The Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers Vol. 2

By Sherman College

An exploration of issues in the philosophy of chiropractic from graduates of the Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers at Sherman College of Chiropractic

Thomas J. Kramer, D.C., A.C.P.: "Thermodynamics: The Link that Binds the Philosophy, Science and Art of Chiropractic in the Detection of the Neurological Component of Vertebral Subluxation"

Michael J. Norman, D.C., A.C.P.: "A Christian Understanding of Innate Intelligence and the Philosophy of Chiropractic"

Daniel H. R. Smith, B.App.Sc (Sports) M.Chiro, A.C.P: "The Imperative of Tone within the Philosophy, Science and Art of Chiropractic: An Overview"

Marc Swerdlick, D.C., A.C.P.: "Strategic Model for Propagating a Subluxation Correction Paradigm for the Purpose of Increasing Public Utilization"

The Sherman College Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers is a a scholarly 100-hour program exploring classical to modern-day philosophy, which designed to enhance the understanding, depth and breadth of chiropractic philosophy. The Academy is committed to helping doctors of chiropractic become the writers, thinkers and speakers that the profession needs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherman College
• Release date: Aug 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370641239

Sherman College

Chiropractic Education for the World: About Sherman CollegeSherman College offers an integrated chiropractic education program. Our graduates are prepared to offer chiropractic care to their communities that is effective, safe, affordable, and family oriented. Chiropractic is growing as more people want holistic health care. A doctor of chiropractic makes a difference in the lives of patients and in the wider community.Chiropractic is serving others to improve their health from birth to the end of life. With a natural, preventative approach to health care, chiropractors do not use invasive drugs or surgery, but they help patients achieve good health and function through the body’s natural healing processes so they can perform at their optimum capacity.“The decision to attend chiropractic college can be life-changing,” says Sherman College President Edwin Cordero, D.C. “These dynamic videos were created for prospective students so they can see for themselves what makes Sherman the preeminent chiropractic college in the world.”* philosophically-based practice principles* scientific research* effective techniques for analyzing and adjusting vertebral subluxation* one-on-one mentoring* clinical experience

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The Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers

Volume 2

Sherman College of Chiropractic, Spartanburg SC

Thomas J. Kramer, D.C., A.C.P.;

Michael J. Norman, D.C., A.C.P.

Daniel H. R. Smith, B.App.Sc (Sports) M.Chiro, A.C.P.;

Marc Swerdlick, D.C., A.C.P.

Introduction by Bill Decken, D.C., DPhCS

Edited by Lissa Vandervort and

Charlotte Henley Babb, M.A., M.Ed.

© Sherman College of Chiropractic

All Rights Reserved

© Dr. Thomas J. Kramer, Thermodynamics: The Link That Binds the Philosophy, Science and Art of Chiropractic in the Detection of the Neurological Component of Vertebral Subluxation

© Dr. Michael J. Norman, A Christian Understanding of Innate Intelligence and the Philosophy of Chiropractic

© Daniel H. R. Smith, The Imperative of Tone within the Philosophy, Science, and Art of Chiropractic: An Overview

© Dr. Marc Swerdlick, Strategic Model for Propagating a Subluxation Correction Paradigm for the Purpose of Increasing Public Utilization

© Dr. Bill Decken, Introduction

Book design by Charlotte Henley Babb

Table of Contents

Bill Decken, D.C., DPhCS, Introduction

Thomas J. Kramer, D.C., A.C.P.

Thermodynamics: The Link that Binds the Philosophy, Science, and Art of Chiropractic in the Detection of the Neurological Component of Vertebral Subluxation

Michael J. Norman, D.C., A.C.P.

A Christian Understanding of Innate Intelligence and the Philosophy of Chiropractic

Daniel H. R. Smith, B.App.Sc (Sports) M.Chiro, A.C.P.

The Imperative of Tone within the Philosophy, Science and Art of Chiropractic: An Overview

Marc Swerdlick, D.C., A.C.P.

Strategic Model for Propagating a Subluxation Correction Paradigm for the Purpose of Increasing Public Utilization

Journal of Chiropractic Philosophers, Vol. 1

Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers

Introduction by

Bill Decken, D.C., DPhCS

Sherman College of Chiropractic’s Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers (ACP) serves chiropractors who are seeking to study the foundation of chiropractic for the first time or looking to review chiropractic philosophy with new eyes and a fresh mind now that they have been in practice for a while. Each candidate must write a paper on a topic of their choosing and connect it to the principles or tenets of chiropractic. This process benefits the individual doctors in their own growth and practices and, like all things written, the final papers have the potential to impact the profession as others read and contemplate their work.

Chiropractic was defined early on by B.J. Palmer as being a philosophy, science, and art. Philosophy forms the basis on which science questions are formulated and research conducted. It is also the foundation of the various art forms developed in chiropractic to assist the body in the correction of vertebral subluxation. Dr. Joey Kramer focused his paper on bringing these three components together in his expression of chiropractic philosophy in his practice.

Chiropractic philosophy is a vitalistic philosophy of life and therefore recognizes that life consists of more than that which is seen and measurable. It is rooted in the field of philosophy called metaphysics. Probably the most common thoughts of a metaphysical nature have to do with spiritual aspects of life, which leads to many questions surfacing regarding the dividing line between chiropractic philosophy and religion. Dr. Mike Norman’s paper looks at chiropractic philosophy in the context of a Christian worldview.

In his 1910 text, D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, said chiropractic was founded on tone. A nerve too taut or too slack would not allow for the proper transmission of mental impulse between brain and body. Daniel Smith investigates the contemporary nature of this topic as evidenced in the writings of others within and outside of chiropractic.

Chiropractic often carries the reputation of being a modality, a treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, most notably lower back pain. However, when we truly study chiropractic, we learn that it is a much bigger idea than this. Dr. Marc Swerdlick, who brings a background in business into his paper, proposes a paradigm for increasing public utilization of chiropractic. His proposed model is based on the idea that vertebral subluxation correction is the key to accomplishing this.

All four of these Volume II authors are in private practice. They were committed to the yearlong series of classes and getting their thoughts on paper for you to contemplate. I trust you will find them interesting, well done, and beneficial to you and the profession. Thank you for reading, chewing and digesting. Please share this with your colleagues, and I hope to see you enrolled in a future ACP class.

Contact the Director of Continuing Education: 864-578-8770, ext. 229 at Sherman College of Chiropractic

for more information or visit http://www.sherman.edu/acp.

Thermodynamics:

The Link that Binds the Philosophy, Science, and Art of Chiropractic in the Detection of the Neurological Component of Vertebral Subluxation

By Thomas J. Kramer, D.C., A.C.P.

Abstract

This paper examines the principles of thermodynamics as they relate to skin temperature differentials as a unification theory of the science, art, and philosophy of chiropractic. The mechanistic principles of thermodynamics provide evidence that interference to the mental impulse can be measured as neuropathophysiology, thus illustrating the neurological component of the vertebral subluxation complex as defined by R. W. Stephenson. Information regarding thermodynamics and its relation to our philosophy, science and art would not only improve our ability to better manage patients but also assist students in better understanding how the neurological component of subluxation can be measured for objective indicators in the presence and absence of subluxation. This paper explores the principles of thermodynamics and how the introduction of instrumentation to measure skin temperature forever changed the ability to detect the neurological component of subluxation

Thermodynamics:

The Link that Binds the Philosophy, Science, and Art of Chiropractic in the Detection of the Neurological Component

of Vertebral Subluxation

There is no chiropractic problem. It is merely a question of discovery, development, understanding, and application (Palmer, 1924, p. 4). Since 1895, chiropractic has continually strengthened the foundation of the profession through the advancement of its philosophy, science, and art. The development of the profession quickly gained momentum as D. D. Palmer and his son B. J. Palmer sought to solidify chiropractic as a separate and distinct entity. As chiropractic progressed throughout the early 1900s, a single event took place that would forever change the ability of chiropractors to perform their art: the introduction of instrumentation for the assistance of the detection of interference to the mental impulse, the fourth and most important piece of the four-part definition of vertebral subluxation (Stephenson, 1948, p. 320). In 1923, at the Palmer Lyceum, B. J. Palmer stated:

I wanted to study the contrast between cases with and without, and I did. I studied this very thoroughly for 10 months on 500 cases before anybody knew outside of three or four what I was doing. I had to know, and I did know, before I endorsed the idea. You would have little to lose in endorsing or rejecting this idea; I had the entire profession’s welfare at stake because I knew that you knew that I would know before I would say anything about it. When we finally realized that we had in our profession the most valuable idea that has ever been given by man for man in the history of the world, the appalling immensity of the thing grew upon us (Palmer, 1924, p.8).

This valuable idea that B. J. was speaking about is the introduction of the neurocalometer into chiropractic for purposes of detecting the where and when of the vertebral subluxation.

By introducing this instrument into the field of chiropractic, B. J. Palmer sought a way to measure the fourth component of subluxation as stated by R. W. Stephenson: interference to the mental impulse (Stephenson, 1924, p.320). With the help of Dossa Evins, B. J. had finally developed an instrument that could assist the doctor in knowing exactly when malposition of a vertebra caused an excess pressure on a nerve resulting in interference to the mental impulse, where that interference was located, and if the interference had been removed post adjustment (Palmer, 1924, p. 13). Initially, the chiropractic profession presented strong resistance to the introduction of an instrument, as the very definition of chiropractic included by hand only. To contend with this premise, B. J. challenged the profession to understand that the key was to understand what to adjust, but even more importantly, when to adjust (Palmer, 1934). He continued to challenge them when he made the bold claim that in 30 minutes, the neurocalometer can do more in picking correct majors than anybody attending school for 17 months, or more than I can do after 28 years (Palmer, 1924, p. 9). With statements such as this, doctors in the field questioned how something as simple as an instrument could supersede the education they had received from the very man speaking to them at that moment. This instrument, although scientific in design and created by man, provided a means to unify the philosophy, science, and art of chiropractic with a basic principle of physics: thermodynamics. With the introduction of this instrument, the detection of subluxation would be changed forever.

As the study of the human nervous system progressed and the technology of thermodynamic instrumentation advanced, the chiropractic profession benefitted with an increase in the specificity of the ability to locate the presence or absence of interference to the human nervous system. Using thermodynamics to link the philosophy, science, and art of chiropractic is a task that will require multiple individual pieces being defined prior to demonstrating the glue that is provided by this universal principle of physics. Thus, prior to the discussion of the human nervous system, the philosophy of chiropractic, and the art of instrumentation, a brief outline of thermodynamics will be required. Keep in mind that technological advances allow for exponential growth on a daily basis within the field of science. As Claude Bernard eloquently stated, In science, the thing is to modify and change one’s ideas as science advances (Palmer, 1934).

Thermodynamics

Prior to embarking upon the journey of linking the philosophy, science and art of chiropractic, a few definitions and basic understanding of the subject of thermodynamics need to be addressed. First, I want to introduce some definitions.

Thermometry: the measurement of temperature and of changes in temperature

Thermometer: an instrument for measuring changes in temperature

Thermodynamics: the study of the general laws that govern the processes that involve heat changes

Law of thermodynamics: Heat and mechanical work are mutually convertible, and in any process involving such conversion, one calorie of heat is equivalent to 4.18 x 10^7 ergs of mechanical work. Heat cannot be transferred by any continuous self-sustaining process from a colder to a hotter body. The absolute zero temperature cannot be reached.

Thermal conduction: the transmission of heat from one part of a medium to another by the transfer of heat energy from molecule to molecule

Thermal Convection: the transfer of heat by automatic circulation of a fluid, either liquid or gas, due to differences in temperature and density

Thermal radiation: the transmission of heat in the form of heat waves

Thermocouple: a pair of different metals that produce an electric current when their junction is heated

These are the basic definitions that will assist and guide the reader through the terms used within this paper. For the majority of this paper, the most important terms are thermocouple, thermal conduction and thermal radiation. These terms encompass the thermal instruments that have been developed over the years for advancing the ability to detect the presence and absence of vertebral subluxation. Without the basis of thermodynamics, instruments such as the neurocalometer and neurocalograph probably would not have been developed or advanced. The understanding of the physiological processes of the body and how conduction and radiant heat are produced through hemodynamics is the foundation for the development of instrumentation to measure for subluxation.

The Human Nervous System

When the nervous system is discussed in everyday conversation, the typical understanding falls within the realm of how it is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary: the system of nerves in your body that sends messages for controlling movement and feeling between the brain and the other parts of the body. While this definition is sufficient for most people, in terms of chiropractic, it will not provide us the terms and parameters necessary for the discussion surrounding thermodynamics. The nervous system is more than demarcated anatomical landmarks. If scientists were confined to the accepted Webster definition of the nervous system, a rather expansive portion of that system would be left undiscovered. Thus, the nervous system has been examined and defined through its function and expression: to transmit mental force to and from the tissue cell (Stephenson, 1948, p. 31). The abstract concept of mental force will be addressed in the philosophy subheading and further expanded upon in the discussion aspect of this paper. To fulfill the purposes of defining terms, mental force is an abstract/immaterial coordinative force used to ensure that proper coordination of all cells is taking place at all points in time. This can be examined through a physiological approach to the nervous system as stated by A. C. Guyton: In the human body, all activities that take place on a daily basis from birth until death are coordinated via the control of the nervous system (2011, p. 555). In order to gain respect for the coordinative activity of the nervous system, it must be broken down into its functional control systems.

The human nervous system is incredibly complex in its organization when studied from a physiological and anatomical perspective. Yet, Stephenson sought a way to simplify the system. One key component of the nervous system’s design is constant, as is constant in the design of every cell of every tissue of every organ of every system in the human body; it is designed with a cyclic arrangement (1948, p. 6).

Reviews for The Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers Vol. 2

[Gary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Keamer's explanation of thermodynamics is excellent. It is such a revelation of the complexity of the body, and the accessible insight we gain from thermography.