The problems start at school; lines on x-rays, palpation for misalignment, etc., are required course work. Ironically, each technique has its own marking system. One technique might deal only with the atlas-axis, another C5, and another the sacrum. Some are measured in degrees and other in millimeters. We have developed very sophisticated x-ray devices to check patient motion and all types of "whirlygigs" to analyze those infinitesimal changes in bony position. We also have techniques with leg checks to determine whether the atlas is right or left, or if the sacrum is posterior. The level of sophistication we have developed to determine bony alignment is quite remarkable.
Technique manuals show bones "jumping" out of place, some in the anterior direction, some posteriorly. The list of technical devices used to measure, define, and treat the myth is endless. Dr. Faye once related a story of a new car owner. After purchasing the car, the driver noticed that he could not see out the front windshield. Inadvertently the manufacturer had failed to remove the protective opaque covering from the windshield. The car owner proceeded to spend thousands of dollars in "technowhirlygigs" such as special cameras, TV screens and such in order to be able to drive his new care without looking through the windshield. One fine day he realized that the only problem was the windshield covering had not been removed.
When will chiropractors let go of the myth? The joints in our body are deigned to move, not reside in one static position. Every joint in our spine moves with each inspiration or nod of our head. Our profession is wasting valuable time and resources propagating a myth.
Our founders endeavored to escape the medical model and offer an alternative to drugs and surgery. Each year brought new advances and discoveries that continued to improve our profession. As a profession, we have accepted that chiropractic is a science and have benefitted from the increases in our education in the field of anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, etc., but we have failed to accept the most important discovery concerning our profession, joints move!
Terry Elder, DC
Winfield, Kansas
Dr. Terry Elder graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in 1987, and maintained a private practice in Kansas prior to coming to National University where he has been an instructor in chiropractic medicine for more than 17 years. Dr. Elder serves on the postgraduate faculty of NUHS and Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, and has been an instructor with the Motion Palpation Institute for over 25 years.