We all love the satisfactory sound of small gas bubbles escaping our joints during an adjustment, the increased range of motion, and reduced pain following. But have you wondered where this practice originated from? The roots are traced back to as early as 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in writings found in China and Greece. The writings acknowledge spinal manipulation and attempting to alleviate back pain.
In 1895, D.D. Palmer founded the profession of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was fascinated and knowledgeable with anatomy and was known as a “magnetic healer.” His philosophy was to aid in improving the health of others by manipulating the spine and allowing the spinal nerves to work as they were intended to.
Within that same year, D.D. Palmer, and his son B.J. Palmer, published provocative writings that were viewed as controversial and were disapproved by other medical professionals and citizens. During this timeframe, the cultural norms of medical “treatment” were tobacco enemas, bloodletting, and leeches. Palmer’s investigation theorized that manipulation of the spine (adjustment) could have a healthful effect on the body. Palmer’s first patient was Harvey Lillard. Harvey was born able to hear but reported hearing a “pop” in his neck some time prior, resulting in total hearing loss. Palmer recognized spinal deficiencies on Harvey and performed an adjustment that miraculously restored his hearing! Initially, Palmer believed he found the cure for deafness, however, no other deaf patient was noted to have their hearing restored. However, he began noticing many other improvements with the patient’s ailments, which furthered his studies with manipulating the spine.
In 1897, D.D. Palmer founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic. At this time, education to become a chiropractic practitioner only took a few months and the cost was comparable to being a chiropractic patient!
From 1925-1950, the public continued to challenge chiropractic philosophies and the profession altogether. This era pushed for education advancements, licensure ushering for chiropractic Doctors, and to legitimize the profession via federal recognition. Chiropractors were initially jailed for practicing medicine without a license until Chiropractic was recognized as its own health profession.
Acceptance was eventually granted, but not without years of political activism, campaigning, and litigation. Organized medicine continued to construct a negative view on this “alternative medicine” style. Now chiropractic is licensed in every State and in countries around the world. Now it’s publicly viewed as mainstream medical care that can help manage an array of conditions.