How many times have you talked to someone within the profession who could tell you personally about the founders of chiropractic? Have you ever spoken to a DC who was at Palmer when B.J. was still teaching? Have you ever met a DC who served time in jail for 'illegal practice of medicine,' someone who did not forsake the profession of chiropractic despite the indignity of being confined to a cell? Unfortunately, as each year passes, fewer and fewer such memories are conveyed to students and young chiropractors.
If it wasn't for the efforts of the Association for the History of Chiropractic, and some of the chiropractic college archives, our heritage would be lost. The memories and lessons of the first hundred years must be maintained and cherished forever.
As our second century begins, today's students will become the chiropractic profession of the future. New DCs will be asking you: "What was it like when...?"
As our Centennial Celebration quickly approaches, there is one question that is on everyone's mind:
"How many members of the profession will actually be there?"
A mere 20% of the chiropractic profession would equate to an attendance of over 10,000 chiropractors and students: a gathering the likes of which the profession has never seen, and probably won't see again in our lifetimes.
If you add to the party the spouses, guests and families of each DC and student who attends, you are looking at a number that quickly approaches 25,000!
What a celebration!
Chiropractic is a family affair. Every spouse, son, daughter, grandchild, and loved one of a chiropractor (or student) is a member of the extended family of chiropractic. They all know the struggles, the setbacks, and the victories. They all provide the support and commitment that has made chiropractic the great profession it is. There is no reason why your family and loved ones shouldn't be there with you.
During the next few months, they will be a number of surveys conducted by the Chiropractic Centennial Foundation, your chiropractic college alumni organization, and at least one independent marketing company to try to determine the approximate number of DCs and students who would like to be a part of chiropractic's biggest celebration ever. When you receive your survey(s), please fill them out completely with the best information you can provide at this time. Be sure to return them immediately, so that your input can be included in the decisions that will shape this great event.
As soon as the numbers are tabulated, an announcement will be made regarding the details of the Centennial: included will be registration information.
Although 1995 may seem a long time away, you will be asked to make your plans well in advance because of the commitment deadlines that will be placed on the Centennial Celebration by the various airlines and hotels to be used.
While the Chiropractic Centennial is still in the planning stages, it is sure to be a milestone in our distinguished history. With all the positive chiropractic energy from the DCs, students, family, and supporters, the effects of the gathering may be felt for decades, perhaps centuries to come.
The Centennial Foundation is not planning a centennial day, a centennial weekend, or a centennial week. This will be the Chiropractic Centennial Year. It will be our year; everyone around the world will know it.
It will be a year in which the message of drug-free health care through chiropractic will be told and retold in every country using every communication medium possible. It will be your year to stand up and be recognized by your family, friends, and community.
Years from now, when the Chiropractic Centennial Celebration is a part of our heritage, you will look back and remember 1995. And you will tell new DCs about all that took place:
the unifying of the profession worldwide;And when they see the gleam in your eyes as you reminisce, they will ask you the question that authenticates your story:the exposure and recognition by all the world; and
the catapulting of chiropractic into a new era of respect, appreciation, and utilization.
"Were You There?"
If you commit to it now, you will be able to say:
"Yes, I was there."
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?
