. During special times of memory, we can sift through everything that has occurred, both the good and the bad. We can let the bad pass by, and let go of it. We reach out once again and grasp what is valuable to us.
These are not the 1890s. We've got to adopt to stresses and demands that our country chiropractor forefathers were spared. We have to be busy, urbane, sophisticated, technological, and professional. We have to fight for our place in the changing health care delivery system in ways that take their toll on us.
That's why it's especially important to connect with our basic character, our basic down-home goodness. It can be a source of much needed inspiration. It is possible to create the spirit of the best things about a small, country town in your life right now.
The words and melody of a country-western song have been on my mind recently. Sung by Waylon Jennings, the song cheers me as I'm moving along the way to being happier.
Some of the words to the song are: "Let's go to Lukenbach, Texas ... This successful life we're livin' got us feudin' like the Hatfields and McCoys ... Maybe it's time we got back to the basics -- of love."
Linda Elyad, DC
Continuing to impress the advertising and marketing world, The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) has again been recognized by industry organizations for its excellence in educating consumers on the benefits of chiropractic, this time through social media, newsletters, and demonstrating thought leadership by promoting holistic well-being.
Dr. Louis Sportelli received the Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award during the annual conference of the Association for the History of Chiropractic (AHC). During his nearly 60-year career, Dr. Sportelli has embodied the spirit of the award, given to “living individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the chiropractic profession.”
Presently there is no consensus on the best treatment for Achilles tendon rupture; and its management is still controversial. The treatment options are conservative treatment and surgical repair. With either treatment, be it conservative or surgical, Achilles tendon tears necessitate prolonged recovery and rehabilitative management.
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