“The Big Idea” of Chiropractic

A popular saying in Chiropractic is from B.J. Palmer: “The Big Idea.” The Big Idea is about how small things in life can make big impacts.

“A slip on the snowy sidewalk, in winter, is a SMALL thing. It happens to millions. A fall from a ladder, in the summer, is a SMALL thing. That also happens to millions. The slip or fall produces a subluxation. The subluxation is a SMALL thing. The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve. That pressure is a SMALL thing. The pressure cuts off the flow of mental impulses. That decreased flowing is a SMALL thing. That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain. That is a BIG thing to that man. 

Multiply that sick man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply that man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a State. Multiply that man by one hundred thirty million, and you forecast and can prophesy the physical and mental status of a nation. 

Now comes a man. Any one man is a SMALL thing. This man gives an adjustment. The adjustment is a SMALL thing. The adjustment replaces the subluxation. That is a SMALL thing. The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves. That is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restores health to a man. That is a BIG thing to that man. 

Multiply that well man by a thousand, and you step up physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply that well man by a million, and you increase the efficiency of a State. Multiply that well man by one hundred thirty million, and you have produced a healthy, wealthy, and better race for posterity. So adjustment of the subluxation, to release pressure upon nerves, to restore mental impulse flow, to restore health, is BIG enough to rebuild thoughts and actions of the world.

The idea that knows cause, that can correct cause of dis-ease, is one of the biggest ideas known. Without it, nations fall; with it, nations rise. The idea is the BIGGEST I know of.”

– Dr. B.J. Palmer, “THE BIG IDEA”

For example, a slip or fall can be a small thing that can lead to vertebral subluxation. Vertebral subluxation can put pressure on nerves, yet this subluxation can also lead to dysfunction within the body, which is a big thing.  

A Chiropractor may just be one person who performs an adjustment to correct vertebral subluxation, a small thing in this world. But when that adjustment leads to major functional improvements, that is a big thing.  

The Big Idea within Chiropractic is that if correcting one person’s health and well-being can be multiplied by millions, that can improve the quality of life of communities and nations. Small chiropractic adjustments can turn into big returns for those who invest into this idea of living in alignment and free of neurological interference.  

They say that we, as a human species, make over 30,000 conscious decisions every day! Think about that…over 30,000 choices each day and most, if not all of them, are small decisions. Small choices that either build us up or tear us down.

Being aware of the fact that you and your family and friends have that many decisions each day is the first step in making alterations in the direction you’re going, if you’re not satisfied with the results you’re getting from your quality of life.

Giving your time and resources to making alterations that can help you achieve a higher quality of life can be referred to as “devoting to the adjustment.” Devoting to adjustments in the decisions and choices we make every day is vital to your success for optimal wellbeing.

Now take that devotion to a higher quality of life for your well-being and share it with your family and friends. Find the little ways to show others on how important small adjustments can be towards moving the needle towards a balanced state.

The human body is full of inner potential for more health and higher function, creating a harmonious operating system from within. Say “yes” to adjustments in the way you think and act so you can receive more health and well-being, and share it with your community.

B.J. Palmer’s Big Idea led him to devote his life to raising awareness of chiropractic care and its impact on the health of the human body. Now is your time to share that awareness with others!