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THIS ISSUE:
90th
Anniversary
Swedish Institute on-line newsletter for our students, faculty and community.
Valerio Pasqua, D.C.
Class of 1947
Just nineteen and back from a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Germany, young Valerio Pasqua
was eager to learn. Helped by the G.I. Bill, which would cover the cost of any licensed school
in his state, he chose the Swedish Institute School of Physiotherapy. The year was 1946. A year
later, he graduated from the program and supported himself as a massage therapist while he
continued his studies at chiropractic school.
"It was more than massage," Dr. Pasqua recalled about the program of study at the Swedish Institute.
"It was called 'physical culture' and included principles of exercise, right diet, and clean living.
It was a holistic approach." Living by those principles ever since has rewarded Dr. Pasqua with
health as well as prosperity. When he returned to visit the school in 2003, he was a vibrant 77
years old, and still practicing three days a week as a chiropractor. In addition to his successful
practice, he had served in the past as a trustee of the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca
Falls, and past chairman of the Chiropractic Board of the State of New York.
Nights on Broadway
During the late 1940's, as he developed a massage therapy practice, Dr. Pasqua found himself with
a star-studded clientele. His notoriety as a titled weightlifter (including Mr. New York City and
Mr. New York State) had provided him with connections to famous people in the music business,
including singers and songwriters who are American icons. Needless to say, his clients were not
morning people.
He recalled one particular Broadway songwriter, a man Dr. Pasqua called his "night client."
"He would call late in the day and say, 'Val, I don't feel so good tonight. Can you come by
after dinner, around 10?' This particular client had a hotel suite with a room that had a
fireplace, a massage table and exercise equipment. I'd generally finish with him around midnight,
then get up in the morning and see another client before going to chiropractic school. Those days
I got by on four to five hours of sleep a night."
Though the glamorous attractions of Broadway were tempting, Dr. Pasqua resisted them and completed
his studies at the Chiropractic Institute of New York (now the New York Chiropractic College).
He became a chiropractic doctor (D.C.) and played an important role in the movement to license
chiropractors in New York State, which occurred in 1967.
Massage: Art or science?
To the question of whether massage is an art or science Dr. Pasqua responded, "Healing of any
kind is always going to be more of an art than a science. Because in math or chemistry, the equation always has to come out the same way. You get the same answer every time. That's the
science.
"But in medicine, the process is always different. A person goes to five different practitioners
with the same condition and will get five different treatments. Practitioners may follow certain
rules, but there will always be a subjective element. Even if you have the same exact protocol,
there are variables such as how heavy or how light is the touch, is it fast or slow, rhythmical
or abrupt? And of course, there's the interpersonal factor. Some doctors get patients halfway
healed just by talking to them. Isn't it true?"
Photos
Top: Class of 1947, with Valerio Pasqua highlighted in the fourth row,
fifth from left.
Center: Valerio Pasqua in 2003 during a visit to the school.
Bottom: Dr. Pasqua speaks with Shiatsu instructor Reggie Ceaser and school
president Paula J. Eckardt.
All photos in the newsletter not otherwise specified are by Barbara Goldschmidt and are the
property of the Swedish Institute ©2006.