The Genius of Objective Chiropractic

My apology for paraphrasing the scriptural monument that François René de Chateaubriand published in 1802. This is my humble contribution to the dissemination of what R.W. Stephenson wrote in 1927 enunciating the thirty three principles on which chiropractic is based. This is original chiropractic; over the years the practice of chiropractic has shifted to therapeutics, it has become a para-medical activity and is nowadays considered as such, however an elite minority of chiropractors are still practicing according to the foundational principles and had to qualify their activity as Objective Chiropractic to differentiate it from the current trend. In the 20th century chiropractic was considered a hoax by the medical authorities and chiropractors were put to jail, but this did not deter strong personalities to keep exercising their art « au nez et à la barbe » of the medical establishment. As time passed and millions of people reporting phenomenal cures of troubles of all kinds, the authorities included the technical aspect of chiropractic retaining the therapeutic application for musculo-skeletal conditions, renaming it: "physical or manipulation therapy" and limiting its practice to license physicians; chiropractors were then prosecuted for practicing medicine; myself, in France, back in the ’70’s, I had to appear in court for defending my activity; that was a real gift from the medical organisation for the publicity it triggered. After I gave the court a lecture on what is really objective chiropractic, that it had nothing to compare with allopathic medicine, three witnesses of my patients were cited; they told their heart warming stories on how their family healed of different conditions, and finally I was released paying a symbolic franc which meant that yes I was guilty of exceeding the regulations but since I was doing good to people I should be condemned to pay a symbolic franc only (about 20 cents at the time), thanks Goodness!
Basically, "The genius of objective chiropractic lies in its laser-focused refusal to treat symptoms, instead using precise, measurable data to locate and correct vertebral subluxations. By prioritising nervous system function over temporary pain relief, it allows the body to heal itself.

The Core Philosophy

  • Nerves First: Care targets the health of the nervous system, not just an aching back.
  • Non-Therapeutic Focus: It rejects the mixed model of treating specific diseases or localised pain.
  • Innate Potential: Removing nerve interference lets the body express its full physical and mental capacity.

The Objective Method

  • Data Over Guesswork: Practitioners use specific protocols and neurological scans rather than subjective feelings.
  • Verifiable Adjustments: Checks are done before and after an adjustment to confirm the body actually responded.
  • Patient Clarity: Tangible metrics show true physiological progress over time."

The thirty three Principles of Chiropractic (known today as Objective Chiropractic)

The 33 Principles of Chiropractic are chiropractic’s core foundational philosophical tenants which were
published by Ralph W. Stephenson, D.C. in his 1927 text, The Chiropractic Textbook. These principles
are considered by many experts in the field to be essential for success in practice and to truly understand
what chiropractic is and how to apply it.

1. The Major Premise – A Universal Intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence.
2. The Chiropractic Meaning of Life – The expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.
3. The Union of Intelligence and Matter – Life is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter.
4. The Triune of Life – Life is a triunity having three necessary united factors, namely: Intelligence, Force and Matter.
5. The Perfection of the Triune – In order to have 100% Life, there must be 100% Intelligence, 100% Force, 100% Matter.
6. The Principle of Time – There is no process that does not require time.
7. The Amount of Intelligence in Matter – The amount of intelligence for any given amount of matter is 100% and is always proportional to its requirements.
8. The Function of Intelligence – The function of intelligence is to create force.
9. The Amount of Force Created by Intelligence – The amount of force created by intelligence is always 100%.
10. The Function of Force – The function of force is to unite intelligence and matter.
11. The Character of Universal Forces – The forces of Universal Intelligence are manifested by physical laws; are unswerving and unadapted and have no solicitude for the structures in which they work.
12. Interference with Transmission of Universal Forces – There can be interference with transmission of universal forces.
13. The Function of Matter – The function of matter is to express force.
14. Universal Life – Force is manifested by motion in matter; all matter has motion, therefore there is universal life in all matter.
15. No Motion without the Effort of Force – Matter can have no motion without the application of force by intelligence.
16. Intelligence in both Organic and Inorganic Matter – Universal Intelligence gives force to both
organic and inorganic matter.
17. Cause and Effect – Every effect has a cause, and every cause has effects.
18. Evidence of Life – The signs of life are evidence of the intelligence of life.
19. Organic Matter – The material of the body of a “living thing” is organised matter.
20. Innate Intelligence – A “living thing” has an inborn intelligence within its body, called Innate Intelligence.
21. The Mission of Innate Intelligence – The mission of Innate Intelligence is to maintain the material
of the body of a “living thing” in active organisation.
22. The Amount of Innate intelligence – There is 100% of Innate Intelligence in every “living thing,” the requisite amount, proportional to its organisation.
23. The Function of Innate Intelligence – The function of Innate Intelligence is to adapt universal forces and matter for use in the body, so that all parts of the body will have coordinated action for mutual benefit.
24. The Limits of Adaptation – Innate Intelligence adapts forces and matter for the body as long as it can do so without breaking a universal law, or Innate Intelligence is limited by the limitations of matter.
25. The Character of Innate Forces – The forces of Innate Intelligence never injure or destroy the
structures in which they work.
26. Comparison of Universal and Innate Forces – In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.
27. The Normality of Innate Intelligence – Innate Intelligence is always normal, and its function is always normal.
28. The Conductors of Innate Forces – The forces of Innate Intelligence operate through or over the nerve system in animal bodies.
29. Interference with Transmission of Innate Forces – There can be interference with the transmission of Innate forces.
30. The Causes of Dis-ease – Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination or dis-ease.
31. Subluxations – Interference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column.
32. The Principle of Coordination – Coordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes.
33. The Law of Demand and Supply – The Law of Demand and Supply is existent in the body in its ideal state; wherein the “clearing house,” is the brain, Innate the virtuous “banker,” brain cells “clerks,” and nerve cells “messengers.”

 

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