They Don't Really Want to be Healers

Over the last 20 years, my area's "alternative medicine" community has been growing. First came the chiropractors, then massage therapists, then an acupuncturist or two. They all were followed by more of their various professions.

I believe alternative medicine has its place in healing. I have had good results from acupuncture. I see a chiropractor regularly for a slipping rib, which she routinely puts back into place so I can breathe again. For a long time I saw a massage therapist and that, too, was helpful.

However, I recently reached a conclusion that a number of these practitioners don't really want to be healers. Or, perhaps I should say, they only want to serve a particular clientele.

I don't fall into the category of people they want to help.

I say this because if these folks really wanted to heal sick people, they wouldn't set up their offices in inaccessible places, like the second floors of buildings where people who can't climb stairs for whatever reason can't reach them.

They wouldn't set up offices in old, musty moldy buildings where people with asthma or allergies can't go.

They wouldn't bring their dogs and cats to their offices. They wouldn't burn stinky candles. They wouldn't smell like kitty litter or cigarette smoke.

They wouldn't wear perfumes.

All of these things bother someone who is environmentally sensitive. And if you're having any problems with your legs, you certainly can't get up a flight of stairs.

If you are providing a service to the public, you should not greatly inconvenience someone who is paying you $120.

Your place should be easily accessible and clean. Your clients or patients or whatever you call them should feel secure in the knowledge that you change the sheets between visitors and you don't use the same blanket without washing it.

If you own an animal and can't bear to leave it alone long enough for you to go work, then I suggest you put it in puppy preschool or kitty college, or hire a sitter. Or stay home and take care of it. If the animal is more important to you than the people who are paying you for help, then to be honest, you're not somebody I want to be seeing anyway.

If you profess to be healing and helping people, then the people you say you want to help are supposed to come first. Period. I'm paying good money and I am there because you claim you can help me. It is not about your ego, your value system, or your "special abilities." It's about my health.

I am not asking for a sterile environment, just an accessible facility and clean and breathable air. I do not think that it is unreasonable for me to expect that from someone who claims to care about my health.

I know it can be done because some of the people I've seen have managed it. These people understand and truly are healers who want to serve. However, they certainly seem to be in a minority, and very difficult to find.