Retracting vs. Reacting

Editor's note: This is the last post by Dr. Sanford Black. Dr. Black was a great chiropractor and an even better friend. I miss his gentle nature and sage advice. I tell all of my chiropractic students that they are a beautiful painting that is always being worked on. Your loved ones, friends, mentors and colleagues continually get an opportunity to put brush strokes on your painting. Some put more colors and bigger brush strokes than others, but everyone you come in contact with have an opportunity to paint on your life. I appreciate Dr. Black's contributions to my chiropractic understanding. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share his message with the chiropractic world.

Reaction vs. Retracing

In Chiropractic Philosophy these two terms are not the same and should never be used interchangeably.

Early clinical observations noted that a patient often seemed to pass through each phase that they had passed through in getting to the point of their first Chiropractic care. Usually it was determined to be a t a lesser degree of severity and for a shorter term of time.

Explanation of this to the new patient prior to the start of the patient’s care was helpful in the education of the patient. This was a noticeable occurrence that the patient could see, and gave the patient positive knowledge that his Chiropractic care was to be successful. This retracting, noted by the Chiropractor, and also instilled confidence that the patient is responding in the desired way.

On the other hand, the term “Reaction” often has the connotation of adverse reaction as commonly referred to as “side effects”. In many cases it will indicate to the Chiropractor that his analysis and delivery of the vertebral adjustment are not correcting the vertebral subluxation and need to be re-studied. An example, one of many, could be when the patient experiences vertigo right after receiving the adjustic thrust. This has been clinically noted in those cases that fail to respond and obtain the expected improvement.

Disorders of function respond so predictably and so readily to Vertebral Adjustment that many Chiropractors seek this type of patient primarily and, thus, avoid the “pain abatement” type of practice. They have found that the results of correct analysis and precision vertebral adjusting result in the conclusion, “IT WORKS”; just like when the brown cow eats green grass and gives white milk.

Diagnosis vs. Analysis

Editor's note: This is the eighth installment of a series of chiropractic philosophy short essays by Dr. Sanford Black. Dr. Black was a 1947 graduate of the Palmer School of Chiropractic and practiced in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Chiropractic Philosophy

Diagnosis or Chiropractic Analysis? Which is usually used to determine that the new patient is to be accepted for care in the Chiropractic Office? Which is actually so very important in the initial process of determining the case management and the eventual successful care of the Chiropractic Patient?

In Diagnosis, the various and sundry test findings, the observation of the patient, the consultation where initial complaints are noted and added to the other findings. Theses all indicate to the physician that a certain diagnosis may be listed as the “Initial Diagnosis” with the reservation that further into the treatment that diagnosis may be amended or changed entirely.

In Chiropractic Analysis, the Chiropractor initially records a history, including patient’s initial complaints. To determine if there is a Vertebral Subluxation present there are various tests and observations necessary. When it is determined that Vertebral Subluxations are indicated it is then that the location within the spine must be decided. Measurements of the heat differentials in the tissues over the posterior spinal nerves usually give information as to the general location of the Vertebral Subluxation. Palpation and X-Ray Spinographs then give the Chiropractor the knowledge to make the corrective adjustment.

Results of unlimited tests of body fluids will not indicate in any way the location of the Vertebral Subluxation. Results obtained from various chemical stimuli will not indicate the proper way to achieve a correction of a Vertebral Subluxation.

There are no compelling reasons for the Doctor of Chiropractic to even attempt a diagnosis. There are a great number of reasons for him to be absolutely sure that all factors involved in the correction of the subluxation have been correctly determined. The successful results of patient care are dependant on all the things that were observed in the Chiropractic Analysis being correct to the point of perfection. Results then occur naturally, just like when the brown cow eats green grass and gives white milk.