Dr. Brian Solofsky is a passionate proponent of traditional, scientific. and philosophically based chiropractic. a popular TECHNIQUE INSTRUCTOR. Dr. SOLOFSKY EMPHASIZES A CORRECTIVE approach to chiropractic using specific examination protocols and extensive analysis before beginning a corrective program. Dr. Solofsky believes in meeting a patient at his or her model OF THE WORLD. THIS IS WHY Dr. SOLOFSKY OFFERS BOTH GUARDED CARE (ONCE A WEEK FOR ONE YEAR. WITH REEXAMINATIONS EVERY TWELFTH VISIT AND THEN X-RAYS AGAIN AT END OF THE YEAR) AND RELIEF CARE (THREE TIMES A WEEK UNTIL THE PATIENT INDICATES HE OR SHE IS BETTER. WITH REEXAMINATIONS EVERY TWELFTH VISIT), FOR THOSE NOT INTERESTED IN CORRECTIVE CARE. THIS ALLOWS PATIENTS TO LEARN AND GROW AT THEIR OWN PACE. WHILE ADHERING TO HIS TRADITIONAL ROOTS. HE ALSO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY BY UTILIZING INSTRUMENT ADJUSTING IN CONJUNCTION WITH MANUAL AND DROP-TABLE TECHNIQUES. Although I am a 1967 Palmer graduate and Dr. Solofsky is a 1987 Life graduate, it took only a few minutes of conversation for me to realize that we have much in common. KOCH: Brian, you and I are fortunate to have personally known and studied with some of the grand masters who helped put chiropractic on the map. SOLOFSKY: Yes. we were both privileged to have been mentored and befriended by people like Larry Webster. Glen Stillwagon. Clay Thompson. Fred Barge, and Sid Williams, to name only a few. That is priceless. KOCH: That is why I relate so easily to your work and mission, which, like my own. is to share the wisdom of our profession's superstars, as well as our own knowledge and experience, with the up-and-coming generation of chiropractors. SOLOFSKY: If we don't share it. Bill. I fear much of it will be lost. The biggest deficit I see today in our profession is in the area of technique. The students in many of our schools do not even know the names or historic origins of the techniques they arc being taught. They learn a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but with no context or continuity. It is very confusing to them. It seems that no one teaches them how to determine when and how-to use a given technique, and just as importantly, when not to. KOCH: That is why mam- young chiropractors lack confidence in their abilities. It is also why they resort to treating their patients using the allopathic model of treating symptoms rather than adjusting to correct the cause. This serves neither the doctors nor their patients. SOLOFSKY: You are absolutely right. The good news is that mam recognize their deficiencies and arc hungry to learn and bring their skill sets to a higher level. KOCH: You and I have spoken at length about the chaos and uncertainty in every corner of healthcare. Share with our readers where you sec chiropractic going as we move further into uncharted waters. SOLOFSKY: Bill, as you know. I have very strong opinions on this subject. There are a lot of people in the profession who arc taking it in what I believe is the wrong direction. There arc now a lot of "designer techniques" that do not even resemble chiropractic as we know it. All of this is confusing to chiropractors and the public alike. I think we need to get back to chiropractic in its purest form. KOCH: I agree that chiropractic should be chiropractic, based on traditional principles with a good foundation in traditional techniques. But that does not mean we cannot embrace modem technology that can enhance classical chiropractic technique. You and I both use instrument adjusting as well as adjusting "bv hand." SOLOFSKY: Yes. Bill. Instrument adjusting plays an important role in my adjusting protocols. There arc things I can do with my hands that I cannot do with adjusting instruments, and there are things I can do with adjusting instruments that I cannot do with my hands. In my seminars. Principles 2 Adjusting™, the first weekend is Principles 2 Practice, the second weekend is Principles 2 Adjusting, and the third weekend is Principles 2 Analysis. When doctors complete the series, they should understand not only what needs to be done on any given patient, but how and when to do it. KOCH: I think we have similar goals in our teaching. I like to talk about getting back to the basics of doing a really thorough first visit consultation, examination, and analysis. I emphasize the importance of the initial consultation during which the doctor really listens to the patient. I believe that if we pay attention, the patient will give us clues that help us direct the next steps of examination and analysis. I believe it is of utmost importance that we take our time during this first visit and record carefully all of the details of our findings. Not for insurance claims, but because it is vital information we need to provide quality care. The adjustments must be specific and based on the objective findings of the examination. Otherwise, it is just an exercise in bone crunching, not scientific chiropractic. SOLOFSKY: Absolutely KOCH: Where do you see chiropractic going in the strange new world of Obamacarc? SOLOFSKY: I only see it going one way. The profession will be divided into two groups. There will be those who participate and jump through whatever bureaucratic hoops it takes to get paid. And then there will be those, like you and me. who continue with cash practice as we have alw ays done, delivering the kind of care that we would want to receive if roles were reversed and we were the patient. KOCH: Exactly right. Brian. It is really that simple. Brian, to illustrate that point. I"d like you to relate a story you told me about how the insurance industry planned to seize control of the future of chiropractic. SOLOFSKY: In the early 1970s, when there was little if any insurance coverage for chiropractic care, an insurance executive told one of my friends what he foresaw as the future of our profession. He said. "Health insurance policies will soon begin covering chiropractic and the chiropractors will be paid very well. They will be able to live better with bigger offices, houses, cars, and all that goes with them. Then, once they arc hooked, they will be reeled in like fish. Fees and coverage for chiropractic sen ices will be cut back. Ultimately, we will own the profession of chiropractic." KOCH: That paints quite a picture. The sad part is that his prophesy is being fulfilled. That makes our mission very clear. We have to preserve chiropractic as we know it. not just for the sake of the profession, but also for our children and grandchildren and everyone else who chiropractic can serve in the near and distant future. The only way this will happen is for there to be a solid core within the profession that remains tnic to the traditional principles while practicing using the best of advanced contemporary techniques along with those that have stood the test of time. SOLOFSKY: You hit the nail on the head. Bill. Chiropractic must be autonomous to survive in this environment. KOCH: I agree. I worry that the trend to merge chiropractic with medicine will cause chiropractic to niorph into something unrecognizable, as happened with osteopathy, and will be losl as a separate and distinct discipline. SOLOFSKY: I am doing my part to protect and preserve everything that makes chiropractic great, and which lias allowed it to survive, grow, and prosper for these 119 years. KOCH: That is my goal as well. And I intend to leave it better and stronger than I found it 50 years ago. Brian. I have really enjoyed our conversation. Let's keep in touch and talk again soon. Dr. Bill koch is a 1967 C ^imi Laude graduate of Palmer. After 30 years of practice in The Hamptons. XY. he retired and moved to Abaco, Bahamas, where he andhiswife kiana travel by boat to provide C liiropractic care to the residents of the remote out islands. Dr. Koch is author of the bcx>kx "Chiropractic the Superior Alternative" and "Coiwersations with Chiropractic Technique Masters" available through Amazon.com. He also writes a blog: "ChiroPractice Made Perfect" http: DrWilliamIIKoch.com. Dr. Koch is available to teach classes in Advanced Integrated Chiropractic Techniques. He may be contacted at outislanddc(a}DrWilliamHKoch.com
