Get The Big Idea

BJ Palmer said “get the big idea and all else will follow”.  We are living in a time of incredible technological advancement. Every other day it seems we are hearing about some new understanding or discovery in all areas of human endeavor. We are living in an instant gratification culture, which seems to be accelerating monthly. It is hard  not to find your self being swept away in expecting everything you dream of or goals you set to become reality now. When these thing do not manifest them selves it creates an underlining discontent. No where is this more prevalent as in our young ones. Living in the information age, are not only fueling these phenomena, but also creating a thick layer of data smog. Having more information, which is being shoved at us in astronomical rate, does not enhance our understanding of “process”, a fundamental component of innate expression.

“Process” is one of those concepts that we can easily forget. Everything we encounter involves some process, and by definition there is a time element. Time is a concept that seams elusive in that we all have the same amount, which is too much for some and not enough for most. When we speak of time as it relates to an innate process, it can be variable, as we all know. The challenge we face is not to lose faith in the “process” when we become impatient with how long it takes. Chiropractic and its fundamental principles have to be one of the most unique and personal ways to observe this lesson.

Our lives are a process, a constant unraveling of an innate process within. Although we may fight it at times or deny the truth that “innate” constantly strives to express we must have faith in the process. We can all be reminded to be patient.



Educating our patient about “process” is time well spent.  As we all know they come in from their frantically paced lives and want to be well yesterday.  Health as a time dependent process can seem foreign and at times frustrating to them. Education along with a physical experience is what develops faith in the innate healing process. Gonstead is so powerful in that it allows us to specifically explain to a patient where their problem is and how we can start the corrective process. Then we can actually do what we say by performing a specific adjustment, which the patient can feel. We must remember that sometimes the most dramatic processes may go unnoticed until completion of treatment.

When did you “get it”? You know the big idea or part of it at least.  I can remember the day like it was yesterday. I was a young Gonstead intern working with DR Richard Gohl [45+ yrs in practice, Gonstead fellow].  I was ready to take on the world.  I had my scope, parallel, and technique.  It was late one afternoon and I was bugging the front office person when Dr Gohl emerged from an adjusting room with a very old lady all bent over wobbling on her cane toward the exit. She thanked Doc and was out the door. I looked at Dr. Gohl and remarked how old she looked. He laughed and said that she was old when she first came in 30 some years ago and had been under regular care ever since. Wow, I thought, 30 years! What a dedicated patient!  Dr Gohl then turned and started walking to the next room stopped and told me that the funny thing was she has the same pain that she came in with 30 years ago. Confused I starred at him in disbelief as he laughed and entered the room. Then he stuck his head out and said, Yeah but she has out lived all her friends and family by fifteen years.

Things are not always as they seem.  Innate process works best free from judgment. I encourage you to share your Big Idea stories with your patients.