We have many of the finest technicians (those capable of LACVS) in the history of the profession and some of the most philosophically ignorant chiropractors. The sad thing is that many chiropractors fit into both categories.
We have many of the finest technicians (those capable of LACVS) in the history of the profession and some of the most philosophically ignorant chiropractors. The sad thing is that many chiropractors fit into both categories.
Who would you rather have, to adjust you, the philosopher or the technician? I know you have access to both, but if you had to pic one or the other?
I would choose the philosopher.
I have always kept this saying close by – “Where the spirit does not work, with the hand there is no art” – Leonardo Da Vinci
Nice quote Straight. I haven’t heard that one before. Thanks.
If I had to choose one it would be the technician. I’ve had forces delivered by some amazingly strong philosophical chiros that will never touch my spine again (ALL present company on this board who’s checked my spine excluded!).
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When I did technique seminars with Reggie we did one up in Montreal where we had the majority of attendees from CMCC. Not the most philosophical school I’m sure you’ll agree. We video taped pre and post instruction and the results we nothing less than amazing. I manned the camera and remember one particular young lady who upon “checking” the cervical spine of her “patient” literally just grabbed his neck and ripped it both ways with zero pause or pre/post check. Under my breath I accidentally had a slip of the tongue.
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At the end of the 1st day it was time to go to the video tape (for all you Warner Wolf fans!). I was in the back of the room, Reg was up front manning the vcr. One by one we analyzed the technical applications when we came upon this one young lady. A cold sweat broke out when I realized the volume was all the way up so all could hear the 4th of July that went off in that poor fellows neck, followed by my, um, not so quiet “reaction”!
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Could have heard a pin drop on the carpet except for what sounded like a sob. Turns out the young lady was mortified at what her technique had turned unto. At the end of day 1 I ended up working with a handful of people while Reggie and a number of others hit the sushi bar! LOL By the end of day 2 that young lady left the young lady of day 1 in the dust. The same was true for many others.
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We worked on their technical application. The greatest safety one can offer their people is to be excellent TECHNICIANS. Being philosophically sound does not guarantee one being an excellent technician (even though many THINK they are! LOL), but being an excellent technician will only be enhanced by being philosophically sound.
Tom, I consider you one of the most knowledgeable philosophers and the best technician I know, so I respect your opinion. My question to you is: “do you think that you would be as skilled in your technique if you did not have the foundation of the philosophy?”
P.S. I think that I, not Steve, should be the only one allowed to ask trick questions:)
Thank you Joe, and would add ditto to you. I didn’t travel back down to Philly (2+ hours each way) countless times when I first returned to NY to have my spine checked by you without good reason! 🙂
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Tough question Joe as I’ve always had the philosophical foundation from my training in spinology (thank you Reg), and the constant refinements from you and your writings (thank you Joe!). Almost 30 years later and I still look at every spine check with new eyes as I’m continually trying to refine my applications; something I owe totally to the philosophical principles. Would I be as proficient without the foundation? Probably not.
Sorry Joe,
Did not get your response yet.
I remember an old saying….Head, Heart and Hands. Which to me translates as knowledge, desire and skill. As in any triune, 2 out of three just doesn’t cut it.
Steve is that a matter of which 2 out of 3 you are talking about? Also,my understanding of that phrase is a little different. Head means academic understanding, (“I understand what you are saying, I’ll regurgitate it back to you on the test but I don’t accept it”)what students who went to Sherman (or ADIO)get/got, heart means applicable knowledge, the difference whether the Sherman student becomes a mixer or straight and of course hands is as you say, technical skill.
Sorry, forgot to turn the “bold” on and off at the right spot. It should have read but I don’t accept…
My offering was not so cynical. Learn it, love it, do it. That is the ChiropracTOR I want behind me.
While the question is interesting, ultimately, the choice won’t be there. ALL the EXCELLENT technicians without a stable philosophical platform to stand on… will become therapeutic and will be a medical addendum just like the osteopaths. All the while the strong philosophers will ALWAYS practice the chiropractic objective for as long as they live and continue to light up one candle at a time ad infinatum… Tom is correct to post that “being an excellent technician will only be enhanced by being philosophically sound.”
… and will insure their existence as separate and distinct from EVERYTHING else!