One of the most powerful scenes in the Shawshank Redemption is when Andy (the main character) locks out the prison guards from their office and plays an operetta from Figaro for all the prisoners in the yard to hear.

 

The prisoners all stop what they're doing and listen to the beautiful music as it reminds them that yes, even though they've committed horrible crimes, they are still human.

 

When asked later why he did it, Andy answered "To remind myself there are parts of me they (the system or society) can never get to."

 

You cease to be a human and become an animal when you lose that part of yourself.

 

That message is about having parts of you that are safe and protected. It could not come at a more important time as it seems like our world is losing its mind.

 

So how do you do that? In a world that's trying it's best to show you that everything is lost and there is no hope left, how do you maintain that part of you that makes you a human being?

 

• The most important thing you need to do upon which all other choices depend. The problem is you'll have to make this choice many times over and over before it becomes a piece of your identity.
• How to proceed after you've made that choice.
• A practical strategy for limiting your time on social media, without missing out on any updates.

This week we found a fascinating study from the Irish Journal of Medical Science examining spinal manipulation (we would like to see one looking at specific chiropractic care), brain chemistry, and comparing pre and post groups.

 

The randomized control trial involved 25 patients diagnosed with generalized, nonspecific low back pain. The group was divided into an active group (which received the manipulations) and the sham group (which received a fake manipulation).

 

The evaluations occurred before the study began and after the study concluded. Measurement included: Numerical Rating Scale, Oswestry Disability Index and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

 

It's important to remember that the latest data and model surrounding pain involve a Central Nerve System centered theme.

 

That means that antiquated pain models used to believe that the level of pain someone felt was directly proportional to the damage that occurred on the tissues.

 

Now we understand that pain is a personal response stemming from the Central Nerve System's interpretation of a multitude of factors.

 

• A general overview of the study, how it was performed, and the results.
• An interpretation of the results including a review of the current model used to explain the sensation of pain and the most up to date data and the current model of chiropractic.
• The difference between a manipulation and a chiropractic adjustment/correction.
• How these results translate into chiropractors saying crazy things.
• Why pain is much more complicated than we previously thought.
• Why chiropractic might be more applicable to more areas than originally thought.

 

Without a doubt, the most polarizing episodes we record are the random topic generator episodes.

 

Some of you love that you get to know us better, others are horrified that we'd think that way about a certain topic.

 

So why do it and should you listen?

 

Because, either way,  it's good entertainment value.

 

Have you ever heard of the Incredible Hulk? It has one of the most loyal readerships in comic book history. When Jack Kirby, the writer, decided to kill off the Green Hulk and replace him with the Grey Hulk (a smarter and more civilized Hulk), the audience was agitated to say it kindly.

 

As people grew to love the new version of the Hulk, Kirby decided it was time to bring back the savage green monster, again the audience was furious.

 

The point - whether happy or furious, the more they knew they wanted to know.

 

In this day and age of virtue signaling and social media posturing, we want you to know that we are who we say we are, and we believe the more you know about us (both good and bad), the more you'll want to know even if we are incredibly lame and boring.