Where does the objective straight chiropractic philosophy begin and end? How can a chiropractor be sure that when he is explaining something to a practice member, he is within the boundaries of straight chiropractic? We have discussed this issue before but since it came up recently on the internet, I thought I would give it a little more thought and some added comment. Straight chiropractic actually is confined to some very limited parameters. Objective straight chiropractic is limited to locating, analyzing and correcting vertebral subluxation so the inborn wisdom of the body can be more fully expressed. However, when it comes to the philosophy that supports that objective, it is not as easy to know what is objective straight chiropractic and what is not. From a practical standpoint, various issues come up, such as the appropriateness of having lending libraries in the office and lifestyle recommendations regarding diet, rest, exercise, and the prevention of vertebral subluxations. A better understanding of the philosophy will better equip us to handle these issues.
First, we must realize that the objective straight chiropractic philosophy is part of a larger philosophy of life, which we in chiropractic call the above-down, inside-out (ADIO) philosophy. Chiropractic is only one small part of that philosophy. In fact, the ADIO philosophy encompasses just about every facet of the human experience. (See the accompanying chart on the following page). It is a thinking process which gives a person a particular perspective of life. Notice the placement of the objective straight chiropractic philosophy, that part of the ADIO philosophy that we apply to what we do. We are not psychologists or sociologists or politicians. Yet while we do not practice any of those professions, there are areas of ADIO thought common both to chiropractic and to them. Taking responsibilities for one’s life and actions and not being forced to conform to a national average are just two aspects of the ADIO philosophy that have both chiropractic and social applications. Capitalism encourages individual effort. Socialism does not. We do not attempt to conform people to a physiological average as medicine does. The ADIO philosophy also recognizes that while everything is not black and white, right or wrong, there are absolutes. There are many more examples but I think you get the point.
Notice that chiropractic sits between health and physical or human function. Chiropractic is not truly a health field, although that is where most people place us. Others put us in the human potential movement, although technically we do not belong there either. Chiropractic is unique and therefore occupies its own place in the ADIO philosophy. Certainly it touches upon both health and human function and is more closely aligned to them than it is, to say, law or psychology. But it also has a number of principles and viewpoints in common with all other aspects of the ADIO viewpoint, hence the circle in the center.
With the vastness of the ADIO philosophy, how can we know when we have moved from chiropractic philosophy into the much broader ADIO philosophy? It is relatively easy to know if you are discussing law or politics but the close proximity of health, human potential and certain theological concepts to chiropractic makes the boundaries very fuzzy at times. I am not sure we can always know for certain when we are outside the realm of chiropractic. I know B.J. and D.D. often wandered out of chiropractic philosophy in the strictest sense. Talking about the practice of medicine as we discussed previously in this issue has nothing to do with chiropractic. Comparing medicine’s outside-in and chiropractic’s ADIO approach is part of the ADIO viewpoint. Is it all right to address ADIO issues outside of chiropractic philosophy? I think that may be an individual decision. If it detracts from your chiropractic objective, you may want to question its value. Offending people with an ADIO viewpoint of theology and politics so that they discontinue care may hinder your objective. There really is a great deal to be learned within the straight chiropractic philosophy. Talking about other areas of ADIO philosophy with which people are familiar, however, may better enable them to understand and accept the chiropractic philosophy. For example, a person with an ADIO viewpoint of politics or economics may better comprehend the chiropractic philosophy of taking responsibility for one’s life.
The real key, as I see it, is making sure it is the ADIO philosophy you are discussing. The outside-in viewpoint is so prevalent today that it easily creeps into our thinking. We are all guilty of it. B.J. called it slipping and checking. The issue may not be “is it chiropractic philosophy?” but rather, “is it consistent with chiropractic philosophy?” i.e., is it ADIO philosophy? The beauty of both chiropractic and our ADIO philosophy is that they are in perfect, uncompromising agreement. Whatever subject we are discussing, that logic, that consistent viewpoint, should be uppermost and clearly evident in our discussion. v15n2