So When is Chiropractic Going to Unify? - Texas Journal of Chiropractic

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So When is Chiropractic Going to Unify?

Dr. Chris G. Dalrymple D.C., F.I.C.C., TCA, Internal Affairs Department

Published 12/31/2009 - 5:25 p.m. CDT

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Chris G. Dalrymple ...

Website:
http://www.fixback.com

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UNIFY: "to make into one," from French unifier from Latin unificare "make one."

So when is this profession going to be "made one"? The probabillities of this ever happening are remote, it has yet to happen for any length time in the history of chiropractic. About the only time that chiropractic was "unified" was the time period between 1895 and 1906 at which time chiropractic schools besides D.D. Palmer's were opened and the diversity within the profession began. After this time chiropractic was about as "UNunified" as can be. In Texas, it wasn't until about 1916 that the profession began to unify, but even then it couldn't quite come together under one roof.

What the profession needs is not unification but rather unity. Where unification is "being made as one", unity is "oneness, sameness, agreement."

UNITY: from French unite, from L. unitatem "oneness, sameness, agreement," from unus "one".

Perhaps you recognize the Latin word unum; as in e pluribus unum--"Out of many one". It was the motive for the founding of this nation--out of many peoples a state, out of many states one nation. While unification may be difficult to acquire, for there are many different tastes, likes, dislikes, philosophies, beliefs, faiths, and so on; Unity may be more readily acquired. All that is needed for unity is agreement. All that is needed for agreement is communication and a sense of purpose for the greater good.

The first step in determining what is needed for the greater good is communication--the exchange of ideas. This exchange may ONLY come through purposeful action. One must see, hear, or talk through some medium of idea-exchange in order for ideas to be shared and for the greater good to be realized.

In this world of maximum diversity--video, audio, and print media available on every hand and at every turn, perhaps the first "greater good" is to determine where your source of professional communication will come from. Be it one, or more of the national chiropractic associations, or through one or more of the state level professional or specialty associations, one should draw their information from reliable sources, and all sources should share information so that the greater good is as widely distributed as possible.

The Texas Chiropractic Association is working to establish this, and is working to support others, who are striving to create just such a communications network. As a start we urge you to regularly check:

The Texas Journal of Chiropractic at http://texasjournalofchiropractic.eznuz.com AND to share news and information which YOU find of interest.

The Texas Chiropractic Association web site at www.chirotexas.org for information and breaking news regarding the profession at state and national levels.

And remember to check the TCA Member News after you log in to check for association news and information provided exclusively to TCA members. We are working to bring important news to the attention of our members first as well as to the profession and the public.

When will we unify the profession? Probably never, but the profession may certainly stand in unity for the greater good of the profession as a whole, the patients we serve, and the public at large.

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