The Fallacy of 'One Size Fits All' in Science

Non-therapeutic chiropractic (NTC) is unique in that aims to trust the body to control its own balance of function normal to that particular individual. Instead of forcing a symptom relief or health outcome, it aims to maximize the body's control of it's own highly individualized self-ordering mechanisms. It seeks to do this by maintaining neuro-spinal connections that the innate intelligence of the body uses to maintain the highly individualized balance of body chemistry, hormones, and function. Though the general chiropractic spinal correction technique (ie drop table adjusting) is most frequently the same member to member, muscle palpation-based detection allows the body to dictate what segment, what direction, and what amount of force the non-therapeutic chiropractor uses.

However, much of science today aims to artificially manipulate or "treat" nature to force a change or desired outcome. reliance on averages can misguide treatment approaches. The commonly cited average human body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but that number doesn't account for individual differences. When a person hits 99.3 degrees, they might be told they have a fever and need medication to return to "normal." Yet, this perspective fails to recognize that everyone is unique. This blog post examines the limitations of standardized conclusions and underscores the need for our own bodies to ideally to make their own personalized healthcare solutions.

The Average Human Temperature: A Flawed Benchmark

The concept of an “average” human body temperature is often misleading. Temperatures can normally range between 97°F and 100.4°F depending on factors like age, time of day, and activity level. A 2020 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association noted that only 18% of individuals in a sample population had body temperatures close to the average benchmark of 98.6°F.

This range highlights that what is considered normal for one person can indicate a problem for another. For children, for instance, a temperature of 100.4°F can prompt a diagnosis of fever, while an adult may experience similar temperatures with no significant health risks. Such a rigid outlook can result in misdiagnosis, missed illness, and ineffective treatments.

The Implications of Inductive Reasoning in Clinical Practice

Inductive reasoning is a useful tool for forming scientific hypotheses, but overemphasis on averages can lead to standardized treatment protocols that overlook individual differences. When prescribing medications, doctors often base their decisions on population-wide data rather than a patient’s unique health profile.

For example, a study in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that nearly 70% of patients exhibited varying responses to the same dosage of a common blood pressure medication. Factors like genetic variations, existing health conditions, and lifestyle choices heavily influence how drugs are metabolized. A treatment effective for one person might be entirely unsuitable for another.

Shifting the focus from generalization to an understanding of how our "normal" is often individual and specific to us.

The Tailoring Argument: Time for Customized Self-regulation

Just as fashion recognizes that everyone has different body shapes, science must acknowledge that people have unique physiological needs. Imagine if clothing manufacturers had a "one-size-fits-all" sizing dependent on averages. My 6 month old might have a hard time fitting into a my farm muck boots! You would likely end up with ill-fitting clothing—just as patients often receive treatments that do not suit them.

Putting the focus on the bodies own self-regulation to fit individual needs can significantly improve the order in our bodies. Improving the mechanisms and in particular the nervous systems regulation follows the example of tailored sizes of shoes and clothing. By understanding we are not all a petri dish or a test tube in a lab--there are nearly un-ending factors like genetic information, lifestyle, and environmental factors, and the most effective treatment plan is the one the body designs for itself.

Average versus Normal

Over reliance on average measures in science overlooks one important fact: each individual is different. While averages can provide initial insight, they should not put the emphasis on dictating the inner workings of the body always from the outside. As our understanding of human biology advances, the science is adapting to understand that alongside medicine and even surgery, we must see the body's own self-treatment and healing mechanisms enhanced. At the center of this self-regulation is of course the nervous system, and spinal care is always a wise practice regardless of what medical treatments might be occurring.

The future of science lies in acknowledging our uniqueness. Just as we require clothes that fit our specific bodies, our approach to a wise life should also adapt to meet the nuances of our individual journeys. Non-therapeutic chiropractic (NTC) fills the gap. It is unique in that aims to trust the body to control its own balance of function normal to each particular individual. Instead of forcing a symptom relief or health outcome, it aims to maximize the body's control of it's own highly individualized self-ordering mechanisms. It seeks to do this by maintaining neuro-spinal connections that the innate intelligence of the body uses to maintain the highly individualized balance of body chemistry, hormones, and function. Embrace the intricacies that define us all, and maximizing your own neuro-spinal connections with regular chiropractic checks to maximize our bodies internal regulation for better body and brain order.

One size fits all, anyone? What if we gave room for our own nervous system to be better connected, on the job, and self-regulating for more of our lives?