| 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. |
Position Paper Two - What is Traditional Straight Chiropractic?
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Foundation for the Advancement
of Chiropractic Education
of Chiropractic Education
