An understanding of the ongoing relationship between chiropractic medicine and philosophy is an essential scope of learning that I have experienced since my first specialization as a chiropractor at the Life University of Chiropractic (LUCC). Having been from Korea where full adoption of that new system of medical care remains unknown, my acceptance of the trend and need for more chiropractors is a necessity that must be taken back home to improve the health of the Koreans. Through my studies at the university, I came to learn that it is not only recording the symptoms and observing the specific part of the body but also checking the functioning of the whole body is necessary before giving any medication. For sure, in some cases, the body is capable of healing itself, but only upon the realization of such conditions. The general study of the immune system of the body is one thing that I would forever apply in my undertakings as a chiropractor taking into consideration the societal part of the life of the patients.
Another vital experience is the norm of preventing the emergence of a disease or complication rather than waiting until the emergence of the complication is when a doctor struggles to heal the person. For sure, none is always willing to fall sick. The body of an individual operates at optimum conditions that need maintenance to function properly (Seaman 61). The cost of prevention is much lower than the cost of curing. As a chiropractor, I believe that regardless of the wrong perception of the traditional herbal medication, there is still a necessity to maintain the body at a constant condition. For instance, a normal human body operates at 370C within all locations. Notably, a change in such conditions is an indicator of a fault within the body that needs prior correction before worsening. An understanding of the immunological functioning provides the foundation to establishing prevention. A chiropractor to is a medical doctor, and, therefore, the services offered by these professionals match the standards provided in the hospital. However, medical doctors only treat a specific symptom while chiropractor ensures restoring the functioning of the whole body of an individual to normal (Briggs 2). Therefore, in my profession as a chiropractor, I must ensure that the preventive standards are given the first priority rather than providing curative services. Moreover, I will have to ensure my clients understand the noble purpose of letting the body heal itself.
The ongoing arguments of the chiropractic services remain my great experience in my entire learning process at the university. While some practitioners believe that chiropractic guidelines relate to the philosophical understandings, other medics believe that chiropractic is an entire scope of science, and, therefore, needs addressing from the scientific perception. In my experience having learned and been involved in a series of debates, especially among the Koreans regarding chiropractic, I strongly believe that this is special medical attention and requires the application of both philosophy and science. An understanding of the relationship between reasoning and ill health helps in determining the best medication. Therefore, it is my contention to champion for an increased number of chiropractors within Korea and worldwide to counter the rising demand for such services globally. The continuity of the argument on whether chiropractic is philosophy or science is not essential. All the essential techniques such as Hands-On technique, Gonstead technique, and Activator Method are all essential in chiropractic practices.
The difference in understanding the perception of the chiropractic practices, especially the chiropractic spinal subluxation among the medical practitioners and the chiropractors is one of the major factors that influenced my interest and attitude towards building a stronger foundation in understanding the concept. According to Seaman (58), many times medical practitioners viewed the spinal subluxation radiographically imposing hypermobility. On the other hand, chiropractors viewed it as a restricted motion together with misalignment that changed the neurological function. The arguments and debates from the two medical care providers with divided opinions provided me the first understanding of the contribution of one part of the body to the impact on the other parts of the body, especially the spinal cord that acts as the control system of other body functions. Through this mechanism, I developed an interest to further the research on the philosophical principles of chiropractic services.
Contrary to my previous perception of chiropractic, presently, I strongly believe that it is the best medical care that most patients need. Regardless of how the community out there views health, the argument on “overuse” related to the services provided by the chiropractors is a mere belief that needs proper handling. The inclusive system of magnetic healing whereby a single doctor does all the examination and treatment remains a great challenge to the recovery from ill health (Stephenson 113). Specialization in different medical assistance is essential as it provides a higher efficiency and understanding of the need of the patient. The singular form of medication is dead and gone. Society, therefore, needs to adopt the technology.
I strongly believe that since there are many chiropractors in America, the same number is possible in Korea through empowering more scholars to concentrate on that field. Korea seems to lack foundational philosophy on chiropractic, contributing to the low number recorded in the past. This arises because we do not focus on understanding the need for a special system of medication other than the basic way of doing things. Throughout my study, I came to learn that the essence of well-being depends on different factors among them being the perception of people towards some complications, especially those that involve the spinal cord and other vertebral organs. The system of restoration requires a chiropractor to respond with steadiness in preventing the future emergence of such complications, which might be more severe than in the past.
Before joining the University for Chiropractic Studies, I believed in a personalized doctor who most of the time was referred to as a family doctor. The doctor could perform all the necessary medication requirements right from examination, testing, and injection among others. However, through continuous learning and interaction with different practitioners from other fields, I came to understand the need for specialization in every role within a medical center. It improved the services provided with a greater percentage than before. Markedly, my philosophy on chiropractic evolved. I came to understand the essence of adopting and appreciating change rather than sticking to the old system of doing things. Regardless of a quick fix expected by most people, I came to understand that chiropractic is based on symptoms and not instant wellness. However, the principles of philosophy still provide the necessary foundation for chiropractors. Consequently, through chiropractic studies I learned the need to inform the patients of the philosophical principles in a manner that they could hear, digest, and accept rather than presenting them in a manner that could make patients walk away without seeking medical attention.
One of the driving factors that contributed to my wide scope of experience is the understanding of chiropractic relativism. The individual perception and mode of definition drove a hot debate that left most of the students willing to find more about chiropractic. This made me go deep into the books and other scholarly articles to find the profound meaning and essence of chiropractic. To date, the debates are still underway with each chiropractor maintaining his/her dogma. Diversity in understanding chiropractic philosophy continues to create the diversity of personal philosophies with each graduate defining this concept in his/her way of understanding.
According to Daniel David Palmer, the founder of Chiropractic, the concept of “innate intelligence” portrays the ability of the body to regulate and treat itself. Further support maintains that the medication of the body through self depends on the modulation from within the body through the aid of the nervous system. Chiropractic philosophy comprises of two different views, which are holistic and vitalistic. The holistic chiropractic philosophy eliminates the negative view of the whole body as an agent of diseases. Rather, the body consists of different mechanisms capable of self-healing if immunological conditions are constantly optimum. The entire health care focuses on the personal, familial, social, and environmental factors (Stephenson 115). Within such ranges, the need for health care is minimal though not very avoidable. Most people continue to adopt the Palmer concept with the rising number of researchers and other neuroscientists relating back pain to innate intelligence.
The philosophy built of chiropractic has greater impacts on me as a future chiropractor doctor. The understanding of the need for healthy living practices is essential in maintaining normal functioning of the body, I will ensure that the people I serve receive this information to enable them to improve their lifestyles in order to limit the emergence of complications that would render them useless. In addition, the knowledge obtained would build my desire to understand physiology, pathology, neurology, and anatomy and their relationship to the immunological concepts of the body of an individual. Such understanding would advance my qualification to serve my community and country limiting congestion at most health institutions (Briggs 3).
The understanding of the need for different medical care providers within a medical facility is an essential drive for my life in relating to others. In fact, the interaction provided the essence of socialization, which is important in understanding a patient. Furthermore, through such interactions, I came to learn various ethical skills such as the use of a friendly tone while addressing a patient. In addition, the norm to listening is a practice that will enable me to allocate time for my clients to listen to their presentations before rushing to conclusions. This helps me address a client’s needs satisfactorily.
Precisely, the body of an individual consists of different parts that work together to meet a universal purpose. Innate Intelligence is the force that combines several principles of chiropractic practices to enable efficient provision of services. The understanding of chiropractic knowledge is essential for everyone in providing adequate defense mechanisms to the onset of diseases.
Works Cited
Briggs, Douglas. “How Much Is Enough? Chiropractic Philosophy in the “New” Health Care.” Dynamic Chiropractic 32.11 (2014): 1-4. Print.
Seaman, David. “Philosophy and Science versus Dogmatism in the Practice of Chiropractic.” Journal of Chiropractic Humanities 8.1 (2000): 55-66. Print.
Stephenson, Ralph. Chiropractic Textbook. Davenport: Palmer School of Chiropractic, 1948. Print.