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.

Get the Idea

Editor's note: This week's post is the seventh of nine short articles by the late Dr. Sanford Black.

Chiropractic Philosophy

Chiropractic Philosophy covers discussions of many different subjects. Many “How Comes”, “Whys?” and “Maybes”. One would think that after sixty years of direct Chiropractic and having been in active practice over fifty-four years this writer would be free of those unanswerable questions.

There has always been one question paramount in my mind. It has been asked of others many times and never seems to be taken seriously or given any important thought. The question can be stated very simply; “Why does the Innate response to different adjustments of different vertebra in different areas of the spine often result in a patient’s response being almost the same?”

The analysis and listing for a vertebral subluxation in the Atlanto-Occipital area will result in the Chiropractor adjusting and correcting the cause of many different subjective symptoms. The patient will be very pleased with the responses and be happy they were lucky to “Find a Good Chiropractor”.

Again this same patient may, at a different time and place, contact a different Chiropractor. Analysis and listings may cause this Chiropractor to decide that the first Thoracic Vertebra is subluxated and causing symptoms described in the initial consultation, and incidentally they are a group of symptoms very similar to the ones that the former Chiropractor dealt with successfully.

Why is success gained by both Chiropractors? Is it true that there is only one cause and one correction? Conversely, the question could be, “Why does a patient not respond to Vertebral Adjustments regardless of the analysis and listings? Does this mean that some patients have become “Hopeless Cases?”

An early days Chiropractor has often been quoted, “Get the Idea and All Else Follows”. Does this mean for a Chiropractor to find the vertebral subluxation, correctly adjust same and gorge ahead? Just like when the brown cow eats green grass and gives white milk?

The Vertebral Subluxation and the Brown Cow

Editor's note. This is the fifth installment of eight essays provided to me by Sanford Black, DC. Dr. Black was a 1947 graduate of the Palmer School of Chiropractic. He was a WWII Veteran and a Blair practitioner in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Chiropractic Philosophy

The modern Chiropractor that has a practice that is based one hundred percent on the Subluxation Complex has the most satisfying and also the very easiest of all categories of Chiropractic Practice. This statement is made without reservations or exceptions. There is one major objective; one supreme requirement; and also one absolute resultant. All else falls within the categories of Practice Management, Patient Management, Office Management, accounting procedure, practice growth procedures and Patient Education. These important procedures are taught in our Chiropractic Colleges and also in the many existent Seminars, but all are secondary to the three major concerns mentioned above.

The Primary or Major Objective in a Chiropractic Practice is the absolutely accurate location, analysis and adjustment of the vertebral subluxations. Many methods of analysis are available. Most Chiropractors use the methods that give them the most accurate analysis and the one that they have the most confidence in. Many Chiropractors have developed a routine of using more than one method in order to have a system of checks and balances to insure that their analysis is nearly one hundred percent correct at all times.

In my opinion, the Supreme Requirement in a Chiropractic Practice is, and must be, knowledge that Chiropractic Works in all patients at all times! Correction, by Chiropractic Adjustment, of the observed Vertebral Subluxations gives the Chiropractor faith, confidence and belief in himself, in his abilities, and , most important, in the Principles of Chiropractic.

The Absolute Resultant occurs with the successful vertebral adjustment. When the occlusion is no longer present the Innate can begin the recovery of the normal functions of the tissues affected. With his test results to tell him that the adjustment was successful, the Chiropractor is free to begin Case Management and Patient Management and to monitor the process of recovery. The absolute ideal would be that there was no further need for adjustments so that the Chiropractor could concentrate on patient care. Patients must be taught that further care and continued monitoring is absolutely essential for their maximum recovery. Patients should be also taught to be referral patients to their friends and family.

As the Chiropractor moves into the success mode, expecting and obtaining excellent results, he begins to realize and understand just how easy that his practice has become. Just like when the brown cow eats green grass and gives white milk.

Chiropractic Philosophy?

Editor's note. This is the third essay in a series of five from Dr. Sanford Black.

By Dr. Sanford Black

Today’s remarks are not about you and me – just the other feller. Practice mistakes are seldom ever heard about. NO one enjoys telling about their own errors but we can all learn from them. For example, if your patient does not respond properly, as expected, after being adjusted several times over a considerable length of time. A very careful and complete re-Analysis and evaluation is definitely indicated. Once you have discovered your mistake and have been properly horrified by it, your efforts will be rewarded by the patient’s favorable response.

A common mistake that is often made by the Chiropractors is the lack of understanding that we have about the Innate power within the patient’s body. When we make a preliminary consultation we often decide that the patient’s ability to recover is very, very poor. Sometimes we even refer that patient because we fail to have confidence in that particular area of human dysfunction – another mistake.

On occasion the Chiropractor is only considering a “new” acute problem. Research into the patient’s history would have revealed the long standing chronic problem underlying the initial complaint. This is very often a result of hurry and pressure of waiting patients so that enough time was not available for that particular patient.

Each Chiropractic Practice is unique and different. Each has routine procedures that often become locked in concrete. To change even a small detail in an area such as patient traffic within the Clinic is almost impossible – Another mistake!

Another common mistake made by many Chiropractors is their failure to recognize their own professional needs. Sometimes, if the truth were known, the last thin new that the Chiropractor learned was in the last period just before his graduation and award of the D.C. degree. Resistance to change and condemnation of new procedures and other new knowledge is found particularly in the mature Chiropractor in the middle of an advanced successful practice.

Enough of this subject. Philosophy can turn into meddlesome questions unless one is very careful. Just like when the brown cow eats green grass and gives white milk.

Principle #32 and the Chiropractor

Editor’s note. This article is an edit/reprint from my article in the Summer 2003 edition of “The Spinal Column”, the official newsletter of the Chiropractic Society of Texas.

As one studies Chiropractic philosophy, the one thing that strikes you is how it applies to all aspects of life. One of these basic principles is that Chiropractic philosophy flows from above-down inside-out. Intelligence flows from the SOURCE to each individual and we can take this and apply it to the issue of why a Chiropractor should belong to a state, province or national association.

In R.W. Stephenson's 1927, "Chiropractic Textbook", the 33 Principles of Chiropractic were outlined for the profession. These principles start with a major premise and then flow from above-down in a deductive fashion. Principle number 32 deals with the principle of coordination. It is defined as, "Coordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes".

First, let us look at the organism of Chiropractic and evaluate the individual parts. Above all else, the Principles of Chiropractic come first. The reason why we must start here is because these principles are the premise on which Chiropractic is based. The tenets of Chiropractic are more important than any individual association, chiropractic college or individual practicing chiropractor. These principles are timeless and are perfect.

The next item in our discuss ion involves the state, province and national chiropractic associations. Belonging to an association is very important because it allows for a collective group of Chiropractors, with the same core values and beliefs, to come together and promote and protect their point of view. We use our membership and the resources it provides to advance Chiropractic and to keep our profession a separate and distinct healing art. We must also protect it from any interlopers, such as physical therapists trying to manipulate or treat subluxations.

The office holders of these associations also play a vital role in allowing proper communication of issues concerning the advancement of Chiropractic to flow to the general membership. If this flow is interfered with, then incoordination will result and the organism (in this case the association) will lose its proper function and experience a lack of ease. Therefore, it is vital that communication flows to and from the chiropractor and the association to ensure that all parts of the organism are in a state of harmonious action.

Finally, the individual chiropractor plays an important role in expressing Chiropractic philosophy and applying this true philosophy to the general public. If the Chiropractic principles are adhered to and expressed through both the association and the individual member, we have coordinated function and as a result, we are fulfilling our offices and purposes. The end result will have positive accumulative constructive survival values for Chiropractic. Get involved!

The Typo in the 33 Principles

It is my opinion that the 33 Principles are perhaps the most scrutinized writings in Chiropractic history. However, they have stood the test of time and are as true today as they when they were first formulated by Dr. B.J. Palmer and written down in 1927 by Dr. R.W. Stephenson in "The Chiropractic Textbook".

However, I think there is one problem with them. Principle #30 (The Causes of Dis-ease) states on page xxxiii, "Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination of (emphasis mine) dis-ease."

Later in the Senior Text portion of the book, each of the 33 Principles are discussed in great detail. On page 301, Article 364, it states that the definition of the Cause of Dis-ease is, "Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination or (empahsis mine) dis-ease.

It is my opinion that this is the correct definition of Principle #30 and one typo that has gone unnoticed throughout chiropractic history. In fact, it was Dr. Rob Sinnott that first brought my attention to this matter and it makes total sense to me. Interference with Innate forces causes either incoordination or dis-ease.

The first definition brings about the question of cause and effect. Do you need to have dis-ease to cause incoordination. Are they mutually exclusive as the word "or" would indicate or is there a possessive relationship as "of" would indicate?

To me the correct wording should be "or" and I think about all the websites, posters, books, and other Chiropractic material that have carried on this typo for 82 years. I don't know about you, but I am making the correction in my Stephenson's Text Book today.