Scam of the century?

As much as we chiropractors dont like to admit it, our profession still has a very strong stigma attached to it. That might partly be due to the chiropractors out there who abuse the doctor-patient relationship, maybe leftover from the olden days when chiropractic was still very unorganized and looked down upon by the medical profession (that bias still exists to a certain point, I think it is improving, however). I myself am a very open-minded individual, and don't listen to these negatives influences. I am a person who likes to see things for myself, and make my own mind up about such things. However, for those out there who need more convincing, here's how I see things: some people say chiropractic is a sham treatment. However, you have to take into consideration that chiropractic has been around for over a hundred years! Even though it might have a slightly sordid past, in economical terms, if a treatment doesn't help people, then it would have been snuffed out soon after it had started! The same goes for acupuncture, I dont see how people can bash a treatment that's been around for thousands and thousands of years. The saying "Don't knock it 'till you try it" is true! I actually had not been adjusted before I went to chiropractic college. Blind faith, if you will. The first adjustment is really the sun coming through the clouds, you don't realize what you're missing until you try it out. I really wish the minority of shady chiropractors would either clean up their act, or go into a different line of work, because they really hinder the progression of what is otherwise a great therapy. I've heard tell of a few chiropractors in the Portland are that have gone around "hard-selling" chiropractic, which basically means they go places and tell people they NEED to be adjusted or BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN!!!! That really makes me upset, on several levels. First off, nobody should be spoken to in that way, we are all competent adults, capable of making our own health decisions. Secondly, as I said previously, it just doesn't reflect well on an otherwise good profession. This rings especially true in Maine, where people are trustworthy, and expect the same in others. As a result of these chiropractors, a lot of people have written off chiropractic care altogether. I find that sad, and if I can spread the word that it's not as horrible as these shady chiropractors have made it out to be, I would like to do that as much as possible. I am a service-oriented person, and want to give back to the community as much as I can. If anybody has any good ideas of how I can do that, I would appreciate any suggestions! I have considered offering a week of free chiropractic care, with the stipulation of asking for a donation to go to the United Way of Portland, something along those lines. Does anybody think that would go over well in the area? I'm willing to do pretty much anything to clean up the image of chiropractic, because I think it's something that will benefit people immensely!

Tenacity of Hope

An official apology to Obama for hoodwinking his title, but I like it. Anyway, I was stumbling the other day, and I came across an interesting article. The premise was that in health care, a practitioner shouldn't necessarily be judged solely on his or her degree, but rather by their character. I find that to be relevant with any profession, but especially with health care. How many people have stories about a visit to the doctor..of any discipline..where they were made to wait for endless periods of time..in a waiting room..only to get ushered into a small exam room, and made to wait, and wait, and wait...only to have a hurried doctor burst into the room, spend 5 frantic minutes with the patient, and then the doctor just as abruptly flies out to meet his next patient? I don't believe this health care model to be beneficial for anybody involved. It cheats the patient out of valuable time to speak with the doctor about the patient's health concerns, and it greatly stalls the formation of a valuable doctor-patient relationship. It is also hard on the doctor, who may be forced to rush from room to room without the ability to adequately treat the patient. Who is to blame for this strange health care model that we seem to have fallen prey to? While it is not wise or prudent to point fingers, it seems that doctors should have the final say in how their office is run. I personally like to sit down and have a conversation with a patient, to get a feel for what their health concerns are, and to find a real solution that works for everybody involved. I fully acknowledge my limitations as a chiropractor. I do not write prescriptions for drugs. If a patient presents with a problem which necessitates the need for such intervention, I would find it my duty to refer the patient to the proper practitioner. However, I am a proponent for finding other ways of leading patients to their pinnacle of health, through lifestyle changes and mindful living. I guess my point in this is that it would benefit everybody to be mindful in their health practitioner choices, and to find someone that works for them, and to not be complacent in these choices. It is, afterall, a free market, and by voicing our desires for a better health care model, we are changing the world as we see it, one bit at a time.