The Subluxation Specific — the Adjustment Specific : an exposition of the cause of all dis-ease

“Holding the Adjustment: Why Dr. B.J. Palmer Changed Chiropractic”

In Section 5 of the IN8 THOTS Green Book Series, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores one of the most transformative concepts introduced by Dr. B.J. Palmer: holding the adjustment.

This episode examines how Dr. B.J. Palmer shifted chiropractic philosophy away from repeated adjusting and toward the idea that the true objective of chiropractic is not simply delivering an adjustment, but helping the body stabilize and maintain the correction over time.

Dr. Joe discusses the neurological significance of “holding,” the relationship between adaptation and stress, and why Dr. B.J. Palmer became increasingly focused on specificity, timing, restraint, and upper cervical chiropractic. The episode also explores how the nervous system adapts following a specific adjustment and why chiropractic philosophy emphasizes function and adaptability rather than symptom chasing alone.

Topics include neurological stabilization, Innate Intelligence, stress adaptation, upper cervical philosophy, the body’s healing capacity, specificity versus force, and the evolving role of the chiropractor as a facilitator of improved neurological function.

A foundational episode for chiropractors, students, patients, and anyone interested in the deeper philosophy behind specific chiropractic care and the body’s remarkable ability to adapt and heal.

The Subluxation Specific — the Adjustment Specific : an exposition of the cause of all dis-ease

“Vertebral Subluxation: More Than a Bone Out of Place”

In Section 4 of the IN8 THOTS Green Book Series, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores one of the most foundational and controversial concepts in chiropractic philosophy: vertebral subluxation.

This episode examines how Dr. B.J. Palmer viewed vertebral subluxation not simply as a bone “out of place,” but as altered neurological communication affecting the body’s ability to adapt and function properly. Dr. Joe discusses the relationship between the spine, nervous system, posture, movement, and adaptability, while explaining why Dr. B.J. Palmer believed specificity and precise correction were central to chiropractic care.

Topics include neurological interference, stress adaptation, mechanoreceptor input, posture and brain-body communication, upper cervical philosophy, and why chiropractic focuses on function rather than symptom chasing alone.

This episode also explores how vertebral subluxation shaped the identity of chiropractic and why the concept continues to influence modern discussions surrounding nervous system function, spinal mechanics, and specific chiropractic care.

A foundational discussion for chiropractors, students, patients, and anyone interested in the deeper philosophical principles behind chiropractic and neurological adaptability.

Green Book Series Section 3 of 8 The Subluxation Specific — the Adjustment Specific : an exposition of the cause of all dis-ease

“Innate Intelligence and the Power Within”

In Section 3 of the IN8 THOTS Green Book Series, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores one of the most foundational and debated concepts in chiropractic philosophy: Innate Intelligence.

This episode examines how Dr. B.J. Palmer viewed the body as an organized, self-regulating system constantly adapting, healing, and coordinating through the nervous system. Dr. Joe discusses the meaning behind the famous chiropractic principle, “The power that made the body heals the body,” and explains how chiropractic philosophy emphasizes reducing interference rather than simply chasing symptoms.

Topics include neurological communication, adaptation, stress, healing capacity, vertebral subluxation, the body’s organizational intelligence, and why specificity and nervous system function became central to chiropractic philosophy.

This episode also explores the relationship between Innate Intelligence, modern neurophysiology, and the chiropractor’s role in facilitating better function through specific adjustments.

A thought-provoking discussion for chiropractors, students, patients, and anyone interested in the philosophical foundations of chiropractic and the body’s remarkable ability to adapt and heal.

Stay specific. Stay connected. And think from above-down, inside-out.

Green Book Series Section 2 of 8

The Subluxation Specific — the adjustment specific : an exposition of the cause of all dis-ease

“The Nervous System: The Master System”

In Section 2 of the IN8 THOTS Green Book Series, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores why Dre. B.J. Palmer considered the nervous system to be the master coordinating system of the body and the central focus of chiropractic philosophy.

This episode examines how chiropractic was designed not merely around the spine, but around communication within the nervous system and the body’s ability to adapt, heal, and function. Dr. Joe discusses vertebral subluxation as neurological interference rather than simply bones “out of place,” and explains why chiropractic philosophy emphasizes function and adaptability over symptom chasing alone.

Topics include Innate Intelligence, stress adaptation, neurological coordination, the body’s remarkable organization, and why Dr. B.J. Palmer believed specificity and nervous system function were essential to the future of chiropractic.

A foundational episode for chiropractors, students, patients, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and human adaptability.

Stay specific. Stay connected. And think from above-down, inside-out.

Green Book Series — Section 1 of 8

The Subluxation Specific — the Adjustment Specific : an exposition of the cause of all dis-ease

“Why Specific Matters”

In this episode of the IN8 THOTS Green Book Series, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores the foundational chiropractic principle of specificity and why B.J. Palmer believed the future of chiropractic depended on precise analysis and precise adjustments.

This episode discusses the evolution of chiropractic philosophy from symptom-based thinking toward neurological function, adaptability, and the concept of vertebral subluxation as interference within the nervous system. Dr. Joe explains why B.J. Palmer emphasized that “it is more important that the adjustment be specific than that it be forceful,” and how that idea transformed chiropractic history.

Topics include Innate Intelligence, nervous system coordination, adaptation, holding adjustments, upper cervical philosophy, and why chiropractic was designed to focus on function rather than simply chasing symptoms.

A foundational episode for chiropractors, students, patients, and anyone interested in the timeless principles behind specific chiropractic care.

Stay specific. Stay connected. And think from above-down, inside-out.

Why the Green Books Still Matter

In the Introductory episode of IN8 THOTS, Dr. Joe Sheppard explores why the Palmer Green Books continue to influence chiropractors more than a century after they were written.

This episode dives into the foundational philosophy behind chiropractic and the timeless ideas introduced by B.J. Palmer, including Innate Intelligence, vertebral subluxation, neurological interference, adaptability, and the principle that “the power that made the body heals the body.”

Dr. Joe discusses why chiropractic was never intended to be merely symptom-based care, but rather a philosophy centered around nervous system function, adaptation, and specific correction.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why the Green Books still matter today

• The philosophy behind specific chiropractic

• The meaning of vertebral subluxation

• Innate Intelligence and organized healing

• Why symptoms alone may not define health

• The nervous system’s role in adaptation and function

• The evolution of “The Subluxation Specific — The Adjustment Specific”

• Why B.J. Palmer emphasized precision over force

• How specificity shaped modern chiropractic philosophy

This episode also introduces the upcoming Green Book series, where we will study and discuss major chiropractic principles including:

• Universal Intelligence

• The safety pin cycle

• Tone

• Upper cervical philosophy

• Holding adjustments

• Specific analysis

• Neurological adaptability

• And the evolution of chiropractic philosophy from above-down, inside-out

Whether you’re a chiropractor, chiropractic student, patient, or someone curious about the foundational principles behind chiropractic care, this episode invites you to think deeper about health, healing, and the nervous system.

Open the Green Books. Clear your thoughts. And think from Above-Down, Inside-Out.

Hosted by Dr. Joe Sheppard.