We are beginning a monthly series on great chiropractors who, unfortunately, have been overshadowed because of our preoccupation with the Founder and Developer. These men and women have made great contributions to chiropractic, perhaps not as apparent as DD and BJ, but nevertheless important. We will include “the greats” that I know of and perhaps others will come to light. If you have a “gone but not forgotten” chiropractor who is worthy of having his/her life presented, let us know. The first chiropractor we are focusing upon in this series is Dr. Joe Flesia. If you have an anecdote, story or comment about Joe, please feel free to share it with us.
I first met Joe Flesia in the early 1970’s at a New York State monthly chiropractic meeting. He had come down from Rhode Island to be a speaker and I came up from Pennsylvania to be the other speaker. The meeting was at the office of Pat and Walt Heany. After the meeting Walt, Joe and I sat up all night talking chiropractic. It was one of the most memorable nights of my chiropractic career, as we shared ideas about chiropractic. (Walt and I mostly listened and took turns nodding off for a few minutes. Joe kept going). Joe Flesia was an extraordinary communicator and a brilliant mind. He was the Salutatorian for the class in which Reggie was Valedictorian. His passion for chiropractic equalled his intelect.
Joe became a very successful mixer practitioner after returning to Rhode Island from Palmer. However, after a few years in practice he became disenchanted with that type of practice and eventually reunited with his old classmate, Reggie Gold. He began attending Reggie’s Saturday night sessions in Spring Valley, New York and quickly became a popular speaker with an amazing ability to present chiropractic philosophically and scientifically. His demand as a speaker necessitated his leaving practice, although he admittedly hated to fly. He joined the Sherman College faculty and began teaching in the Philosophy Department, teaming up with Guy Riekman to form a “dynamic duo” that influenced many students toward straight chiropractic. Eventually, the two of them left Sherman and began the Renaissance program, turning many chiropractors on to chiropractic and enabling them to build successful practices. Joe later left the Renaissance program to its present leaders, Dr. Kevin Pallis and Dr. Ed Plentz. While he saw the need to develop successful chiropractors, his major thrust was to develop a passion for chiropractic in his students and cause them to serve people from the heart.
The accompanying photo of Joe as a Roman Legionnaire, was taken at the ADIO Lyceum in 1978. On other occasions, he dressed in army fatigues. He stressed that we were warriors in battle with those that opposed an above-down philosophy. (We have just located a copy of the tape of that presentation and when we convert it to a downloadable, digital format, we will make it available to you).
As a motivational speaker, Joe’s passion for chiropractic was abundantly evident, as was his brilliance. He had a great interest in demonstrating the long-term effects of regular chiropractic care, even to the point of improving genetic potential. He helped develop theories and a philosophy of the “birth of the magical child.” Together with PH.D Ron Pero, he developed research to demonstrate the long-term effects upon the body under regular chiropractic care.
Joe left active practice and re-located to Colorado where he continued to speak and write. The last time we were together was in the 1990’s at a seminar in Florida. While we were both speakers, after almost 30 years, I felt like I was a student sitting under the tuteledge of one of “the greats” in chiropractic. Joe began to limit his activity due to failing health and he passed away on July 3, 2004 far too soon for those of us who knew him and were challenged by his message. He was truly one of the great contributors to modern-day chiropractic.
well stated, Joe! I first met him in the late 80’s and he had a profound impact on my young chiropractic mind.
I lived in RI when Joe was practicing there. I was 21 years old when I first starting going to Joe. It was 1971.
Joe educated a lot of young people in the Principles Of Chiropractic.
Life Principle he called it.
He wanted people to totally understand what Chiropractic could do.
Before you could even get an adjustment with Joe you had to have a sort of training session.
It made a ton of sense.
I was a receptionist for Joe for a while.
Then I moved away from Rhode Island.
But all my life, I have always found a good chiropractor to keep me aligned.
As a result of that, I have not had any major health malfunctions. I really haven’t!
I am 66 years old and am running circles around anyone my age I know.
Ask Dr. Neil Hedin (Falconer, NY) who is my current Chiropractor and has been for over 13 years.
Thank you Joe. I owe you so much.
One of the great JOES of Chiropractic, right Joe, Love Joe…lol
A truely wonderful speaker who I could listen to for days, so bright, dearly missed.
Good to see the comments coming in. Would like one day considered to be in the same category as a Joe Flesia! Below are the links for the talk given by Joe at the first ADIO Institute of Straight Chiropractic Lyceum and the picture I could not manage to post earlier today.
https://chiropracticoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/01-Track-1.mp3
https://chiropracticoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/02-Track-2.mp3
https://chiropracticoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Joe-Felice_landscape1.jpg
I am very excited for this month’s posts! I think they’ll be inspiring and I’ll learn a lot about chiropractic, chiropractic history, and people I’ve never heard of. 🙂 Thank you!
Thanks for doing this Joe. So many of our next generation don’t know anything about the past generation and how these people worked to advance our profession in the RIGHT way. I appreciate all you do.
Joe,
Agreed on Dr. Flesia. Has was indeed one of our greatest. If I might ask -I’m curious as to how you would categorize his chiropractic approach? Given his interest in cataloging the pathological aspects of the VSC, and his obvious interest in tracing the effects of VS beyond the simple principle of obstructed ii, I would think you might consider him to have been a TSC-tor. Am I correct?
Thank you Joe for your efforts and passion in sharing your insights. I am motivated and inspired to work hard and be like him.
Joseph M. Flesia Jr. DC., was one of my mentor for 30 years until his untimely passing in 2004. He was the head of the Philosophy Department at Sherman college and I was HIGHLY privileged to have him as a professor. As a matter of fact, Joe was the person WHO confer to me the “BJ Palmer Philosophy Distinction Award” at my graduation June 1977.
Joe was a WARRIOR!!! I called him the DEFENDER of Chiropractic. He was GENIUS!!! In Philosophy 803, Joe taught communication and introduced us to “flip-charts”. We had to create our own set in order to pass the class. My wife Sara, being an artist, designed my set and Joe used it as a matrix to present to ALL the students following the course thereafter. Joe, taught us to always BE prepared for an audience of 1000 or 1. He was ALWAYS dressed impeccably. He was an ACTOR par excellence. (Jim Healey reminds me of him). His ability to motivate a crowd was unmatched. He was constantly using props and creating NEW ways to communicate the message.
With his good friend “Easy” (Guy Riekeman), he co-founded Renaissance that is now headed by Kevin Pallis and Ed Plentz. Joe was one of the first to introduce Chiropractic to the public on videotapes. He had Peter Graves, Lorne Greene and Tony Francosa as stars of his first series of health care classes.
Joe ALWAYS gave me his utmost intense attention whenever we were in conversation. He used to say: “Claude, how patients did you see last week?” I answered over 2200. (I was practicing with Strauss at the time). He looked at me squarely in the eyes, grab both my shoulder and said: “Not enough to matter in the unfoldment of the species. Claude, you and Joe Strauss can do 3000/week” with the biggest genuine smile and twinkle in his eyes.
He enunciated the Five Component of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, leaving OUT the metaphysical component of chiropractic, to give it an acceptable scientific connotation with 496 science references. Most specifically was his contribution to the Four Phases of Subluxation Degeneration.
It is Joe Flesia WHO chose to warned us about the predicament of the species even before most knew we had a dilemma. He was highly aware of the human potential movement. He used to say: “Chiropractors are positioned ahead of the movement ready to lead the world into the 21st Century’.
Joseph M. Flesia, Jr. DC., WARRIOR AND DEFENDER of Chiropractic.
THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU —
Love your comments. Joe would too,
But have to crack up at the comment he made when he was interviewed once.
Here goes”;
Somebody was talking about cabbage sending them to hell and back.
The man was not a chiropractic patient.
Joe just very patiently says;
“Well, I don’t know, the cabbage didn’t bother ME very much.
I just love it, and it further promotes my faith in what Joe taught us so many years ago.
Thanks Joe, Dr. Joe Flesia is one of the greats, I had him as a teacher, and mentor while at Sherman. He and Guy trained us on lecturing and the Renaissance program was developing during our classes, videoing our talk honed our skills. Joe was a great guy too and would talk w/me and my roomate, (Ric Chaney) in his office about chiropractic philosophy…on his own time too. He is missed…..
I attended Palmer during the time in which Guy was President. With the help of Dr. Mike Mills we formed a Renaissance Club and had Dr. Joe to Davenport on several occasions. The times I cherished most would be picking him up from the airport and being greeted with a warriors hug. The drive from the airport to his hotel was never long enough. He instilled Chiropractic PASSION in everyone he met. A true genius and man before his time. He is dearly missed.
Thank you for honoring my Dad, I love and miss his Hugs as well, it is nice to know he is still remembered.
Kelly, it was an honor anda priviledge to know your Dad and a joy to be the recipient of some of those hugs.
Kelly,
Your dad lives on in ALL of those whom he loved and WHO loved him. He was a “BRIGHT LIGHT BULB” shining in the darkness. He was one of my mentors and a great friend. I miss his hugs too.
I remember you.
I was a receptionist in you Dad’s office.
I also remember your Mom. On Breezy Corner in Narragansett, RI
She made me Pasta fajgoulle soup (sp)?
It was wonderful!
This certainly is a great tribute to the father of my children. We now have a chiropractor, Dr. Jay Korsen, Back To Health here in R.I. who is following in his footsteps.
Joe will always be remembered as a great chiropractor and warrior in his profession.
Sincerely,
Doris A. (Flesia) Mercier
I remember when I called Joe in Colorado to tell him I was looking for a place on the east coast to practice. I asked him, “How about that place you are always talking about. That Wakefield and Narragansett, RI? Do you think they need a chiropractor?” He said, with his characteristic enthusiastic inflection in his booming voice, “Well, are you a MEDIPRACTOR or a CHIROPRACTOR?” I said, “Joe, you know me, I am a chiropractor.” He said, “Well I guess they need you then!” and he HUNG UP on me!
I must say that I really miss him for lots of reasons, not least of which is that he was a friend and mentor. What I have come to find out is that he left a legacy here in Narragansett which I hope to leave when I am called to my Heavenly Father. It is my honor and priviledge to take care of Joe’s family, his patients that still come in weekly and the more than 7,000 people I have adjusted here so far as a tribute to him.
Jay,
How honored I am to read this blog this morning. Joe IS still living in our hearts as he left us his DEEP imprint in them. Thank you for sharing.
There is a running thread on this blog presently dealing with how to address people on the first visit. I know EXACTLY what Joe would say about it. As as matter of fact, it he WHO chose to teach it in his communication course in Philosophy 803. Here he goes:
“Claude, awww Claude…
Think! Think! Would please think!
” WHY would YOU want to check people’s spine… without first giving them… YOUR PRE-CARE LECTURE?”
I worked for Dr. Flesia for many years. After he left, it was very hard to find another Chiropractor.I went to so many, so called, chiropractors, who had pictures of them and Joe on their wall. What a great disapoinment they were. Finally I found one very close to Joe. One that didn’t care about money, one who wanted to get the word out to the people, and one that had the power and faith in his his job to heal with his hands. That Chiropractor is Dr. Jay Korsen. Thank you Jay.
WQW What a great tribute to a great man. I would just like to add that I have retold the story of Dr. Joe’s granddaughter, Jennie, many times since I first heard Dr. Joe tell it himself.I still get choked up every time. We are certainly blessed to have known him.
I’m sure I can thank you on behalf of Dr. Joe Flesia’s granddaughter