During the settlement of the United States, the American Indians, beaten by the US Calvary, were relegated to Indian reservations on what was then considered "worthless" land. They were put in a place that was all "theirs," as long as they kept to themselves and away from everyone else.
But time changes all things. The reservation land in Oklahoma, for example, was not conducive to farming and ranching, but then very large reservoirs of oil were discovered on the reservation. Suddenly, there were those trying to reclaim that worthless land back from the Indians for the oil rights. Yes, the land did belong to the Indians, but that didn't keep others from trying to take it away from them once its real value had been realized. Unfortunately, the Indians did indeed loose much of those oil rights.
What was first thought worthless was found to be priceless.
The same can be said for the chiropractic adjustment or "spinal manipulation," as it is called by some. The MDs didn't want anything to do with it. They called it quackery (worse than useless), and tried to wipe it out all together.
The DOs traded the worthless adjustment for respectability and the ability to use drugs and surgery. They gave up their "birth right" for what seemed to be a better profession.
Now that the real value of spinal manipulation has been realized, there are "others" who want to take it away from us. They see the true value and think for chiropractic profession too weak and ignorant to keep it.
The RAND study shows that chiropractors deliver 95% of all spinal manipulation1. We currently own the land, but can we defend it against those who desire to take if from us?
An article in the June 26, 1995 issue of the American Medical News talks about how osteopaths are "moving into mainstream." With the ability to use drugs, surgery and osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT), they see themselves as "the total physician." An associated article talks about how OMT is entering "a renaissance," citing the Harvard study on nontraditional health care, the AHCPR guidelines, rising osteopathic student interest, special CPT codes for OMT, and the fact that a few MDs are enrolling in osteopathic colleges to learn OMT. The issue contained still another article talking about how DOs are gaining "Acceptance, stature in organized medicine."
They want our land.
A week before the Chiropractic Centennial Celebration was held at the Convention Center in Washington, DC, the physical therapists held their 12th International Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. Over 8,000 PTs from 65 countries came together for a week of education and fellowship. When was the last time a national chiropractic meeting featured 8,000 DCs?
The event featured commemorative clothing, promotional kits for children, a new history book, hundreds of speakers and almost 500 exhibitors. Rest assured, spinal manipulation was included in the program.
These are just two examples of the forces that are organizing to take manipulation/adjusting away from the chiropractic profession. Obviously, political medicine would rather work with PTs and DOs than admit the value of the chiropractic adjustment.
Now the question is, what are we going to do about it?
While we may deliver 95 percent of the "manipulation," we still serve a very small part of the population. We know everyone experiences back pain at some point in their lives. Why don't we see them?
On the eve of our second century, many in this profession seem apathetic, depressed, unable to energize their lives or their practices. Opportunity is knocking louder than ever before, and we don't seem to be able to find the energy to get up and open the door.
If you have time to read this article, you have time to reflect on your chiropractic life. Tell everyone not to disturb you for 15 minutes, shut the door, and think about where you are.
Is your life as a DC going the way you want it to?
Are you excited and happy about your chiropractic practice?
If not, what do you need to do about it?
What does this profession need to do as a whole to take advantage of the many opportunities awaiting us?
When are we going to start?
How are you going to help make it happen?
Now that you have taken this assessment, what should your attitude be every day when you open your office door?
Remember when you decided to be a chiropractor? Try to recapture some of what you dreamed about becoming.
Yes, these are hard times for all health care providers. This is an era where the fate of entire professions rest in how they take advantage of the changing market place. But, as usual, the future of your practice depends on YOU.
Now is the time to do everything you can to make it the best it can be. You know what you need to do.
1. Shekelle PG, Adams AH, Chassin MR, Hurwitz EL, Phillips RB, Brook RH. The Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Low-back Pain; Project Overview and Literature Review, 1991a, RAND Corp., Santa Monica, Calif. (Document #R-4025/1-CCR/FCER).
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