E-mail sent to me as a reply to my Question and Answer e-mail sent 12-12-98 I read the question and your answer about burn out with some deja vu. I have been fueled by the fires of burn out for many years. Although your answer reads well it has many holes for those of us suffering with the malady of self doubt in regards to being a chiropractor. Your basic premise is based on the assumption that the chiropractic philosophy is correct and true, much like gravity is correct and true and factual. It seems to me that we have no unquestionable truth to what we chiropractors do. That is not to say that there is no value in what we do or that the chiropractic principles are not, indeed, fact based on universal truths. It's just that the wisdom of this era has not yet found within itself the methodology to discover the truth and claim it as universal truth for all to see and know. What you ask of your (and all other) burned out doctor(s) is to make, what literally amounts to a leap of faith. Unfortunately, burn out makes that leap seem too wide a chasm to leap. So, what is a burned out dc to do? I've been in practice for nearly twenty years now, have had a thriving practice (40 plus new patients each month, up to 80 pv a day, much money coming in), lost almost all of it, no wait, I lost it all. Right after that damned malpractice suit. I took my injured and frightened ego and sought a new business venture. A parenthetical piece of advice if I may. Never, ever, not in any way shape or form, make any financial, career or business decisions within three years of suffering through a malpractice suit. It's a definite lose/lose proposition. Anyway, back to my story. Shortly after my malpractice situation I embarked on another business venture and within eighteen months lost a half million dollars. Real cash money, not just accounting and paper games. So, here I was, my practice was devastated, my chiropractic heart broken, my savings and investments all gone. That was about 5 years ago. I have gone from debt free to over $100,000 in credit card debt plus numerous other loans and legal entanglements from the failed business. Burned out, nah, I was to the point of ashes. I wish that I could say that this has a happy ending, but it does not. At least not an easy one that burned out DC's could easily apply and utilize to regain their heart and soul and desire and passion for life. We are scorned by the majority of the population. We are vilified by the accepted health establishment of the MD. We are considered thieves by most insurance companies. Our own brethren spit at each other in open debate about the correctness of various approaches to applying chiropratic to our patients. Our life long patients die from disease we were taught that chiropractic could "cure". Our own children suffer with many of the diseases we claim to help. We have back aches and headaches. Our claims are denied by insurance companies and now the FTC wants to proclaim that all of our health claims are bogus. And, Joel, you tell the burned out ones to go back to the philosophy and make a leap of faith when faced with so much negative reinforcement of who and what we are. Really? Were it too be that simple. This journey we call chiropractic, for some it is a cash cow, for others a holy calling, and for most it is a struggle. I submit to you that the majority of good, truly honest, caring chiropractors are struggling, are filled with self doubt, are closer to burn out than self fulfillment. Take a poll, Joel, let's find out the true situation and state of chiropractors today. I chose to begin selling a fine product to other chiros (not MLM but real one on one sales). I have met and spoken to hundreds of DC's in the northeastern USA. My observations have been that the "successful" ones are running PI mills bordering on shameless and questionable ethics, or they pedal fear to their patients and sell them pre paid health plans of dubious value. A handful of principled, ethical, caring and successful DC's are out there, but the rest are swooning in small practices barely making a living. So, what is the point of my diatribe? Joel, it's quite simple, this is a complex problem and for many of us it is a soulful journey and our souls learn from suffering. (Wish it weren't so, but it is). We learn best and most when it hurts. My soul's journey has not the same answers as your burned out questioner. What makes you think that the answers in your web site or in your classes will apply to any soul's particular needs? It really is not that simple. Look deeper, Joel, much deeper. You have great gifts that many others lack and seek, but they must be earned and cannot be given until one is ready to see and hear. Joel, tell your burned out friend and all of the burned out DC's out there, that life goes on with us or without our participation and that our sufferings are much like the fertilizer (read that "shit happens") on a garden. The more of it we use the more beautiful our garden, if and when it blooms. Later, Joel. I love your postings and your gifts which you so kindly share with us all My reply: Wow .. what a share and I agree 100+% to every word you wrote. I am so sorry for your previous problems .. but by your own admission .. prior to the demeaning and gut wrenching malpractice suit your were doing well and had strength in purpose .. I would hope so. But .. tell me .. what am I to do. I .. up to a few days ago .. taught for three years at Life University .. taught one class only to students about to graduate. It wasn't philosophical .. but practical .. it wasn't pie in the sky hypertalk .. but down on the earth things they could do (I did what I taught .. every one) or have someone do it for them .. ethical and meaningful ideas .. concepts and sharing .. it also wasn't kiss ass to anyone's point of view .. just my humble opinion how to create something from nothing. I gave of my time and still do .. I wrote a dynamic and practical textbook .. and maintain a daily updated webpage for all .. so .. what else can I do but to keep on keeping on (the topic of last week) I am here to encourage not discourage .. I am here to hold a hand or two .. not send them away .. I ask nothing in return but the possibility that those that wish to turn their lives around have some material to do it with. Yes .. burn out sucks and I've been replying to disillusioned students and burnt out scared DC's for sometime .. what can I do .. should I cry with them .. should I damn them and reduce their deflated ego even more and drive their non existent self esteem further into the ground. You are 100% right .. chiropractic is not all real to all people. But .. I too graduated in 1978 and have been in practice for 20 years .. and built my practice from scratch .. never high number but lots of inner peace .. not a philosophical whirlwind to comfort me .. just practicality .. So again .. cannot I not share this with everyone and send a positive message with a touch of bitter herbs .. Again .. you are 100% .. our children get sick .. my parents have passed on .. chiropractors usually wind up with the medics some day and insurance .. attorney's and even our colleagues can give a damn .. so what am I to do .. bury my head and ask for Dr. Kevorkian? You tell me how I should reply to those that ask my opinion and are burnt out .. should they take a leap .. baby step at a time .. they are asking for help .. or should I tell them to take the plunge and bail out .. chiropractic is a business .. that's the first words out of my mouth the first day of my first classes .. Business 101 .. lets do it ethically, morally and responsibly .. that's all I could do. Thanks for the share and hang in there yourself Dr. M