Why Philosophy is the start of health

Philosophy.  Funny, when I first heard Chiropractic described as being more about philosophy than science or art (though it is described by many lifelong chiropractors as being equally all three), I was perturbed.  I wanted nothing to do with something that was going to be philosophical, when I felt like the world was moving quickly towards science.

15 years later.

I could defend the importance of a philosophical rooting in health above all else, on any stage, with any opponent, to any length.  After seeing 10,000 patients come through the doors, and many only a few times, it is still enough to gather important insight.  Philosophy is the key.

The hard question is actually how to prove it in a short amount of time, with few words.  And it rest on truth.  Truth is a tricky word, because one man’s truth is a lie to another.  I truly believe that the Earth was created by the God who had shown himself to Moses in the form of a bush, who spoke to Abraham, and eventually placed Christ on the Earth.  To some of you, there is no truth in that at all, but rather myth.

Likewise, I believe the truth is that every single drug that is taken, does more chemical damage to your body, than a drink of fermented grape juice.  Where I know many of you choose to not drink a sip of wine, yet you would take a pill.  So obviously we have areas where we will differ on truth.  And that difference is the key to why philosophy rules the day when it comes to health.

My father was a pharmacist for 45 years before retiring. In that time, he had seen many failed truths.  Drugs that were being distributed to patients because the truth was that they were going to help those patients more than they hurt them.  Well, as so many drugs have been found to do the opposite, we know that the “truth” of the moment, was wrong.  So how do you find health, when slick marketing can have you taking an aspirin a day.  Do you really believe you have an aspirin deficiency?  Because there would be no other reason to take it besides believing that you have a deficiency in aspirin.  Any other reason would suggest you don’t care about the best path to health.

In a world with “Parkay, Butter…. Parkay…” who is going to help insure that 30 years later (that is where we are with parkay now), you don’t find out that your favorite butter alternative is made up of a fat that is found to be deadly to you (trans fat was present as up to 30% of the volume of early margarine, 30%!!)  You see, your only way to safeguard from the folly of today’s science, is to live vintage.  Real vintage, like Genesis vintage.

Philosophy leads the way.  I don’t treat anything, other than with food sources.  I don’t trust anything, other than what is a natural, chemical free food source.  I don’t like to use any type of machine when I exercise, because I want it to mimic manual labor.  We have already tested and seen the failure of just about every machine that has ever set foot in a gym (due to increased injury).

The chiropractic philosophy is one of the most beautiful philosophies out there, and you should be proud of your commitment to it, as it is incredibly respectful of the human body.  There is a power in the body, that grew it into all of the intricate tissues that make up organs and systems.  This power is in the body, as it never leaves until death.  While in it, it animates the tissues, allowing function and healing to occur.  This power originates in the brain, and flows through the nervous system, leveraging breath and nutrient which are delivered through the blood.

That is my definition.  Look at the importance of the flow of it.  From understanding what this power did and does, to seeing its origination in the body and ultimately its ability to leverage other systems to accomplish all of its tasks (healing).  This simple truth, yes… this one is known truth, leads to a philosophy.  Healing comes from within, thus apply effort to this process working as it is supposed to, as your first step towards health, and let all others follow behind.

As a Christian, I pray for healing, but when I do, I pray a prayer of knowledge.  I don’t pop a vioxx in my mouth, and ask God to heal me, when the knowledge exists that the pill is actually creating vascular harm, and damaging the walls of my arteries.  I pray a prayer focused on the specifics of my diet, and for strength in my resolve to my commitments, and insight into any areas that might be hidden from me.  And to assist my ability to show honor and respect to Him through my choices.

Your philosophy is key, I pray you will strive to figure out exactly what yours is.  Be Well and Be Blessed!  – Dr. E