Yeah, "Doctor?"

I have heard through the grapevine that some people are dubbing this blog, “Heidi’s Rant.” They must not find entertainment in my thoughts. So for them here is a nice picture.

For everyone else here is my rant.

I have been getting the same question over the last six months or so, “Are you sure you want to be a Chiropractor? Why don’t you be ____________" (and fill in the blank with the career you think I would be most suitable for). For those who were wondering, yes I want to be a Chiropractor and yes I am sure. I don’t see why it is so hard for people to be supportive. Everyone from family, friends, and even my dentist has asked are you sure you want to be a (gasp) Chiropractor!? It’s not like I am aspiring to be a stripper or a drug dealer […although].

I know in the back of everyone’s mind they are thinking, ‘ well Chiropractors aren’t “real” doctors’, and some may go as far as to say that Chiropractors are just plain quacks. Well I am sorry to inform you, but in every field you will find people who are unethical and dishonest.

You can’t tell me that this Medical Doctor (M.D.), who has performed Botox, cheek implants, three nose jobs, three lip implants, two boob jobs, three breast lifts and liposuction on the arms, hips, thighs, stomach and knees of this 31 year old isn’t a quack.

Or what about the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) who was recently accused of reusing syringes in his Las Vegas clinic— a practice that could allow vials of anesthetics to be tainted with infected blood from the first patient and then passed on to other patients. Health inspectors in January linked a hepatitis outbreak to this case.

And it’s not just medical personal who are quacks. What about her-

Or them-

My point is-don’t bash the profession until you have really given it a good chance. I find that the people who are so aghast at me becoming a Chiropractor know little about the profession. To clarify I have no intentions to pretend that I am a “real” doctor disguised in Chiropractor clothing. I did not apply to any medical schools, or any D.O. schools or any P.A schools. I only applied to Chiropractor Schools, because I only want to be a Chiropractor. The philosophy of Chiropractic and PREVENTATIVE medicine makes so much more sense to me, and the rest of the nation is following close behind.

· A few years ago a law was passed that said by the year 2010 every Veterans Affairs Hospital must have full time Chiropractors on staff.

· Just recently a bill was signed in congress that Chiropractors would be eligible to participate in the National Health Corps, which provides medical treatment to underprivileged and medical deprived areas of this Nation.

· Chiropractors are doing great things in non-profit organizations like Kentuckiana, which offers free Chiropractic services to children who have severe disabilities like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and the like.

· Studies indicate a 45-55% saving in overall costs when treatments are provided by chiropractors instead of medical doctors.

I know that there are plenty of Chiropractors that are out there to make money. But again isn’t that the goal of so many doctors, lawyers, salesmen, businessmen….However it is not my goal to become independently wealthy while sacrificing my morals and commitments to patients. At this point (just completing my first trimester) I would like to pursue one of these three career options.

·Work at a total wellness center. These centers use an integrated health approach, incorporating the knowledge and skills of Medical Doctors, Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine, Registered Dietitians, Physical Therapist, and even massage therapists, acupuncture technicians and psychological councilors. I would love working at a place like this because the main focus is on PREVENTION. (For a great example of this type of clinic check out www.Canyon Ranch.com or click on the ultraprevention link on the left.)

· Work at a clinic under the National Health Corps. These clinics are usually in rural areas or urban areas, where the citizens would not be able to have access to medical care any other way. Not only would it be a great way to educate people about chiropractic, but I feel it would really give me an opportunity to change lives.

· Work at the VA hospitals. The number one complaint from the Gulf War Veterans was back pain. Our wonderful soldiers can really benefit from the use of chiropractics, and I would be honored to work with them.

I want to be a Chiropractor because I believe in the possibility of change. If we change the way we eat, the way we exercise, the way we think, and the way we treat our bodies-we could live in a very changed world. I also believe that health has to be integrated. It can’t just be one sided. You can’t rely on Chiropractics alone. I know this because modern medicine saved my life. But (and this is a big BUT) if you could get to the point of not having to rely on modern medicine, if you could prevent the disease before it even happened…wouldn’t that be great? And that is why I want to be a Chiropractor. And yes I’m sure.