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History
The history of the chiropractor dates back as far as 17,500 BC. Hippocrates believed that a misaligned spine contributed to the health of an individual. Modern day chiropractic goes back over 100 years, when the first adjustment was given by Dr. Daniel David Palmer on September 18, 1895.
Dr. Palmer, born in Canada in 1845, was very much interested in the healing art and first learned magnetic healing. This form of healing used the magnetism in the body. In 1886, Dr. Palmer opened his first office of magnetic healing in Burlington, Iowa. From there, he went on to open another office in Burlington, Iowa in 1887.
His interest was finding the cause and effect of sickness. He studied to discover what causes sickness and what effects sickness has on the human body. He would travel for miles to watch autopsies so that he could study the human body, what it looked like on the inside and how it worked.
He understood that the highway system of nerves was vitally important to the survival and health of each organ. He noticed that most of the nerves of the body have to pass through the spine, and that the spine has 24 vertebrae that can move and misalign. He wondered if a misaligned vertebra could pur pressure on a nerve and interfere with the communication between the brain and the part of the body supplied by that nerve.
The first chiropractic adjustment he gave in 1895 was performed on a man who had lost his hearing 17 years previously. Harvey Lillard reported to Dr. Palmer that at the time of losing his hearing, he had strained his back and had heard a noise in his back when this happened. Dr. Palmer palpated the spine of Harvey Lillard and found what is today known as a subluxation. Within minutes, Mr. Lillard was able to hear the sounds of the wagon wheels on the cobblestone streets outside. His hearing was restored.
This proved Dr. Palmer's theory that if the spine is aligned correctly, the nerve flow to all parts of the body will work correctly and, thus, the body will be healthy and free of disease. Dr. Palmer was excited to think that he may have discovered a cure for all sickness.
In 1897, Dr. Palmer opened his chiropractic school in Davenport, Iowa, calling it the Palmer Infirmary and Chiropractic Institute. The name was later changed in 1907 to Palmer School of Chiropractic. Today, it is called Palmer College of Chiropractic, and it is the Fountainhead of Chiropractic.
Criticism of this new healing technique came from many, especially the medical community, as it did not involve the traditional medical theory of health. For years, chiropractic was discredited, made fun of and even referred to as quackery. In fact, since medical care was the only form of healthcare at the time, many of the early chiropractors were put in jail for practicing medicine without a license. Some of it still goes on today, but, unfortunately, this is due to misunderstanding. Many people do not understand the concept of chiropractic and have only listened to the propaganda that's been broadcast.
In fact, there is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence to support the validity, safety and efficacy of chiropractic care. Studies have concluded that chiropractic care is safer than medical care, and costs much less. Worker's compensation studies have concluded that chiropractic care gets injured workers back to work faster and with less cost to insurance carriers and employers. All of the major insurance companies recognize chiropractic as a legitimate health care option.
"The doctor of the future will use on medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and exercise for the cause and prevention of disease."
Thomas A. Edison
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