Virginia Institute of Chiropractic

A new friend of mine, Hillel, gave me a catalogue to a rare bookseller, Bauman Rare Books. He wandered into this shop while visiting New York City. While in there he signed up for their catalogue and now receives them on a regular basis. As I thumbed my way through the catalogue, I was surprised at times at what is considered valuable and what is not. I am in no way a connoisseur of rare books and have no working knowledge of a book’s value. I usually pay what is printed on the cover or even less if it is a second-hand book!

I was keeping an eye out for the most expensive and the least expensive book in the catalogue. Coming in second place were two collections, Jane Austin’s 1927 complete works special edition and A Gallery of Children, signed by Milne; both garnishing an asking price of $4,000. Carl Sandburg’s only novel, signed,Remembrance Rock, will cost you a mere $5,500.

Each book is assigned a classification of current quality. I don’t pretend to know these categories but here are a few examples:
            Book very nearly fine, dust jacket near-fine
            About fine
            Extremely good
            About average
            Beautiful

I could tell that this is serious business and collectors could instantly tell the difference between fine and about fine. Whereas, I would have a hard time distinguishing between extremely good and fine. But, I do understand the importance of quality.

When I am doing my checks on your spine and nervous system, I am looking at the quality of nervous system tone, leg length discrepancy, Achilles tendon tension, posture, temperature variations, adaptive curvatures, head position, muscle tone and a host of other signs that I assimilate together to determine your “quality” that day. Are you “healthy” or in a state of “adaptive physiology”? Are you “clear” or “subluxated”? What is your health value?

You are each valuable beyond measure. You are a first and only edition. You were made and the template was thrown away. Unlike a book, you can heal. Your rough edges can be made new again. The feeble bodied can rise up and live. I once saw a woman who was a stroke victim that had been unable to speak or walk for sixteen years leave two hours after her adjustment walking and talking. You can heal.

You are rare. You valuable. You are worth more than I can imagine. Thank you for letting me be your chiropractor and partner with you in your well-being.

Don’t forget about March 17! You can refer a new patient for $17. It is St. Patrick’s Day and this is my version of “green” health care. There are only 17 openings that day for new practice members and five spaces are filled. Call Shea at 872-9440 reserve a place for your friend or family member.

On a sad note, the Ghana office will not be opening. The major investor in the office has had to back out from serious health issues. This is understandable, but disappointing news. After long discussion with Dr. Peter this weekend, we have mutually agreed that the Ghana office cannot happen now. I know that many of you have offered your support. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers over the past 5 months. Peter and I have worked very hard at making this happen. I know that the time and energy will not be wasted. The wisdom we have gained from this venture will assist us in serving our practice members and building a solid foundation for future growth.

This will not affect the mission trips. The June trip to Ghana is still going full steam ahead. There are several of you that have expressed interest. I look forward to serving others with you in June. The mission trip to Wise County, VA is still a go as well. Dates are being worked out and more information should be available next week.

If you would like to donate to the mission work, stateside or abroad, donations are accepted through Epik Missions.