BJ Palmer, the developer of chiropractic, had a big vision. He even called it, “The Big Idea” –

A slip on the snowy sidewalk, in winter, is a SMALL thing. It happens to millions. A fall from a ladder, in the summer, is a SMALL thing. That also happens to millions. The slip or fall produces a subluxation. The subluxation is a SMALL thing. The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve. That pressure is a SMALL thing. The pressure cuts off the flow of mental impulses. That decreased flowing is a SMALL thing. That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain. That is a BIG thing to that man. Multiply that sick man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply that man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a State. Multiply that man by one hundred thirty million, and you forecast and can prophesy the physical and mental status of a nation.

Now comes a man. Any one man is a SMALL thing. This man gives an adjustment. The adjustment is a SMALL thing. The adjustment replaces the subluxation. That is a SMALL thing. The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves. That is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restores health to a man. That is a BIG thing to that man. Multiply that well man by a thousand, and you step up physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply that well man by a million, and you increase the efficiency of a State. Multiply that well man by one hundred thirty million, and you have produced a healthy, wealthy, and better race for posterity. So adjustment of the subluxation, to release pressure upon nerves, to restore mental impulse flow, to restore health, is BIG enough to rebuild thoughts and actions of the world.

The idea that knows cause, that can correct cause of dis-ease, is one of the biggest ideas known. Without it, nations fall;  with it, nations rise.

The idea is the BIGGEST I know of.

~Dr. B.J. Palmer

In summary, BJ knew that if each and every person received chiropractic care, the world would be a much different place. Many years have passed since BJ’s time but chiropractors are still fighting to bring the power of the chiropractic adjustment to the masses. Now, more than ever, we are starting to see a shift in healthcare. People are seeking a different answer because the answers they have been getting aren’t satisfying the needs. One main reason for that is because the current system is founded on the theory that health comes from the outside-in. The belief that we need to put something into our body or surgically add in or take out some parts in order to fix a problem. In emergency situations, this system is needed. But when it comes to creating a healthy society, we must start with a proper foundation. The truth is that health comes from within. We were born with everything we need to be healthy and to live a full life. Healthy function is a part of our design and it all starts with our brain and nervous system.

The original goal and purpose of chiropractic still today is to increase the health potential of every individual by restoring proper communication between the brain and the body. By maintaining the health of the spine, chiropractors allow the signals traveling to and from the brain to get to and from the body. This is what our bodies were designed to do; to live and to be healthy, and to be able to heal on their own when needed. This design relies on the spinal cord and nerves to be healthy and without interference(subluxation). Ensuring that these communication pathways are clear of subluxation is the sole purpose of chiropractic. When this is achieved, health is expressed. The best part about this system is you don’t need to wait until you have a problem to “get healthy”. In fact, tension on the nervous system otherwise known as subluxations are often present in the absence of symptoms. Chiropractors are specifically trained to locate and correct subluxations regardless of symptoms or dysfunction. Anyone who values optimal function and health can regularly receive chiropractic care to maintain their health whether they have symptoms or not.