How’s your back feel today?

That’s what Jane and her daughter, Jenny (names changed) heard during our conversation when a mother and daughter were having their chiropractic visit this morning. I did ask a question of Jenny but in actuality I asked, “How’s it going?” just like one might inquire, “What’s new?” Seeking clarification, Jenny responded, “You mean, how’s my back feel?” My response was, “Oh no, I meant how’s your life?” After a puzzled silence I soon added, “As your chiropractor I’m not interested in your back at all.” Both mother and daughter began to laugh in wonderment that their chiropractor would give such an apparently outlandish response. Following up with more clarification again, “Sure, as a chiropractor the only reason I look at your spine is that it protects your nerve system, so that makes my work about your life, not your back.” Jane said, “Well that’s profound and refreshing.”
We all learned in school that the brain controls and coordinates all functions of the human body. Yet it seems that most of us forget just how basic, simple and profound that truth is. For example, when some part of the body isn’t working well we fail to think in terms of where normal function comes from. Instead we try to artificially stimulate or inhibit function – usually with drugs. Aside from the fact that medications are dangerous, our culture is in too big of a hurry to shoot from the hip with dangerous chemicals instead of helping the body to heal itself. But to get back to the point, the human body is a wonderfully built organism designed to heal itself when sick and moreover to function in health. Jane knew that this was true and she was aware of how her whole body functioned better under chiropractic care, nevertheless she hadn’t thought about the link between good nerve supply and a good life. “It all makes so much sense,” she said.
While they were being checked for subluxation to see if they needed adjustments we chatted more about it. Usually Jane would only schedule a visit if her back hurt and she pointed out how much better it always felt after she got adjusted. So I said, “That’s really great, but remember feeling better is the least important thing we do! Remember getting an adjustment is like getting life turned on in your body.” Jenny said, “Whoa…”

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