As long as there is more than one of the human species roaming the planet, there will doubtless be differences of opinion -- if not outright conflict. And it isn't exactly news that within the chiropractic profession there have long been two separate and distinct camps, namely the pro-straights and the pro-mixers.
These two philosophical factions have long engaged in ambitious (and often heated!) dialogue of their opposing views. However as the chiropractic profession continues to mature, it becomes ever critical for all concerned to enter into a more constructive dialogue -- one of positive communication of mutual concern, mutual goals, and tempered with recognition and tolerance of mutual rights.
Dynamic Chiropractic's associate editor, Richard Tyler, DC, has demonstrated his sometimes controversial, but nonetheless great capability in presenting a pro-mixer point of view in many of his editorials. Starting this issue, a search for someone to present the pro-straight point of view has ended.
Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we announce James W. Healey, DC as one of "DC's" new columnists. Dr. Healey describes himself as a "pro-straight." In fact, he belongs to the Garden State Chiropractic Society, (the straight chiropractic state organization New Jersey), the Federation of Straight Chiropractic Organizations (FSCO) and has recently joined the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) as a straight chiropractor. He is also the current president of SCASA.
Dr. Healey graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1981 from Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic. Since then, in addition to maintaining a private practice, he has held the office of vice president for FSCO; has sat on the board of directors for the Garden State Chiropractic Society; the board of regents for Sherman College, and the board of trustees for SCASA. He has also held various administrative and teaching positions for both Sherman and Pennsylvania Colleges of Straight Chiropractic.
Dynamic Chiropractic has long endeavored to provide its readers with a greater understanding of a broad range of topics by inviting recognized experts in the various chiropractic specialties to write a column in our pages. These columns have frequently sparked great interest and insightful views from the field. And this, we believe, is as it should be. We hope that you will enjoy Dr. Healey's new column, "A Straight Point of View," and his first article for that column.
When I graduated from chiropractic college in 1981 and started practice, I heard it all, and very little was positive. “You are a quack; you do not know what a subluxation is; you couldn’t get into a real health care program, so you chose the one that is slightly above a mail-order degree; you have no proof that chiropractic works; Are you really licensed?”, and so much more.
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A central challenge in creating our identity is that chiropractic is a method of care, not a technique or procedure. This is an important concept for us to promote. Our patients are treated with lifestyle modification, exercise, nutritional supplements, diet and a whole-body approach to accelerate the natural healing process. We are not simply CMT providers.
The results of a global survey released late last year (2023) unveiled some startling findings among medical and nursing students. The “Clinician of the Future: 2023 Education Edition” surveyed 2,212 students, of which 446 were in the United States, from 91 countries.
