Traditional Straight Chiropractic is a term coined to differentiate two
groups of chiropractors who both claim to be straight and who both model
their type of practice in some way after the philosophy developed by B.J.
Palmer. Objective Straight Chiropractic takes the position that throughout
the vast and diversified writings of B.J., the overall theme is that
chiropractic is not medicine, it only corrects vertebral subluxations, and its
ultimate objective is to enable the innate intelligence of the body to be
better expressed. Every aspect of chiropractic practice is evaluated in light
of these three concepts. The traditional straight chiropractor claims to
follow the philosophy of B.J. Palmer. However he tends to be selective in
which of B.J.’s writings he adheres to. For example, while B.J. did have
diagnostic procedures done at the B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic (by
medical doctors), he always maintained that diagnosis was not a part of
straight chiropractic. Traditional straight chiropractors diagnose and also
do diagnostic tests. Most importantly, the traditional chiropractor ignores
certain inconsistencies in B.J.’s writings and does not take into
consideration the evolution of Palmer’s thinking over the years.
Chiropractic philosophy can be and is an evolving process and did not
stop evolving in 1961. Some of B.J.’s writings are inconsistent with the
three concepts as stated above. For example, B.J. defined chiropractic, in
part, “by hand only.” Objective Straight Chiropractic defines it totally by
objective and the technique used to meet that objective is not an issue. In
general it can be said that the traditional straight adds to B.J.’s philosophy,
while the objective straight chiropractor takes things away from B.J.’s
philosophy. In the mind of the objective straight chiropractor, the former
dilutes the philosophy and the latter makes it stronger, even stronger than
when B.J. presented it. The idea of chiropractic getting sick people well or
correcting the cause of disease has come to be a point of contention
between chiropractic and medicine. The cause, cure, treatment and
prevention of sickness and disease have always been the domain of the
medical physician. Traditional straight chiropractic clearly trespasses into
this domain when it discusses vertebral subluxation as the cause of
disease and its correction as a prevention of disease. The confusion
caused by two groups Objective Straight Chiropractic and Traditional
Straight Chiropractic who both call themselves “straight” has necessitated
this delineation. The traditional straight chiropractor does not fit the classic
definition of a mixer although every day more and more move into that
area of chiropractic practice. On the other hand, he is not a straight
chiropractor in as much as he includes the medical objective in his
practice and as the straight chiropractic philosophy evolves, he is being
left further and further behind. To summarize the major differences
between traditional and Objective Straight Chiropractic: 1. Traditional
Straight Chiropractic embraces diagnosis either limited or full. Objective
Straight Chiropractic does not. 2. Traditional Straight Chiropractic views
chiropractic as an alternative or substitute for medicine. Objective Straight
Chiropractic does not. 3. Traditional straight chiropractic discusses
disease and its cause and relates the vertebral subluxation to them.
Objective Straight Chiropractic does not. 4. Traditional Straight
Chiropractic criticizes and attacks medical procedures. Objective Straight
Chiropractic does not.
