Chiropractic purpose
Adjustment
In Stephenson’s account, the purpose is to address interference.
The big idea
The useful first distinction is between the practitioner’s action and the body’s activity. Stephenson says an adjustment does not add the organizing force; he describes it as allowing activity that interference had prevented. This page explains that historical purpose, not how to perform an adjustment.
An everyday illustration
Opening a stuck gate makes a path available; the gatekeeper does not become the person walking the path.
An original illustration to help explain the idea, not a quotation or evidence of a biological mechanism.
In the author’s words
“Adjustment does not add any material or forces to the body but allows Innate to restore to normal what it would have had, had there been no interference.”
1927 edition · PDF page 34
Explore this book
Short excerpts from the indexed edition; line breaks are normalized. PDF page numbers refer to the source file, and may differ from printed page numbers.
Read it in context
This passage states Stephenson’s rationale for adjustment. Its historical explanation should not be read as a guarantee of a particular clinical outcome.
Keep the question going
Explore adjustment with Ask B.J.
How does the Green Books discussion of adjustment help a new reader understand chiropractic philosophy? Explain simply, cite the relevant passages, and distinguish historical philosophy from current clinical evidence.
Take this question to Ask B.J.Your question will be filled in for you to review. Ask B.J.’s existing account and daily question limits apply.