Greetings to all! It is a wonderful day to be a chiropractor. Every day we get to touch people and change their lives. Every day is another opportunity to make a difference. Subluxation correction in its pure, unadulterated form is a very special and unique way of life. And yet, even those of us who have been in the field for a while sometimes forget how special and unique we are.
This morning I was reminded of the importance of what we do by my son’s pediatrician. No, he did not extol the virtues of chiropractic -- but what he said made me appreciate my life as a straight chiropractor. This morning, my 6-1/2 month old son woke up with a fever. Now, I know that fever is the immune system’s way of dealing with harmful pathogens and is actually a good thing. As a chiropractor and educator I had preached this to parents for years. And then… I became a parent myself and my world was turned upside down (in a good way). As a parent I want so much to be a good mother and to nurture and protect my son, and I find myself feeling things I have never felt before. Suddenly, I am scared. I know fever is good but what if…? All sorts of possible diagnoses begin to bombard my mind. Finally, I broke down and called the pediatrician.
Thankfully everything checked out fine and the doctor said he probably just has a sinus infection. Then he said something that jolted me back to myself. “Ma’am,” he said, “I have to tell you, I am very conservative when it comes to prescribing medicine… because for one thing, I don’t think it does very much good. In most cases the child’s body handles the illness and it goes away on its own. As far as I’m concerned your baby’s body is doing what it is supposed to, so lets just leave it alone and I’ll see him in a week to check his progress. It appears to be nothing major. In fact, he is playing and smiling and not even acting sick. He is the happiest little guy I’ve seen all day.”
As I drove home I thought, “Isn’t this what we do as chiropractors?" The goal of correcting the subluxation is to restore nervous system integrity and allow the body to do what it was designed to do. In this regard, even the symptoms we fear and try so hard to get rid of can be good in that many times these are signs that the immune system is at work.
I left there actually feeling good. Yes my son still has symptoms, but I know that his body is doing what it designed to do, and I am thankful that I am a part of that as a chiropractor and that his being under regular chiropractic care is the right thing to do.
Students and fellow chiropractors, I encourage you to never ever forget how special you are and what a gift you are to the world. Don’t be tempted to settle into the role of merely relieving back pain and neck pain. Don’t let anyone convince you subluxation correction is narrow-minded, outdated or backward. The creative ways that exist to correct subluxation are almost limitless, and there is much to learn. So learn all that you can in order to practice skillfully and to do so with love and passion.
This is what I want to impart to my students and desire for them to take with them when they leave. It is my desire for them stand out as chiropractic beacons of light and specificity in a world where many in our profession seem just as confused about what they do as the public they serve. This is my goal here at Sherman College and why I decided to return some 11 years after graduation. Have a blessed day.
Rochelle Delain is a 1992 Sherman College graduate who returned to the Sherman family as a faculty member in 2003. She is an assistant professor of clinical sciences and a member of the health center faculty. Dr. Delain also has an A.A. in medical sciences from Wesley College and a B.S. in biology from Excelsior College. She was in private practice in Anderson, SC, for nearly 5 years and currently practices part time in Spartanburg and Inman, SC. Dr. Delain is certified in the Webster technique, and specializes in adjusting pregnant women, infants, and children. She enjoys writing and publishes the bimonthly health center newsletter, “Straight to Your Health.” She also enjoys music (playing violin and singing), reading, cooking and entertaining, traveling, outdoor activities, church activities and spending time with her family.
I am extremely excited about the spring 2008 quarter after a much deserved and needed break at the end of March. I really enjoy teaching my philosophical applications course where students learn the chiropractic philosophical principles and apply them in the active practice setting. 
I started running last winter. My first race, The Frost Bite Run, was a 5K, which I actually finished. Most races, as I have come to learn, have great snacks for the runners. This particular race gives each runner who finishes a big chocolate chip cookie. Ah, here is motivation I can get excited about! My training mantra was, “I’m running for the cookie!” And it was a good cookie!!!
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