The importance of the spine and nervous system in improving and maintaining health has been known for thousands of years in various forms. Recordings of spinal corrections being carried out, date back over 4000 years. The modern science and art of chiropractic began in the USA in 1895, when a man named D.D. Palmer, started investigating the relationship between spinal structure, movement, the nervous system and its overall effect on health.
Since then, Chiropractic has developed into one of the largest natural health care professions in the world, offering people a safe, natural and effective option; for their health. Chiropractic is a profession concerned with the diagnosis and management of mechanical disorders of the spine and the impact they may have on the nervous system and the general health of individuals.
History of Chiropractic:
In Europe during the 1800’s medical doctors shunned the art of “bone-setting” instead preferring to apply leeches and cauteries (hot irons) to the skin over tender spinal areas. But in 1867 a famous surgeon, Sir James Paget, recognised the evolving art with his article in the British Medical Journal entitled , ‘Cases That Bone-Setting Cures’ . In it he described the types of spinal manipulation known at the time. In the early part of the 20th century Germany enjoyed a thriving branch of manual medicine.
The “Discovery” – 1895:
The modern history of chiropractic began on September 18, 1895, in the small office of Daniel David Palmer, a teacher, magnetic healer, and founder of modern chiropractic. He was a self-educated man, (as many were around the turn of the century), with a thirst for knowledge. This led him to the study of magnetic healing, a hands on therapy practised by many medical practitioners of the era. D.D. Palmer opened his first medical practice in Burlington, Iowa in 1887. He later moved his office, which included a 14 room infirmary, to Davenport, Iowa.
It was on that warm September day that his ‘discovery’ took place. At the time Dr. Palmer was trying to understand the cause and effect of disease. In his building there was a janitor, Mr. Harvey Lillard. D.D. Palmer learned that 17 years earlier Mr. Lillard was bent over working and had felt something give in his back. He had suffered near complete hearing loss ever since. After much persuasion Mr. Lillard, allowed D.D. to examine his spine to see if anything could be done. D.D. discovered a “lump” on Mr. Lillard’s back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of “alignment” and “pinching” a nerve going to Mr. Lillard’s ears. With an admittedly unrefined chiropractic technique, D.D. adjusted the vertebra with a small thrust. Mr. Lillard was excited to hear noises from the street below. After several such treatments, Mr. Lillard’s hearing was completely restored.
Chiropractic was born!
To quote D.D. Palmer’s recollection of that day:
“An examination (of Harvey Lillard) showed a vertebra racked from its normal position. I reasoned that if that vertebra was replaced, the man’s hearing should be restored. With this object in view, a half-hour talk persuaded Mr. Lillard to allow me to replace it. I racked it into position by using the spinous process as a lever, and soon the man could hear as before. There was nothing accidental about this, as it was accomplished with an object in view, and the result expected was obtained. There was nothing crude about this adjustment; it was specific.”
This dramatic beginning caused much excitement. At first D.D. thought that he had discovered a cure for deafness. Numerous people flocked to get this “miracle” cure, and of course while very few would have their hearing restored many other conditions were noted to improve or heal entirely. People reported being cured of heart troubles, stomach complaints, skin conditions, headaches and sciatica.
D.D. Palmer was getting well known, far and wide, as the discoverer of a powerful new drugless way of curing people. One of D.D.’s earliest patients, a minister and Greek language scholar, is credited with creating the name “Chiropractic” for this new art and science of manipulation. He took the Greek words for ” hand ” (cheiros) and ” done by ” (pracktos) and put them together to create Chiropractic , meaning ” done by hand “.
As these “miracle” stories became commonplace, the controversy surrounding chiropractic began. Established medicine at the time was and still is, focused on blood and body chemistry, with drugs and surgery as means to alleviate disease. This new, natural method of healing was seen as a major threat.
In the early days, D.D. Palmer and many other chiropractors were convicted of practicing medicine without a license. D.D. spent 23 days in jail and had to pay $350. in fines (a great deal of money at that time). Many of the patients of jailed pioneer chiropractors, would pay the bail so they could continue to receive chiropractic care.
A year later, one of D.D.’s students, Shegataro Morikubo, was arrested for practicing medicine and surgery without a license in Wisconsin. In a landmark decision the judge and jury agreed that Morikubo was NOT practicing medicine but instead another form of healing called, CHIROPRACTIC.
Despite the initial opposition from the medical fraternity, chiropractic healing grew in popularity over the next fifty years, some say due to the relentlessness of D.D. Palmer’s son, B.J. Palmer.
In 1897, B.J. helped his father build Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer College of Chiropractic, developed into one of the largest chiropractic colleges in the United States. The college grew from 24 students in 1906 to 3,100 in 1923. B.J. Palmer died in 1961, after ensuring the success of chiropractic and dominance in the non-medicated healthcare field.
Today, you will find chiropractic colleges and practitioners spread throughout the world.
Chiropractic Today:
Today, there are over 35 chiropractic institutions throughout the world including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The increasing recognition and acceptance of chiropractic, is based on the strength of the growing body of scientific research and the positive results chiropractic care, has given to millions of satisfied people. Chiropractic is now the world’s third largest healthcare profession, the largest holistic approach, and one of the fastest growing.
The art and science of chiropractic is continually evolving and being further refined. Research continues to demonstrate, the benefits of Chiropractic care. Many techniques or ways to adjust the spine are now available, ranging from application of very light contacts, classic style adjustment and also instrument and table assisted delivery. Research is striving to affirm the underlying basis of how increased spinal motion, can improve neurological function and overall health and well-being. Chiropractic services around the world, are now covered under many government and health insurance policies and it is now even available in some hospitals. In Ireland, all major health insurers, have plans that cover Chiropractic care.
