A Holistic Approach to Healing

Foundational belief spanning generations and the world.

Victor Strang, D.C., FPAC, (Main, ’77) has been teaching philosophy at Palmer for 42 years. In addition, he and his father, Virgil Strang, D.C., (Main, ’49) who served in multiple capacities, including dean of philosophy for Palmer College, ran a private practice for a combined 67 years.

As the faculty member who teaches philosophy at every point in the curriculum, he has the unique privilege of being with students throughout their journey from lay person to doctor of chiropractic.

“It’s the most rewarding part,” he said. “I can see how strong our program is through the transformation of our students from start to finish.

“One message that we impress upon students is that chiropractic is much bigger  than they thought,” says Strang. “The body can heal itself much better than we give it credit for, and the fact that I practiced with this belief for so many years gives me extra credibility with the students.”

This philosophy spans generations and geography.

Current Palmer students Matthew Turner and Andreas Haggiandreou grew up a world apart from each other. Matthew relocated his wife and three children from Oregon, and Andreas traveled from Cyprus, both to study at the Fountainhead. Their passion for chiropractic philosophy began when Andreas read the Chiropractic Textbook by Ralph W. Stephenson, D.C. and then urged his classmate, Matthew, to do the same.

“My mentor, a 1967 Palmer graduate who urged me to study at the best, taught me: Philosophy asks the question, science answers the question, and that answer is delivered through the art,” Andreas explains.

“Palmer is the best school and we have amazing professors. We wanted to create a platform where students and professors could come together and share thoughts, perspectives and experiences related to the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic,” says Matt.

Together, they’ve recently formed the Principled Chiropractic Club at Palmer.

“During our meetings, guests talk about their favorite principles, favorite art, and anytime someone talks about philosophy, it’s always backed by science. It’s the three-legged stool,” Matt continues. “Without philosophy, I don’t know how you’d survive this profession. We learn it in class; it’s up to us to take the time to study and understand it outside of class.”

Scott Meisel, D.C., M.S. (Main, ’84) impresses this upon his students as well. As the professor for the first quarter philosophy class, Chiropractic History and Philosophy, at Palmer Florida, Meisel teaches students about the evolution of all health care, and how chiropractic became a part of the health-care field.

Dr. Meisel also had a long career in private practice before joining the faculty at Palmer: 31 years to be exact.

“I tell my students that in practice they’ll have patients who’ll report unexpected improvement on health issues that were unrelated to their back and neck pain. Chiropractic philosophy is a vitalistic concept of the body’s ability to heal itself once the nerve interference is removed. This is what we call innate intelligence. Our profession has endured historically hard times and it has been our chiropractic philosophy that has allowed us to survive these past 125 years.”

Dr. Strang has witnessed a lot of change in his 42 years of teaching.

“We still see a lot of students from legacy chiropractic families, but we’re seeing even more students who weren’t previously exposed to chiropractic. They’re seeking a field where they can provide holistic care for their patients; they seem to come to us already recognizing the innate power of the body.”