Philosophy of Science: What does it mean?

What is meant by health care being a Science, a

Philosophy and an Art? Unique philosophy of Chiropractic

The philosophy of chiropractic is often a misunderstood concept. The

declaration of Chiropractic philosophy is linked backed to B.J. Palmer, who he
himself quoted; chiropractic IS a philosophy. It is important to
understand the foundations of Chiropractic care and how it came to be. From
there we can also understand how it has grown and advanced since Palmers
discover in 1895 and why it works.1
Since that time, there has been an immense amount of evidence based
research that has evolved the Chiropractic practice in its technique and its
outcomes. This practice has been, and forever will be growing, but the
fundamental precepts of the art will always remain unchanged. Chiropractic
care developed under a Vitalism theory; a belief that there are elemental
properties that differentiate living things from non-living things. This
dogmata concept explains that every organism has an immeasurable force
known as Innate Intelligence. This innate intelligence flows within us and
acts as a connection between mind-body-spirit and maintaining optimal
health in the body when it flows uninterrupted. However, when an
obstruction occurs, via a spinal column being out of line, there is a
disturbance in the deliverance of innate intelligence to the body. 2 These
misalignments were referred to as subluxations that interrupted the innate
intelligences flow through the body from the spinal cord. Chiropractors
termed this as dis-ease in the body. Another way of saying that the
vitalistic forces within the body are no longer in ease.1 From this concept
Chiropractors reason that they dont treat disease, but rather they treat the
cause of disease and restore the bodys innate intelligence; allowing the
body to heal itself. This belief was a key concept that has not only allowed
Chiropractic care to stand apart from other health care professions, but has
also allowed it to endure the lawful conflictions its faced over the years. In
B.J Palmers era, the Chiropractic philosophy was adapted to be nondiagnostic and non-therapeutic, and all acts of practice were linked toward
analyzing the spine for the cause of disease. This marked a static
philosophy period in which any Chiropractor practicing outside B.Js
principles were disregarded as true Chiropractors. Since this time, these
principles have matured and embraced scientific reasoning. Clinicians may
now base much of their manipulation based off indisputable anatomical
design or clinical trials that are reinforced with biological and/or physiological
reasoning. We know today that the use of spinal manipulation contributes
too much more than just innate intelligence. The Palmer principles were
based on assumptions and theory, that is, D.D Palmer did not integrate the
scientific method as a manual for his advancements in Chiropractic practice.2

The future of Chiropractic is widely up for debate. D.D Palmers theories

were enough to carry the profession through his generation, but there has
been much uncovered since his time of what Chiropractic care is and how or
why it works. I believe that the original foundations are very harmonising,
and in todays society can still appeal to patients. Of course, science has
impacted the art of manipulation tremendously and our knowledge has
surpassed that of the theory of innate intelligence. Innate intelligence will
forever be a theory, but it has allowed for the practice to be where it is today.
We will continue to further our understanding and knowledge of the effects of
spinal manipulation on scientific grounds, but the spiritual natural of
Chiropractic theory will forever be rectified no matter how far research goes.
To me this makes for a very compelling timeline that gives the practice a
philosophy, and a unique one for that matter. In our modern world, clinics will
continue to educate their patients on the scientific grounds on the art of
chiropractic, but the original principles will forever be the core of what
chiropractic stands for.

References
1. Rondberg, T. Philosophy I. Why talk Chiropractic Philosophy? Available from
https://my.parker.edu/ICS/icsfs/WHY_TALK_CHIROPRACTIC_PHILOSOPHY.htm?
target=c1f8874c-7229-4de2-8b4c-87cb58ef48f2
2. Haldeman, S. Principles and practice of chiropractic. 3rd ed. 2005. McGraw-Hill Medical
Publishing. c1980