The "Mixers" We Need to Fear

Dear Editor:

The term mixer has evolved and changed since it was first coined by D.D. Palmer and later developed by his son B.J. "Mixing" or mixer" originally meant using the chiropractic methods they were teaching with the allopathic approach to healing.

D.D. Palmer famously said, "No thank you. I do not mix, I give chiropractic straight. If it were mixed with all other methods offered it would soon lose its identity." This was a very valid fear at the time, as they were teaching the chiropractic methods to a variety of healers. It was well-understood that those new chiropractors would offer other methods. It was the principle of chiropractic that they needed to embrace fully.

The DC who delivers a specific chiropractic adjustment to remove a subluxation that is interfering with the body's ability to fully express itself cannot and does not threaten the identify of chiropractic by offering methods other than an spinal adjustment by hand. This is especially true if the correction of subluxation is at the center of the care they provide. If the care provided is a process of revivification meant to restore or improve the expression of life and aid the patient in reaching their potential, they cannot possibly be a mixer, regardless of the methods or modalities used to meet that objective.

However, the DPT/PT, MD, DO, athletic trainer, occupational therapist, nurse practitioner and any other of the allopathic healing practitioners who have the ability to offer our methods – spinal manipulative therapies or joint mobilization – are mixers. They threaten the identity of our profession as they rebrand our methods as their own.

The mixing of the chiropractic methods with the various healing arts and their approaches to healing is a clear and present danger to our profession. We need to regain our solidarity to face these very serious threats to our profession. There is no need to continue the internal strife. We have no need to degrade our brothers and sisters. We must embrace each other with love and appreciation (solidarity) to face the true external threats that aim to replace our profession as the leading provider of spinal manipulative therapy.

B.J. Roca, DC
Seattle, Wash.

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