From the Faculty

Vitalism Conference

Bill Decken, DC, LCP

Life University hosted a conference on vitalism on April 17 and 18. The conference had a well-planned agenda and variety of presenters. While I was not able to listen to all the speakers, those I did hear explained how they see vitalistic principles at work in their fields of expertise.

    Monica Greco, PhD, from Goldsmith College, University of London., shared a thought-provoking presentation on “Metaphysical Constructs of Classical and Contemporary Vitalism.” While expressing that metaphysics an important component of chiropractic philosophy, she also cited discussions in medicine that refer to vitalism as an ethic, exemplified through behavior, rather than a theory.

Does that mean a chiropractor, practicing chiropractic, which is founded on vitalistic principles, should be held to standards that reflect the vitalistic rather than the mechanistic nature of life? That would make an interesting discussion in the politics of chiropractic education, licensing and regulation.

Peter Fisher, clinical director of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital spoke on “Homeopathy: Reinventing Vitalism.” He referenced the learned Homeopaths that went before him in asking, “What do we mean by vital force”? He says using the term “energy” is too vague because nothing is said about what animates the energy. I thought this appropriate to chiropractic as many DCs refer to energy as a substitute term for the innate intelligence of the body, and while energy may be a component of the mental impulse, it is not equated with it.

“Vitalistic Philosophy – Chiropractic” was the presentation given by David Koch, DC, DPhCS, from Life University (and Sherman College graduate). A major conference theme was Vis Medicatrix Naturae, the healing force of nature. Koch jumped right into explaining that chiropractics approach is more Vis Intelligere Naturae, describing the intelligence that directs the healing force.

The speaker representing western medicine, Molly Roberts, MD, co-director of Lighthearted Medicine Clinic, drew a laugh from the audience in opening her talk by stating “There is no vitalism in medicine.” Her experience, first in psychology, is what attracted her to investigating healing with a perspective beyond mere mechanism.

With so many chiropractors publicly presenting the allopathic approach to health care to the public, this conference on vitalism was a nice switch. Furthermore, I have learned through the dogma of chiropractic education that information isn’t all that bad, so now I can say I have more information.

 The information projected by the presenters from the fields of Naturopathy, Ayurveda and Acupuncture did not interest me because, like Homeopathy, they seem to be focused on manipulating the healing force of nature rather than allowing the intelligence of life to direct what needs to take place. The removal of interference to this intelligence being expressed is, of course, the focus of chiropractic, and Koch did a fine job of communicating that.

The exposure to fields other than allopathy was interesting, but to include these fields in the practice of chiropractic would be confusing and incongruent with chiropractic, as is allopathy. So, the challenge remains.

Will we rise to the occasion of teaching people about the above-down-inside-out principle and the effects of subluxation on it? Nobody else is doing this, and no other profession focuses on it.

A Clash of Two Cultures

by Philosophy Department Chair Bill Decken, D.C.

What is the most challenging thing experienced by a new student or instructor? Culture shifts. In the case of Drs. Luo and Wu, both from China and both of whom are fairly new to the Sherman faculty, it has been adjusting to the American student and, more specifically, the culture of the American student. Likewise, the chiropractic student is challenged to compare the outside-in, below-up (OIBU) culture of American health care with the above-down, inside-out (ADIO) culture that lies at the root of chiropractic philosophy.

Dr. Wu, having taught for twenty years in China, knows that Chinese students are steeped in tradition, with a majority of students adhering to policies and codes even when they are not written down. This, of course, runs parallel to the majority of American students enrolled in Sherman College, who have an OIBU mentality about healing ingrained in their thinking processes. Without having anything “on paper,” and often without any knowledge as to why certain procedures are done, American students tend to obey the norms of the land.

Dr. Luo explains that in China, only the best students are enrolled in higher education; it is a privilege, and the students tend to have excellent behavior. Luo taught as an assistant at Clemson University before joining Sherman College, and he sees a greater breadth of student ability here in America.

The principles of chiropractic are written down, and all students of chiropractic are encouraged to examine them, to inquire as to their rationality, and to make their health care decisions based on sound principles. This translates into sound advice and patient education once they get into practice.

Chiropractic education does not seek a student who will obey the norms of American health care just because that’s what “has always been done,” nor does it seek a student who will subscribe to the principles of chiropractic without thinking about them.

These two doctors and Sherman students have at least one thing in common, though: they are leaders in their own ways, striving to share their knowledge in the context of a different culture.

Bill Decken is an associate professor of clinical sciences and chair of the philosophy department. He has a B.A. from Marist College (1979) and a D.C. from Sherman College (1986), and he teaches Philosophy I and II, Subluxation Theories and Communications. He has been with the college since his graduation in 1986. He enjoys people and helping them grow; he also enjoys building, bicycling and spending time outdoors.

Copyright Fair Use - Dr. Bob Irwin

Of great concern should always be making sure students and faculty understand copyright law. Whether you are writing a paper to turn in for class work, publication, or preparing for a class presentation, you should abide by ethical use of information.

From time to time the question of what constitutes fair use of copyrighted materials will arise from a faculty member or student. The media Education Lab at Temple University, the Center for Social Media at American University and AU's Washington College of Law collaborated to come up with a report; The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education. You may access it:

http://mediaeducationlab.com/files/CodeofBestPracticesinFairUse.pdf

Now you will never have to worry again!
Bob.

Robert L. Irwin is Vice President for Academic Affairs and an assistant professor of clinical sciences. He has a D.C. from Life (1979) and an A.S. from SouthWestern Michigan College (1976). He has been with the college since 1998 and teaches Clinical Reasoning and Upper Cervical Technique. He enjoys golf, reading and fishing.

Sweetheart Day in Health Center - Dr. Beth Roraback

Just thought I would check in with the blogging community. It has been a hectic quarter so far. My mom ended up in the hospital, and I went to help her for a few days, and I feel a few weeks behind.

Today is the last day for me to cover review material for entrance and exit exams in the classroom.

If you are taking either, reviewing only in the class and not doing so by actual practice will not help much. Hands on is the way to go. Often multiple small errors have a bigger effect than one might assume.

Tomorrow is Sweetheart Day in the health center and is a great day for you to slip in some extra practice time in PE as we will not be starting any new patients. I wish each of well, and I hope you breeze through the exams.

-- Dr. Beth

Beth A. Roraback is an assistant professor and a member of the health center faculty. She has a D.C. from Sherman College (1990) and a B.A. from Michigan State University (1993). She has been with Sherman College since 1986 and teaches Orthopedic/Neurological, Examination I and II, Physical Examination and Diagnostic Review. She enjoys sketching, ethnic cooking, cats, art films, East/West philosophy, motorcycles, canoeing, camping and laughing. "Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones improves your outlook," she says.

I Gotta Know How to Adjust

by Beth Roraback, D.C.

When I first started seeing a chiropractor I was 23 years old.  A friend recommended hers after I was in a car accident.  Within a couple of months, I knew I had to learn how to adjust.  I never really made it past “I gotta know how to do this.”

Within a year I returned to my undergraduate program.  I had quit after taking a pharmacology course (I was pre-med) and could not see myself using the drug approach to help others.

I am blessed to have gone to a chiropractor who directed me to Sherman College.  I am further blessed to love the work I do, helping students through the process of learning spinal care through subluxation correction.

Beth A. Roraback is an assistant professor and a member of the health center faculty. She has a D.C. from Sherman College (1990) and a B.A. from Michigan State University (1993). She has been with Sherman College since 1986 and teaches Orthopedic/Neurological, Examination I and II, Physical Examination and Diagnostic Review. She enjoys sketching, ethnic cooking, cats, art films, East/West philosophy, motorcycles, canoeing, camping and laughing. "Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones improves your outlook," she says.

Hands On Rewards

by Bill Fehl, D.C.

Do you like using your hands?  Over the holiday break I transformed an unused front room of my house into a dining room.  It looks great!  New hard wood floors, crown molding, baseboard/shoe mold, chandelier, new passage way into the kitchen, etc …

One of my colleagues said he’d rather use his hands to golf!  Whichever you like – remodeling, golfing, adjusting patients – knowing how to do rewarding work with your hands is very satisfying.

William E. Fehl is an associate professor of clinical sciences. He has a D.C. from Sherman College (1983) and a B.S. from Excelsior College (2003). He teaches Full Spine I, II, III, X-ray Analysis II, Applied Technique, Gonstead, and Spinal Illustration. He has been with Sherman College since 1997. Dr. Fehl maintains a chiropractic practice on Spartanburg's westside. He enjoys camping, family activities and scriptural studies. "Nothing in chiropractic is finer, than to study it in Carolina at Sherman College," he says.

Will I have a Job after Graduation?

by Bob Irwin, D.C.

In uncertain economic times, college students often ponder whether they will have a job after graduation.

If you choose chiropractic as your career, the answer is YES!  You will be part of an exciting profession offering health care to a population eager for options.  Your options related to your career as a chiropractor are varied as well; solo practitioner, group practice with peers or interdisciplinary group practice.  Log onto www.sherman.edu for more information about an exciting career.

Robert L. Irwin is Vice President for Academic Affairs and an assistant professor of clinical sciences. He has a D.C. from Life (1979) and an A.S. from SouthWestern Michigan College (1976). He has been with the college since 1998 and teaches Clinical Reasoning and Upper Cervical Technique. He enjoys golf, reading and fishing.

Movie Maker Rocks! by Dr. Mitzi Schwarzbauer

Over the beginning of break I learned something new and I am so excited! I learned how to use Windows Movie Maker. This program is so fun and useful for me as a palpation instructor. I was so excited about this so I went right to work! I have a lot of great students but two of them, Jeffrey & Josh came to the college over their break one day and helped me make a video for an upper cervical muscle palpation tutorial. Josh drew the muscles on Jeffrey’s neck, and we filmed the directions on how to palpate them. Later I edited it, and it turned out great.  I can’t wait to see how this helps my students.

Mitzi Fox Schwartzbauer is an assistant professor of clinical sciences. She holds a D.C. from Sherman College (1996). She joined the faculty in 2004 and is the lead instructor for classes in Palpation, Toggle and Chiropractic History. She practiced at Schwartzbauer Straight Chiropractic Center in Mahtomedi, MN, for six years with her husband, Jon Schwartzbauer, B.S., D.C.

Checking In!

by Cindy Gibbon, D.C.

I spent the holidays in Denver, Colorado.  My twins live there now, and I used to. I love to go visit and we spent Christmas day skiing at Copper Mountain.

There are several faculty members (myself included) working on accreditation projects. The QEP is one which SACS is requiring of all colleges and universities in its jurisdiction. QEP stands for Quality Enhancement Program and is a program designed to help students in alternative learning environments. Our kick off was a game called CSI (Case Study Instruction).  Students participated in groups and tried to solve a mysterious case.  The best group actually received a monetary prize!

Cynthia B. Gibbon is a professor of clinical sciences and a member of the health center faculty. She has a B.A. from Elmira College (1970) and a D.C. from Sherman College (1991). She teaches Laboratory Diagnosis, Physical Exam and First Aid and has been with Sherman College since 1986. Her hobbies include activities and sports that her children are involved in, and she enjoys swimming when she has time. "Come visit us!" she says. "We pride ourselves on a community atmosphere while pursuing your D.C. degree."

Set Goals for a New Year by Dr. Pat Kuhta

The start of a new year is always exciting, full of potential and possibilities. It’s a time to begin again with a fresh perspective and focus on the future. I’m not talking about making New Year's resolutions, many of which are often abandoned by March. I’m talking about changing the path of your life.

The new year is a time to re-examine the details of your life, who you are and where you're going, and to determine if you like what you see. If the answer is no, it’s time to change. Thoughts of change can sometimes be scary and can often seem overwhelming, but there are a few simple and proven ways to make the process easier.

It’s always a good idea to put your plans down on paper. Make a list of the changes you want to make and the steps you need to follow in order to achieve them.  Putting your goals down on paper makes them tangible, and putting this list in a place where you will see it often will keep your goals fresh in your mind.

These two simple steps greatly increase your chances of success. Then choose one of your goals to focus on and actively follow the steps needed to make it a reality. When you have achieved one of your goals, place a big green check mark next to it. You can then move on to another goal. It’s okay to change goals if needed just as long as you don’t abandon the process.

Commit to following this process and chances are you will be amazed by how much you can truly accomplish.

Patricia Kuhta is a professor of clinical sciences, Director of the X-ray Department, and a member of the health center faculty. She has a D.C. from Sherman College (1994) and a B.S. from Excelsior College (2001). She teaches X-Ray Analysis and Atlas Orthogonal and has been with the college since 1994. She enjoys working out and traveling. "If individuals want to learn dentistry, they should go to dental school," she says. "If individuals want to learn medicine, they should go to medical school. If individuals want to learn specific straight chiropractic, they should come to Sherman College."