Straights and Mixers: What Do We Have in Common?

I have followed with interest the different ways and reasons Drs. Gelardi and Winterstein have put forward for why there should be a difference between "straights and mixers" (both terms belong to the history of our profession and are outdated.) It is an extension of the clashing of personalities that has kept the ICA and ACA apart for so many years. In doing so, it has greatly affected progress and research in our profession. Imagine if all this money could have been put to use for the unified advancement of chiropractic!

We broke down barriers in South Africa 18 years ago. We had to, or else we were faced with extinction as a profession. Only then did we realize how much we chiropractors had in common. Today we stand as a strong unified profession and we are very proud of it!

So, what do we have in common?

1. We are different enough to believe that there is an alternate approach to health, that is why we did not become MDs.


2. We all believe that the integrity of the nervous system is of utmost importance in obtaining optimum health. Our avenue of approach is the spine. Every chiropractic college teaches that!


3. We all believe in doing what is best for the patient within the parameters of the profession of chiropractic.


4. We all understand the simple, logical approach upon which the profession was founded, just as we realize that modern technology has advanced and in many cases to our benefit -- also to be used by us to the advantage of the patient.


5. We also realize that you don't practice chiropractic to re-invent it every day. It is a young and dynamic profession and one cannot afford to be dogmatic and hold back its growth. The principle will grow with or without chiropractors.


6. Just as we don't become paramedics, so we also don't want to be technologists. To try to define the profession in order to accommodate the exception is shortsighted.


7. Whereas we realize that in order to practice chiropractic we need to perfect the art of adjusting vertebrae, we also realize the persons will pursue the profession in order to investigate and research it. They too must be given elbow room to prove or disprove.


8. We can, with pride, look back on the beginnings and growth of our profession. We have had great leaders who, at all odds, stood by their guns to establish an alternative approach in health. Chiropractic today -- straight or mixer -- is very different to what it was in 1895. We have all changed and we have all benefitted from it.


9. We are really only different because it pleases some individuals to be defined that way. In time, we will be one profession. It is just a pity that some still choose to want it their way.


10. If you can love your fellow-man, surely you can love a fellow- chiropractor.

Come on America, is it really so difficult? Do you have to put soiled linen on the line every day? I believe you can come around and for once put your money where it is really needed.

Editor's note: Good advice from Dr. Boshoff. Seems a shame; if they've been able to accomplish this in South Africa, why can't we do the same here in the U.S.A.?