Right out of chiropractic school, I went after my master’s degree on anatomy.
This was not because I didn’t want to practice. I just knew I’d be a better practitioner for it. So, I made the sacrifice and breathed anatomy for 3 straight years.
My friends would tell me of their amazing incomes and of all the people they were helping. I swallowed that jagged pill and went right back into the lab.
Every moment I spend talking about anatomy creates better connections for my patients. I see it better for myself.
When you can’t peel serratus anterior from the external abdominal oblique, you solidify that connection is present for force distribution and shoulder stability.
When you peel the kidney away from the quadratus lumborum, you solidify the idea of referred pain.
When you see the vast connections of the thoracic diaphragm, you know that breathing affects liver function, blood flow, and digestion.
I don’t know if my teaching abilities make a difference to the students. But teaching has made me a better practitioner every moment I’ve done it.
So, I won’t stop. I’m like a hurricane. I will teach everywhere if you let me, because I know it makes me better when I’m in front of my patients.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley