Corte Madera Chiropractor Explains Knowledge vs. Wisdom

"Knowledge is knowing a fact. Wisdom is knowing what to do with that fact."
 - BJ Palmer, D.C., Ph.C., The Developer of Chiropractic"


Most people are so convinced that everything medical is scientific... factual... modern... sophisticated... the cutting edge of technology... that all this is a "given." In other words, there is no real critical analysis, no weighing of evidence, no healthy skepticism. Medicine is just accepted, swallowed whole. This is not to say that one may become disappointed, frustrated or angry at a particular doctor, or hospital, or drug, or procedure. This can and does happen all the time. But the hegemony of Medicine is not questioned.

What happens to those who DO QUESTION Medicine, like me? We are considered unscientific quacks*, maybe even just plain stupid. And, I know, those of you who are my practice members and some of my colleagues. People look at us like we're nuts. But all of this is not logical, scientific or sensible. This is cultural; this is bigotry. Like all bigotry, it is based upon fear of the unknown.

Facts? Research? Money? Institutions? Medicine has got Chiropractic beat on all of that. Sometimes it seems like all of the medical "facts" (what appear as facts, anyway) can and will obliterate Chiropractic by its sheer weight. Things that "everyone knows." The diagnostic parameters (or lack thereof), the drugs, the procedures, supported either by the weight of Tradition, or research. Tons of research, resulting in the next "breakthrough," the latest "medical advance."

Break down all of this medical stuff, and it all comes down to naming a disease or condition... diagnosis, and attacking that disease or condition... treatment. It is all "Outside-in," as if you could bring about health by attacking disease from outside the body with drugs and/or surgery. Despite the popular moniker "health care," Medicine is NOT health care; it is disease care.

How about a very basic fact, that no one with any decent knowledge of biology would dispute.. The nervous system controls and coordinates everything... every part, every function... of the body. Fact. Medical students learn this, too, and then, for their entire careers, they ignore this fact. They return to the mythology of Outside-in. Discarding, ignoring a basic fact of biology is not wisdom; it is foolishness. They lack the WISDOM to comprehend, respect and utilize the basic fact, that they lose in a vast sea of unrelated, far lesser facts. They manipulate these lesser facts to tell your body what to do. They believe that They know better than your Innate Intelligence. This demonstrates a decided LACK of Educated Intelligence, a glaring lack of wisdom.

Chiropractic understands the basic fact; it comprehends and appreciates that the body heals itself, from Above-down, Inside-out. We correct interference to the expression of Life, and we get out of the way. Wisdom!

What do YOU think?

Don Harte, D.C.
Marin Straight Chiropractor
Liberator of Innate


* "Quacks?" That's why I have my one-eyed Pennsylvania duck on my front desk.