article archive
April 2007
One voice, one power
by Dr. Ron Oberstein
Throughout the history of our profession, there has been a
line drawn with two or more groups on opposite sides. Maybe
its politics, technique, philosophy or just plain ignorance
that keeps them apart. But, whatever it is, this division has
created a weakness when it comes to unifying the profession
for common issues, and ultimately having one voice that carries
with it much power.
Personally, I feel that having Democrats
and Republicans is a good thing, just as having different national
and state associations are good things. Each group allows different
voices to be heard, and being heard is important. Where it
gets sticky is when there is an issue that arises that has
nothing to do with politics, technique or philosophy, and
we as a profession cannot come together because of the polarity
that has been bred into our chiropractic culture. This type
of behavior can prove to be dangerous because at times we
are too busy fighting each other rather than those who are
attacking us.
Put politics aside, technique and philosophy aside,
and look at the chiropractor down the street who you may have
not talked to for quite some time. Could it be that he or
she has just as deep a conviction about chiropractic as you
do? That he or she loves waking up in the morning and can't
wait to get to the office to start serving patients as you
do? When you boil it down to the core, other DCs are really
no different than you and I. While they may practice differently
or belong to a different political party, differences fall
way short of the likeness. Yet, most of us never get a chance
to see that. After all, hatred is like blindness; we can't
stand to see what we don't like. Isn't it time we put aside
our dislikes, and began to see what it is we all like ‑‑ chiropractic?!
Have
you ever tried to get every chiropractor together, under one
banner, strictly for the sake of chiropractic? I have, and
let me tell you, it has been quite an interesting process.
From the "is that group belonging" to
the "if my neighbor is a member, count me out" to
anywhere in between, chiropractors would rather bleed to
death than ask their neighbor for a bandage.
Some call it principle,
others call it protective...but I call it plain stupid. We
are not talking about changing laws, changing nomenclature
or changing our philosophy. All we are talking about is helping
every chiropractor save money. But, those who love to fight
don't trust anything or anybody, and just can't see the forest
for the trees. Oh, they will come around once they see everyone
else benefiting, but until then, they would rather stand
guard with their armor and sword in case they need to attack.
If
you have the chance, get your hands on the book, "The
Knight in Shining Armor." It is literally a 25‑minute
read, but the lessons from it last a lifetime.
The book's main
character is a knight, who comes home from a hard day of
slaying dragons and rescuing damsels in distress. When the
knight gets home, he finds he cannot get his armor off, and
the chinks in his suit have gotten larger and deeper. Besides
having a difficult time breathing with the armor on, he also
realizes he cannot hug his child or wife, nor sit at the
kitchen table with his family. He finally sees what his suit
of armor really is to him.
You see, his whole life has been
about slaying dragons and rescuing damsels in distress. In
fact, he lives for it! As crazy at it may sound, his whole
identity is wrapped up in that suit of armor, along with his
self worth. What would happen if there were no dragons or distressed
damsels? He would have no reason to exist...compounded by the
fact his kids don't know him anymore and his wife barley sees
him. With this scenario, it's all too common for the knight
to create his dragons and distressed damsels, thus justifying
his existence. Can you see the metaphor as it relates to
our profession?
I am of the belief that the majority of those
who choose to become chiropractors really want to make a difference
in the world. They got into the profession for nobler reasons
than just money. And if my belief is correct, it would be
true to say that our profession has a large majority of high
level thinkers, who understand right from wrong. These people
know to stay away from that which can take them off their
course. If you identify yourself as one of these people,
does the fighting and bickering within our ranks really help
you help the world? Isn't it time we seek out those people
and groups that want to help us make a difference in this
world?
I know for me, I will not rest easy until every chiropractor
is treated fairly and has what he or she deserves...including
increased savings and lowered overheads. If it takes dealing
with the same issues and stupid comments, I will put up with
it because it will only help chiropractic. I will continue
to support the state and national associations, because they
help chiropractic. And I will continue to support all chiropractors...
because they are CHIROPRACTIC!
(Dr. Ron Oberstein, has been
lecturing and coaching chiropractors for 20 of his 25 years
as a DC. In 1994, he founded The Power Zone, a chiropractic
company that teaches doctors and their team members how to
unlock their hidden potential so they can become the best they
can be. Ten years later, Dr. Oberstein founded the Chiropractors
Buying Group, designed to offer chiropractors the finest products,
latest technology, lowest prices, and greater choices in purchases
for the chiropractic office. As the profession's sole chiropractic
buying group, CBG sets the standard for lowering costs while
providing the best products and services available. To start
saving ‑‑ up
to 67% or more ‑‑ on products used daily in the
chiropractic practice, join 4,000+ CBG members by going to
www.cbgsave.com. Or, call 800‑649‑0899 for FREE
membership.)