On Being Grateful: Will Chiropractic Survive?

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday.

A time for family and friends to come together and reflect on all the blessings and reasons to be grateful.

This Thanksgiving finds me reflecting on what we have as a profession to be grateful for.

While on the surface it may not seem to be much as we find the profession locked in a tailspin towards medicalization and eventually becoming unrecognizable, I continue to see much hope and inspiration that the profession will indeed become sustainable and break the current pattern.

That hope comes from the many individuals I have come to know in the past few years who are unafraid to speak up against the status quo on both sides of the fence and who continue to work diligently towards sustainable solutions.

The inspiration comes from the actions of our adversaries and well-intended colleagues. Needed fuel to propel us forward and gain momentum towards our goals.

Hope comes from the many students demanding a rigorous, relevant and congruent chiropractic education and leaders willing to stand for the same.

Inspiration comes from the pioneers who came before us and made sacrifices far greater than any of us will ever have to.

My ultimate inspiration, however, comes from a deep understanding of the value of chiropractic to humanity. The same source that fueled our forefathers and mothers.

There is nothing that can stop an idea of this magnitude.

My hope and prayer for this holiday season is that chiropractors and students challenge themselves and our leaders to become closer to the chiropractic philosophy and objective personally, in practice and in politics, and that they invest more of their time, talent and treasures towards advancing this great profession to humanity.

For suggested ways to accomplish this, I offer the following:

1. Read R.W. Stephenson’s Chiropractic Textbook and Rob Sinnott’s Textbook of Chiropractic Philosophy
2. Register for the Sherman College of Chiropractic Academy of Chiropractic Philosopher’s program.
3. Join the International Federation of Chiropractors and Organizations
4. Donate to the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation
5. Support Vertebral Subluxation Research and Publication by subscribing to these journals.
6. Join the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association