On May 8-11, 2008 in Philadelphia, a historic event called Freedom for Family Wellness took place. It was described as “a live version of Pathways magazine” It was powerful. It was cutting edge. It was a footprint in the world’s current shift to vitalism.

Leaders in their field came together to represent the true nature of wellness: the science of vitalism and its underlying connective philosophy. Each speaker was familiar with and very supportive of chiropractic, both by personal experience and professional interactions. Each speaker offered their unique mode of care from the essential theme of vitalism as defined here, “There is an inner intelligence in your body. It is conscious. It reflects the wisdom of the universe. It is at the core of our existence. It is the essence of who we are.”

That is why without having preplanned their presentations together, or having even met each other prior to the event, each presenter’s message weaved together with profound synchronicity and aligned purpose. This is how the audience of practitioners and parents were given the insight into our unified vision for family wellness.

Years ago, when first introduced to chiropractic, my husband and I came across a quote from BJ Palmer, the developer of chiropractic titled, “The Truth.” His words resonated with us then, and our realization that this vitalistic perspective was inherent in chiropractic was our major reason for pursuing chiropractic as a profession. Here it is now for you to read and realize the deep connection and role chiropractic has in the vitalistic wellness lifestyle.

The Truth

We chiropractors work with the subtle substance of the soul. We release the imprisoned impulse, the tiny rivulet of force that emanates from the mind and flows over the nerves to the cells, and stirs them into life. We deal with the magic power that transforms common food into living, loving, thinking clay; that robes the earth with beauty, and hues and scents the flowers with the glory of the air.

In the dim, dark, distant long ago, when the sun first bowed to the morning star, this power spoke and there was life; it quickened the slime of the sea and the dust of the earth and drove the cell to union with its fellows in countless living forms. Through eons of time it finned the fish and winged the bird and fanged the beast. Endlessly it worked, evolving its form until it produced the crowning glory of them all. With tireless energy it blows the bubble of each individual life and then silently, relentlessly dissolves the form, and absorbs the spirit into itself again.

-By B. J. Palmer, D.C., Ph.C.

Vitalism is the recognition, respect and trust in this intelligent power that animates the living world. Welcome parents and practitioners to Pathways, one more footprint in the raising of the consciousness.

Many blessings,
Jeanne Ohm, DC

Dr. Jeanne Ohm is also the Executive Editor of Pathways magazine, a quarterly publication offering resources for parents to make informed health care choices. Find out more about Pathways magazine.