Dr. Viggiani’s first experience with chiropractic was positive. He met a chiropractor named Dr. Vera Littlejohn who told him about chiropractic and that she could fix his knees. She also taught him about the human spine and about various aspects of health and wellness. She was able to adjust his spine and correct his knees,and eventually, Viggiani found himself able to play football again - he decided then that chiropractic was for him.

“I didn’t have that much confidence in myself in my early years, but I had a lot of confidence in chiropractic because it had helped me,”says Viggiani. “ I saw people getting better under chiropractor’s hands. This is such a wonderful thing we have and the most important thing is we don’t do harm - we just do good.”

All students visiting Dr. Viggiani’s office are inspired by the fact that every patient receives his full attention. His ability to stay focused is remarkable. His adjustments are masterfully done with precision and flawless execution.

“The chiropractic principal is just so all inclusive that what I would invite everybody to read the story of ‘That Something', chapter 1, 'Bigness of the Fellow Within', volume 22 by BJ Palmer” notes Viggiani. “The law of attraction is definitely at work there. I learned the ability to focus and to put my whole self into things from B.J.”

“The intensity of my desire to be of service is important. I am very thankful for the awakening that I had early in my career that, I don’t judge the situations that I find myself in. I just focus on putting my whole self into every patient’s care.”

“Jim Parker was a major influence in my life” continues Viggiani, “He’s taught me that loving service is my first technique and to to have faith, confidence and belief in my product, service and ideas.”

Humble beginnings

“When I first started practice I didn’t have goals, in that sense” recalls Viggiani. “I visualized people in a never-ending stream coming to me with problem cases and situations that they couldn’t solve. Serving those people and getting them better, that was my vision. I still search for more and better ways to help people.”

“It never entered my mind to be one of the best, because everything in service to humanity is doing the best you can with what you have, and I just did that. Put my whole self into my profession and career. I wasn’t looking for adulation, I wasn’t looking for position. I really wasn’t, I was really looking to be of service.”

“50 years ago it was necessary to educate people about the principals of chiropractic instead of about ourselves” says Viggiani, looking back to his early days. “We put the principal first and the patients first with patient lectures and still do. If patients don’t understand what we do, they’re forever looking after the symptoms and not beyond.”

What do patients want?

Dr Viggiani notes that, “The patients choose what’s important to them - for many it’s not important to be vibrantly healthy because there’s a certain amount of responsibility that goes with that.”

“I try to instill in people to make that choice, to take personal responsibility for their own well-being. Essentially, I just explain how the nervous system works. My staff explains the x-rays and they watched a video tape prior to me giving them the report of findings. I explain to them where their problems are and what needs to be done.”

“Patients just want to know four simple things:

1. What’s wrong with them?

2. Can I help them?

3. How long is it going to take?

1. How much it’s going to cost?”

“We explain to them the principals, each visit is educational.”

Chiropractic in the public eye

“In the political arena I learned that we haven’t focused on what we need to, or we would be seeing far more than two per cent of the population” notes Viggiani. “We haven’t told the big story or given them the big idea.”

“We need to do this through our licensing bodies” he continues. “They should be educating the public about what we do, our education and what chiropractors can accomplish.”

Dr. Viggiani feels that chiropractors do not just relieve pain, or just treat neck and back symptoms, but when they adjust the neck, that shoulder and arm problems, all kinds of things improve.

“Everybody sees changes in the organic structure,” he says, noting that a number of symptoms can be dealt with while under chiropractic care.

“We need a concerted effort to educate the public that today our education has become phenomenal and disclose our best kept secret - that we help sick people to get well.”

Life-long teacher and learner

“I still have the desire to serve - I enjoy what I do immensely,” says Viggiani. “I’m happiest in my office. I still like going to seminars and learning. When I’ve taught at any level, I enjoy that probably most of all, and the office gives me an opportunity to do just that.”

Dr Viggiani offers the following, for new graduates and young chiropractors: “For new grads, BJ Palmer said, 'Go where there’s backbone, especially your own.' All they have to do is to maintain the principals of what they do and they’ll be successful.”

“For the seasoned pros,” he continues, “keep on keeping on. Don’t lose the fire or let anybody dampen your dream, or put your fire out. Keep your dreams big.”

“I look at the bigger picture and I look at what I want to accomplish - and sometimes why haven’t I accomplished certain things. Usually it’s because I’ve been focusing on myself instead of focusing on the patient and on the service. I look at my practice, my life and my accomplishments and wonder why haven’t I done more.”

“If practice is not fun and the office is boring, that’s sad,” concludes Dr. Viggiani. “We have a lot of fun in our office. Sometimes you have some pretty serious situations to deal with, but it should still be fun. The sheer joy of being able to help those people, that’s fun.”

“We are healers; we either provide inspiration and healing to others, or something that is negative. Provide what is positive and right. Dr. Bill Bayan says ‘The creative process always begins with what is right in life’.”

“It’s wonderful to be a chiropractor. Chiropractic encompasses so much in health, but life encompasses chiropractic. Another of my mentors said, ‘The truth is true and all is well. Unconquerable life prevails. So, better that we dance life’s tune or we don’t dance at all’.”