Chiropractic History

In Davenport, Iowa, the first chiropractic adjustment was given on September 18, 1895, by Daniel David Palmer (also known as D.D.).  The first chiropractic patient was Harvey Lillard, a deaf janitor in D.D.'s building.  Before their meeting, Harvey Lillard had totally lost his hearing 17 years prior.  D.D. offered to check his spine for subluxations (nerve interference by way of misaligned vertebra) that he suspected to negatively influence the function of his hearing.  After this first historical adjustment, within three days, Harvey's hearing was completely restored.  This was the initiation of chiropractic.  D.D. had established himself in the eyes of his community as a healer who could cure deafness by "laying on of hands".

This is the true miraculous story of chiropractic's inception as well as its foundation.  Years prior, D.D. had been preparing himself for this momentous opportunity with Harvey Lillard by studying anatomy and physiology.  From his studies, D.D. reasoned that since the nervous system was known to be the master communication system in the body, interference to the nervous system would interfere with normal body function and health.  Examining the anatomy of the body via numerous autopsies, he reasoned that due to the location of the spinal cord within the spine, and the delicate departure of paired spinal nerves from the spinal cord through holes formed by two adjacent vertebrae, misalignments of those adjacent vertebrae would interfere with the function of those paired nerves.  

Fact: Impaired nerves equals abnormal body function.

D.D. was correct in his assumption by adjusting the deaf janitor's misaligned vertebra; an optimum spine presented him a new state of relieved nerve interference which equated to Harvey's original health - normal hearing and total body function. 

Fact: An optimum spine equals optimum health.

The public response to the first adjustment was extremely enthusiastic. The news spread like wildfire, and people with very diverse ailments flocked to seek care from the person who could "cure the deaf" with his hands. Within 3 years, the Palmer School of Chiropractic was started.  It is interesting to note that in the first class of 12 students, half of them were practicing medical doctors.  Chiropractic was founded as a health care system that has an impact on the entire body, and it is with this philosophical and scientific foundation that has allowed chiropractic to grow into the second largest health care system in the United States.  Chiropractic that has over 60,000 practicing chiropractors with well over 20 million adjustments per year.

Differing Philosophies, Techniques, and Care Protocols

Symptomatic Chiropractic

The name 'symptomatic'  categorizes this type of treatment - acute spinal care to the treatment of pain.  Symptomatic Chiropractic focuses its attention on relieving a patient from pain related to car accidents and work injuries or from chronic problems. The purpose and care protocols of Symptomatic Chiropractic is not to provide or monitor improved spinal alignment.  This type of care is short-term in nature because of the relationship and dependency on insurance reimbursement.  Here, chiropractors use various other treatment modalities like electro stimulation, TENS units, acupuncture, and laser to provide pain relief.  Approximately 95% of the Chiropractic profession falls under the Symptomatic Chiropractic category.

Corrective Chiropractic

The most suitable analogous name for a corrective chiropractor is: 'Chiropractic Orthodontist'.  Pre and post x-rays are a key hallmark to this type of chiropractor because structural correction (a well aligned spine) is the product outcome of Corrective Chiropractic, as straight teeth are for an Orthodontist.  The benefit of Corrective Chiropractic is whole body wellness as well as symptom relief via healthy spinal alignment producing normal health.      

This type of chiropractor is defined by these characteristics and scientific tenets:

1. A cash-based system characterizes the doctor-patient relationship because insurance coverage does not recognize or pay for anything health promoting...period.  

2. Health is each and every individuals responsibility.

3. An optimum spine equals optimum health.  

4. Life causes spinal misalignments creating nerve interference from the birth process, to falls sports injuries, prolonged sitting, to chronic poor spinal hygiene and the list continues.

5. If one has not maintained his or her spine from birth, extensive correction is crucial before maintenance ensues.

6. Spinal maintenance in the form of corrective chiropractic should begin at birth and continue throughout life; like teeth are maintained; as soon as they grow in and until we die.

7.  Lifetime corrective chiropractic care is a smart healthy choice to maintain spinal health, thus, overall health. 

Conclusion

In the modern world, corrective chiropractic for health is not a luxury but rather absolute necessity.  At Bonfire Health we strongly recommend for everyone to hire a corrective chiropractor on their health care team for optimal health. 

The Power of Chiropractic

This past Tuesday, Dr. Allen Bastecki, one of the top associate doctors at Lifetime Family Wellness Centers, presented a workshop titled "Get Fit and Lose fat".  He opened with a story that truly moved me to no end and made me realize for the umpteenth time how miraculous chiropractic is to everyone's health.  I would like to encourage you with Dr. Allen's chiropractic story and at the same time, ask a favor from you.  If you are inspired by the following story and have been personally affected by chiropractic in any way, please share your story on our Facebook Fan Page.

Dr. Allen’s Chiropractic Story

Dr. Allen grew up in a home where he couldn’t raise his voice or play as normal children did with his other siblings.  You see his father, Mr. Bastecki, had migraine headaches ever since he could remember.  At least every three weeks Dr. Allen’s father would experience a full blown migraine attack that would totally incapacitate him for three days.  The migraines were the kind where the victim would have to lay down in a dark room and do nothing other than writhe in pain.  Any noises whatsoever could not be tolerated.  So, it was during those specific times Dr. Allen remembers that whispering was the only form of communication allowed.  He said, “Because of my father’s migraines, I didn’t have a normal childhood.”

Mr. Bastecki’s migraines were so bad he was prescribed powerful medication in the form of suppositories that would knock him out for three straight days.  The migraines were so bad that even after they were “gone,” his father always had pain in his head.  He wasn’t exaggerating either by saying the word always. He mentioned that the pain in Mr. Bastecki’s head really never went away, but would ‘explode’ into a debilitating incapacitating disease once every three weeks where ‘special’ child behavior was imperative.  Because of the headaches Mr. Bastecki was extremely moody, short with patience and had a short fuse when it came to his temper.  Every day for Dr. Allen and his siblings was how not to further upset or aggravate their father.  They literally walked on eggshells in regards to everything they did, said, and even how loud they said it.  The Bastecki children had to exemplify restrained behavior at all times around their father. 

In Dr. Allen’s own words, “Imagine a childhood in this environment; four children all two years apart and not being able to play or to laugh for fear of making their dad snap.  Imagine the despair of a mother with four small children married to a man she couldn’t recognize.  Dr. Allen’s childhood was very different than most normal childhoods.  He wasn’t a nice man, or father or husband to Dr. Allen’s recollection.  He couldn’t remember his parents showing loving affection towards each other either.

Chiropractic - The Miracle

After trying any and every treatment regimen on the planet, Mr. Bastecki was desperately referred to chiropractor by a friend.  His feelings towards chiropractic were skeptical, however, he was at the end of his rope and willing to try anything. 

Inside a month of receiving chiropractic adjustments, his migraines and headaches disappeared.  Dr. Allen excited said, “Because of chiropractic, I got my father back and my mother got her husband back.  My father transformed literally over night and became ‘NICE’, we could play with him and he started holding hands with my mom and to this day, after being married over 50 years, they still hold hands.”  In fact, Mr. Bastecki’s life transformation was so impacting to the Bastecki’s that not only did Dr. Allen become a chiropractor but his older brother Tony became one too.

Share Your Story

Chiropractic needs your help.  People need your help.  If you have been inspired by Dr. Allen’s story and have one of your own to tell, please write your story and post it on the Facebook Fan Page!  If we could get thousands and thousands of chiropractic success stories and share them with the world...we can change the perception of the people.  This includes patients of chiropractic, chiropractors and anyone who works in a chiropractic office.

Here are some questions to consider when writing your story:

• Who brought you to chiropractic?
• What did you seek chiropractic for?
• When did you receive your very first adjustment?
• What changes in your health have transpired since getting adjustments?
• How do you currently feel emotionally, physically, and or spiritually from better alignment and nerve system function?

God Bless - Dr. Bruce Wong

In today's society, where have our absolutes gone?  This may be a confounding question at first because there are so many areas that society and culture has gone astray from the beliefs our forefathers and past generations  beheld.  In regards to social and moral absolutes, when I grew up you were respectful towards your elders!   In their presence, I was not allowed to swear, answer back, or be disrespectful at home or in school, period.  If I swore, there were consequences, physical discipline at home and discipline and or detention at school.  I attended a strict private high school on the island of Oahu, Iolani School.  I have so many fond memories…including those of doing pushups, given detention, or literally being picked up off the ground by my ears when a teacher was unhappy with my behavior or attitude.  Yes, it is possible to be picked up by your ears without them falling off. 

Those were the good old days...

Those were the days of valuable lessons for me to grow in social and moral character:

• I learned to respect my elders... when adults spoke I never answered back and said , "Why?" 
• I learned to accept the consequences for my actions...or think twice about what they would be if I chose something beforehand. 
• I learned that my parents and elders wanted the best for me...there was always a talk that went along with discipline in regards to the lesson I learned.
• I learned that my parents and elders cared about who I would become...I was encouraged when lessons were applied correctly.

As you can see, when I grew up there were respectable social and moral absolutes, maybe not as many as when my parents or grandparents grew up, but nonetheless, we were taught them through the lessons of consequences by our elders.   In fact, every species on planet earth teach their offspring this valuable lesson:

There is a consequence for every choice.

So where did we, as humans, go astray?  In the 1960's, there began a movement that unquestionably accelerated the obliteration of our cultural and societal absolutes.   In the 1960's, the freedom movement began in America and I am not referring to the Civil Rights Movement.  What I am referring to is the 'freedom to be yourself and think what you want movement'.  The decade from 1960-1969 was labeled the Swinging Sixties because of the libertine attitudes that emerged from this particular time in history.  The sixties were heavily influenced by the prolific use of drugs, hence when everyone was high EVERYTHING was even more...O.K.    

How was this used in cultural context?

•  "I'm o.k."...with whatever you want to do or believe? 
• "You're o.k."...to be free to express yourself?  Whatever makes you happy!
•  "Everything's o.k."...Parents really don't understand me anyway they are from a different generation, so I will think and act on my own.  Listening to them is just not cool.

This was the Sixties which began a movement of independence away from parental guidance and along with that, the wisdom of the ages.  In my opinion, children weren't designed in society to bear the consequences for decisions that are far beyond their years of comprehension or understanding.  When this happens, all H_ _ _ breaks loose! 

Since we live in a society that relates on a communal level, our choices directly affect those around us.  In order to be a light and give hope to those around you whether they are your co-workers, friends or family members, the best gift you can give others is to live the Bonfire Lifestyle.  The Bonfire Principles can help shape your absolutes for right living.  They will not only benefit you “the individual”; but also turn you into a role model for others.

God Bless You - Dr. Bruce

On February 27, 2010, the devastating earthquake in Chile promoted tsunami warnings issued for the Hawaiian Islands.  My brother called me at 5:00 am on the morning of the 27th to inform me of the tsunami that was to arrive at 11:07 am.  At the time of the phone call I was in the kitchen making breakfast in preparation to go to a workout that I lead for my patients every Saturday morning.  As I turned the radio on, advice was given to fill up water for drinking, buy food and fill up gas tanks in cars, for a 3-5 day time period.  Not having personally experienced a tsunami before my mind began to race and speculate what it would be like in a matter of 6 hours with the arrival of the tsunami. 

The first thing I did was to wake my wife up and tell her about the earthquake and tsunami news.  The second thing my wife and I did was to pray together.  We prayed for the people of Chile, anyone who was affected by this tragedy and of course protection for what was to come.  As we listened to the news updates, we started to call friends who lived on the coast or low lying areas to invite them up to our house.  We live on a hill overlooking the ocean so we were not only safe but had a good view of the coming tsunami to boot. 

I left the house to get water, food, and gas.  I only had 45 minutes before the civil defense warning sirens were to sound off a disaster warning at 6:00 am to give the people of Oahu ample warning to prepare for the impending disaster.  Gas lines were already crazy but, thank God, I found a station I didn't have to wait too long at.  Getting food was an entirely different story, however, so I left the over-crowded market parking lot and headed to my office which was nearby.  Going to a non-health food market at 6:00 am to get canned foods was not on my A-list.  In fact it is not on any of my lists, ever. 

After leaving the market parking lot, my brother gave me another phone call and a piece of his mind because his brother (me) had not waited in line like he had done for a cart full of canned foods.  What I failed to explain to him was that I was headed to my office where there were eight 5 gallons jugs of purified drinking water and a large refrigerator of food.  One of the beautiful benefits of a healthy lifestyle is having a large refrigerator at work where you can sustain proper nutritional habits.  As God always provides for me, I received a large quantity of grass fed organic beef just the day before. 

After raiding my office of food and water, I headed home knowing we would have house guests for the day or perhaps next several days.  When I arrived, my house was alive with friends.  Breakfast for everyone including the children was the first priority. Organic fresh papaya, frozen blueberries, apples with coconut oil gave us a quick nutritional boost.

Following breakfast, a workout with the parents was next on the agenda.  Since my friends were all patients of our wellness clinic, they had already bought into the concept of exercising every day.   Both women and men together shared a great functional training workout.  We did a timed workout with stations that represented different exercises.  20 minutes later we were sweating and panting, a good sign after any workout. 

We fired up the free range, grass fed, organic, no drugs-whatsoever heavenly beef I received form the day before.  I always seem to notice that there is a special hunger and desire for MEAT after a great workout.   The meal did not disappoint any cell of our bodies as we all made insatiable groans while we feasted. 

I wish the end of my story was more exciting than an uneventful tsunami, but it was just another healthy day in the life of being a wellness fanatic.  I would like to close with a word of encouragement.  If Dr. Bruce and friends can preserve their wellness beliefs, in the midst of a predicted impending disaster,  you too can surely maintain your beliefs without one!

God Bless,

Dr. Bruce

I grew up in central Oahu on the top of a mountain called Saint Louis Heights.  We were surrounded by a public park on one side and a 'wild' forest on the other.  We lived on an acre of property where my grandparents, mom and dad, and two uncles and aunts had adjacent homes - four in total.  As for the children, there were nine cousins including my siblings and myself all within a 10 year age span. 

Back when we grew up in the 60's to early 70's, we children did not have a single worry with regards to our personal safety.  Back in the good old days, no one worried about strangers abducting children so we played from dawn to dusk without parental supervision or a care in the world.  Our accountability to checking-in with our parents was simply to show up at meal-times.  I always knew that my mother would have a great warm meal for me.  In addition to warm food in my stomach I was showered with lots of love, from both parents.

As I look back upon my upbringing, I am filled with fond memories of a fairy-tale childhood.  My parents did their very best to raise me morally and physically as healthfully as any parents lovingly could have.  I use healthfully, however, in very loose terms because of the following revelations I now have as a mature health care professional...

1. My parents + the school system (teachers and peers) influenced me morally and socially

2. School lunches / snacks + my mother (the cook of the house) was responsible for my nutrition or 'lack' of nutrition.

3. My fitness was influenced by both aforementioned parties and any outside sports, leagues or activities.  (Thank God I was extremely active)

Let's first look at how the influences of my childhood molded me and discuss the ramifications of what it produced back in my childhood days and then fast forward to today's upbringing and the fruit it is bearing in the children of today.

I grew up in a very strict private high school where discipline for wrong or inappropriate moral behavior was enforced.  We got picked up by our ears, did pushups, detention (pulling weeds) or sitting doing homework instead of play-time for misbehaving.  Swearing, profanity, or disrespect was not allowed in my home or at school.  My moral character was sharply and definitively molded from these two powerful influential factors from my upbringing. 

The major lesson I learned; a humble respect for others especially those in authority over me, and not to mention...good manners as a bonus.

In comparison to the children of the modern technological world, there is an extremely distinct difference in the way children are being raised compared to yesteryear.  As a result of our modern culture being paralyzed by perilous legal consequences, teachers are cautious at best as to what they say and do to discipline children in schools today.  Modern culture, for the majority of parents have predicated the lack of parental influence.  In order to form strong loving bonds with children, TIME spent with them is the first order of priority.  Children need to learn difficult lessons that only a parent can teach through loving discipline to mold their moral character.  Lessons like restraint, values, honesty, generosity, respect, honor, the value of money, etc.  However, an observation that I see is in fact, parents shying away from loving discipline in order to avoid being tagged the "Bad Guy" with what little time is spent with their children.

So where are our children learning lessons like respecting others especially those in authority and all the above mentioned ones and more?  TV and all available media, the web, ipods, facebook, etc...

Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

The reason for the above scripture or blog is not a cry for today's culture to bring back spanking by any means, however, it is a very loud cry and deep concern for those privileged to be called parents to lovingly teach our kids all of life's important lessons  As a parent of two incredible kids, I count it an honor to discipline my children.  I have the sold out belief that discipline through love is what will make my children grow up to have an others first attitude and at the very least they'll respect others. 

A wonderful suggestion that was given to me regarding the upbringing of my children is one that I would like to pass on to those who have KIDS...  Imagine your child as a 30 year old adult with all the traits and qualities you wish them to have (mannerisms, values, demeanor, attitude, etc.)  In addition to the traits and qualities, how do you see them living and who you see them living with?  In as much detail as possible, visioneer your ideal son or daughter and write it down.  After you write it down, create an action plan as to how you will create the ideal son or daughter you see from the child you currently have.  Oh and by the way, it always helps when you pray and ask GOD to help mold your kids for you too!

God Bless You,

Dr. Bruce Wong