A post-modern approach to vitalism
Chiropractic, from its inception 125 years ago, is rooted in vitalism. As a whole, Life West subscribes to the theory that the human body actively wants to heal itself and that chiropractic care aids in the body in that process — helping to remove the obstacles the body faces in doing what it naturally wants to do.
As an academic institution, we want to be 100% clear that we appreciate the differences between data-backed and data-informed approaches to health care — both in and out of the chiropractic ecosystem.
Life West provides our students with both a broad and detailed understanding of all approaches to chiropractic care, with graduates encouraged to question the philosophies and drive the research into our collective understanding of the human body.
What that means is that Life West students will graduate with the deep, hands-on, clinical experience needed to make the purely mechanistic adjustments taught at schools that only subscribe to a mechanistic approach. Life West goes significantly further however, giving the students the vitalistic theory and approaches that are both data-backed and data-informed to help them be the most well-rounded doctors they can be.
What that means for your career in chiropractic
Chiropractors who take a wholly mechanistic approach tend to focus exclusively on treating lower back pain. That in itself is an amazing service to provide to those who need that help and the doctors who take that approach successfully will have rewarding, profitable careers.
For those who decide to take a vitalistic approach to their practices, other doors open to providing meaningful care to their patients. They likely have a broader range of patients whose treatments are more varied – performing chiropractic adjustments that go beyond the lower back.
In short, a vitalistic approach only opens doors. It shuts none.
