The television show, “ER,” in its final season has given the viewer some interesting nostalgia and touching story lines. In a recent episode, a retired physician returned to his beloved hospital, due to illness. His presence provided a great lesson to the current emergency room staff. While it is fictional, the message was clear how dedicated professionals have contributed to the healing of future generations.

During this episode the staff quickly stabilized a victim of a gunshot wound when the older physician would have been unsuccessful many decades ago. The pioneering doctor blazed the trail creating new systems and procedures that have become standard practice in the hospital so more lives could be saved. While this character was witnessing the results of his perseverance, the current crew gave him honor realizing they would have been in a different situation without his commitment.

Chiropractic has its own quiet heroes throughout history since the profession was first organized 114 years ago. Chiropractors were jailed for practicing medicine without a license and often continued seeing their patients from jail cells because the public saw the value in spinal adjustments.

Over time, once lawmakers and medical agencies understood chiropractic was not a medical approach, it became a licensed profession. Dr. Herbert R. Reaver, who passed away in 2000 at the age of 93, was known as the chiropractor in Ohio who had the most arrests during his lifetime.

I remember as a chiropractic student in Seneca Falls having a compelling conversation with Dr. Lloyd Henby as he discussed how he was arrested in the 1960s in Watkins Glen. He passed away in 2006 leaving me with a pleasant memory of his carefree spirit as he talked of it as nothing but a curious adventure.

Another chiropractic pioneer I never had the chance to meet was Dr. Lorranie Golden who started Kentuckiana Children's Center. It has been serving children with developmental and psychological disorders free of charge since 1957. Florida chiropractor Dr. Ted Carrick who specializes in neurology has a reputation for waking up coma patients.

Thanks to their dedication and tutelage along with countless other chiropractic pioneers, they have passed on the art, science and philosophy to chiropractors who today can show how the health of the spine is crucial to total well-being.

Having the opportunity to remove stress from the spine has helped people avoid surgeries, infertile women have conceived and given birth, asthmatics have been able to breathe easier and hyperactive children have been able to feel more comfortable in their own skin. Their stories are as unique as the human body itself each time human potential is allowed to be expressed through a liberating adjustment.

You are encouraged to enter a chiropractor's office and absorb the cumulative experience of 114 years of chiropractic. Hopefully you will sense the commitment of our past mentors who went to jail for their devotion. You will definitely learn how the wonderfully assembled human body wakes us when spinal function is enhanced.

Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com