We Have Lost Our Way
Dear Editor:
I have been in practice for 29 years and am witness to the slow death of this magnificent profession due to one reason only: We have completely forgotten what makes us not only unique, but also superior to any other form of pain care – the power of the chiropractic adjustment. Our profession has become so obsessed with wellness care and keeping patients coming back forever. Without our sole focus on finding the root cause of the patient's pain and eliminating it, I'm afraid we will continue to languish as glorified physical or massage therapists.
This morning, I saw a new patient who had been involved in a significant motor vehicle accident. Was my focus on how much money I could collect from her med pay? Let's be honest – how many of us think this way? A lot. She came in with persistent low back pain for the past 10 weeks after seeing three other specialists. What did I find after taking a history, X-rays and exam? The pain was not coming from her low back, but her neck. One atlas adjustment on the left and her pain completely subsided. Was she amazed? Yes, but since I have already treated all of her family members, she knew I would probably help.
What are we teaching in our schools: the power of the adjustment or how to be a primary care physician? Definitely not the power of the adjustment. We can't even agree on whether X-rays are necessary before treatment. We have lost our way.
When I talk to kids just coming out of school and tell them about these types of results, their first question is: "But what about wellness care?" Until we realize the gift we have been given, I'm afraid things will only get worse ... until new graduates practice just like primary care physicians and the chiropractic adjustment becomes just another ancillary treatment.
Richard Cohen, DC
Cincinnati, Ohio
Adapt or Sink (Note: We Don't Have Enough Lifeboats)
Dear Editor:
The only way the profession is going to keep itself from implosion is to adapt – it's that simple. Chiropractic is hurting bad; I am a 2009 alumni of PCC and I can only think of a handful of friends from my class who are still practicing. I, for one, no longer practice because I had to make a choice: starve and continue to be a part of a profession that refuses to change, or support my family. I chose my family, and I feel that is the trend. In my opinion, low job prospects and cult mentality are weeding out scientific-minded people, which is hurting the profession even more. It's one vicious circle.
It took a very long time, but I feel as if I finally understand the complete opposition most chiropractic educational institutions have toward adopting advanced training to add prescriptive rights. They know that if they support continuing education that includes science and medicine, enrollment will cease to exist. Why enroll in chiropractic school when you can get the same scope as a DO, nurse practitioner or PA (by enrolling in one of their respective programs)?
Of course, that is not necessarily true. For example, there are thousands of nurses who just want to be nurses. They don't want to be "advanced practice nurses" – but the key is that they have the opportunity if they want to. The nursing profession has continuing education for those who wish to advance.
We should have this opportunity as well. The best way to combat polypharmacy is to have "prescriptive rights" – which I find ironic, because the most vocal DCs against medical intervention should be the loudest advocates for prescriptive rights. It's the only way they could actually make an impact on patients' drug use.
The answer seems so simple to me: increase our scope, which will incorporate more DCs into medical clinics and hospitals, which will lead to more jobs for DCs, which will keep sane, scientific people in the field, which will lead to advocates for potential DCs, which will lead to more enrollment in chiropractic schools.
But instead, the only action chiropractic is taking is "keeping the lights on while the Titanic sinks." And there aren't just enough lifeboats.
Blake Randles, DC
Bradley, Ill.
